Computer mouse

[marion29]

Apart from techno nerds(sorry!)most people I know at workor otherwise seem to have hassles/problems using a mouse. Why was this invented and why couldn't some clever clogs come up with a better way of doing what you need to do on the screen? Before anyone says it,I admit I am a 44 year old technophobe and barely tolerate technology, especially computers, but have no choice in using them for work etc!

[Piper-AK]

What sort of problems?  The only one I can think of is when the roller bars that are in contact with the ball don't work properly so you can't move the cursor on the screen properly.  This is normally down to dirt build up on the bars, or damage due to banging the mouse really hard on the mat because it wont work properly (a catch 22 situation).  Optical mouses should sort this problem, I think?

[Buenchico]

Odd!

I work alongside both technical whizz-kids and total technophobes. The only thing which I've never known anyone have a problem with is a mouse! (If you're not using a decent quality infra-red mouse, then it's time to change!).

I accept, however, that there might be some people who'd rather have a different device. There's been one around for years (since 1978) - it's called a trackball.

Chris

[theren_911]

You could always petition your bosses for a touchscreen monitor, of course, that's even more "Techy" than a mouse :D

I also heard that some scientist was developing an eye operated mouse, anyone else heard of that?

[OBonio]

Trackballs and graphics tablets are alternatives. I like tablets, but are a little cumbersome in comparison to mice. A keyboard combined with a tablet would be good...

[ianess]

Piper-AK is spot on about the build-up of gunge from the roller ball.  Undo 2 screws, open it up, clean out the innards then reassemble.  Any problems should be solved.  You could of course clean the mouse-mat at the same time.