Issue 29.13
Almost everyone uses a mouse with their computer, often even when there is an alternative available. Many laptop users add a wireless or wired mouse to their computer because they are not comfortable with the small touchpad near the keyboard. That flexibility and choice is one of the great things about computers – there are usually a number of ways to do the things you want to do.
Among the alternatives, the touch pad is the most used. Standard on most laptops, some keyboards for desktops have a touchpad included. They often have additional features such as using two fingers to zoom in and out and the ability to tap the pad which mimics the buttons on the mouse. You can also buy separate touchpads that are larger and have more features. No matter the size, it is a good idea to read the manual since there may be some cool features you are not taking advantage of. On laptops there is also often an on/off switch to disable the touchpad if you prefer. My wife does this because she finds that sometimes the pad interprets her thumb brushing the surface as a “click” which moves her cursor or starts a process she didn’t intend.
A related item are the “art” pads which are usually 5-10 inches in size and are often used with a stylus. These are usually a specialty item for people who do computer art or photo editing. Experienced users are able to create some pretty amazing artwork with these units attached. They can also do most or all of the same things your laptop touchpad can do. The biggest company in this area is Wacom. They have a number of different sizes and types of these pads including “pens” that work on almost any surface without an actual pad. There are a number of other companies doing similar things including Adesso, PenPower, AceCad and VisTablet. Prices run from around $50 to $300.
Trackballs are like stationary mice. The buttons are similar but there is a ball mounted in the unit which you move with your hand which in turn moves the pointer around the screen. These are especially nice if you have limited desk space or if the space is always cluttered (like mine is). They are pretty easy to get used to and I like the fact that I can “spin” the ball to move quickly to the edge of the screen. These price out in the $40 to $60 range and are a little hard to find, but can be easily ordered online or through computer stores or dealers.
The other option is a wide field that falls in the heading of “presenter”. These are pointer controllers that you hold in your hand. As you tip or move your hand the pointer on the screen follows your motion. The buttons on these units can be used like mouse buttons or they can be set to turn pages in presentations so you can stand back and manipulate projected content on large screens. It works the same on your smaller screen and some of these come with special add-ons such as a laser pointer or a trackball built in. There are many variations available with presenters so see which are most important to you. They range from $40-$200 and are available at most outlets like Best Buy, Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot.
It’s fun to have options – just remember to back up anything that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 30 years, 20 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or through his website at www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.