Are you still using the mouse and keyboard that came with your computer? Or maybe you’ve tried something new but you’ve got some nagging RSI strain, cords tangled everywhere or a lagging mouse that’s left you unjustly fragged into oblivion? If your mouse and keyboard aren’t working for you, it’s time to buy new ones. Here are the things you’ll want to keep in mind as you shop. More »
We’ve sung the praises of Sugru mouldable silicone on more than one occasion. Instructables user gmjhowe shows us yet another great use: reinvigorating the grip on an old, worn gaming mouse. More »
Windows only: TeamPlayer allows you to use multiple mice and keyboards on a Windows based system. Under normal circumstances you can plug multiple USB mice in, but moving the two simultaneously will result in Windows struggling to decide which input to use for the single cursor on the screen. TeamPlayer is designed for a group environment where multiple people will be interacting with the same computer. Each mouse is assigned a unique coloured cursor to identify it. When testing on my system my primary PS/2 mouse was assigned red, and the secondary USB mouse was assigned blue. There are two small caveats with Teamplayer:
Last week, my regular Road Worrier column looked at ways to travel more effectively while still using a mouse. Readers pitched in with suggestions for additional options, but one that no-one suggested was an older technology: the trackball. It was only spotting someone on a train today with a trackball rested on her leg that made me reconsider this option. While I think I’d still prefer to know a decent set of keyboard shortcuts, the trackball does eliminate the problem of needing a mousing surface. The other concept that’s emerged this week is the clickable glass trackpad on the new MacBooks. Even leaving aside the excessively high pricetag and my general lack of enthusiasm for all things Mac (and multi-touch), this seems like an impractical choice to me: the last thing you want in your travel machine is another component that can shatter. But even if Apple seems to believe that this is the only solution any Mac user will need, it’s good to have more choices out there — if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that different users like different input options, so bring ‘em on. More »
