Operating a mouse or trackpad is super easy, but behind their simple exteriors these intuitive input devices hide a whole host of shortcuts and extra features that aren't immediately obvious - and if you don't already know about them, you're missing out. Here are our favourites.
Size does matter, because if you can make a mouse the size of an elephant - it'll explode.
Mice are simultaneously cute and some of the most horrendous pests of all time. If you're dealing with a minor infestation, these tips will help you reclaim your castle from the enemy invaders.
Last summer my parent's home had a rodent infestation. "Just set mouse traps," people told me. If only it were that easy. It turns out there are better and improved methods to bait and set traps to increase the odds of catching those gross, slippery critters.
Mice may look cute and fuzzy, but in reality, their presence means stress, chewed furniture, and a fire hazard because they can gnaw on electrical wiring in your walls. And the worst part? They poo and pee all over your stuff. Yeah, it's gross. Not to mention that rodents in general are harbingers of many diseases. They're also very clever, resourceful, and difficult to get rid of.
Video: If you find yourself with an uninvited mouse guest and want a humane solution to catch the critter, you can easily make a non-lethal trap with just a soft drink bottle mounted on a pivot.
Once upon a time, Logitech's MX Revolution was the most popular mouse around, and with good reason: It was comfortable, customisable, and its "momentum scrolling" is a lifesaver. Now, it has three successors, all of which are a bit different: The Performance MX, the new and powerful MX Master and the gaming-focused G502 Proteus Core. Here's how they compare.
The Logitech MX Master wireless mouse is ergonomic, packed with features to help you get work done, and it's the latest in a long line of great mice. Logitech's MX Revolution and Performance MX mice are two of the most popular, well-loved mice of the past decade, including by most of us here at Lifehacker. The Logitech MX Master is the newest successor to this series of mice, and it's even more awesome.
The problem with the Raspberry Pi is that it doesn't come with a keyboard, mouse and monitor so you can use it as a computer. Adafruit solves most of that with the Computer Add-On Pack.
That wheel in the middle of your mouse is good for more than just scrolling -- in fact, the button can do quite a bit. Here are some of the oft-ignored shortcuts built into the middle mouse button.
Many computer games ask a lot of your mouse finger. There's only so much rapid-fire clicking you can do on your own. If you find yourself with an aching finger, this DIY rapid-fire mouse button hack might be just the thing.
If your wireless mouse feels like it's constantly running out of juice, weblog Digital Inspiration has some tips for keeping it alive as long as possible. One of the more interesting tips? Use a lightly coloured mouse pad.
Picking the best mouse is a personal decision, but there are some stand-out models that are more likely than others to be recommended. This week we're taking a look at five of the best desktop mice.
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.
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.
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.
