Pointing Devices

Pointing Devices
Traditional MouseWith the advent of graphical user interfaces, the mouse now comes standard with nearly every computer. The most common variety is an oval/oblong design, with one or two buttons, and is generally symmetrical.Contoured MousesThese devices are generally contoured to fit the hand; they may curve slightly, have an elevated base to support the wrist, or feature recessed areas to fit the thumb or fingers.TrackballsTrackballs are stationary devices that use a small, rolling ball to move the cursor onscreen. They're operated by your thumb or fingers instead of your arm, thus reducing the distance your shoulder must travel (thus they're often a welcome alternative for people experiencing mouse-related arm or shoulder pain). Since they're stationary, trackballs also require less desk space than a traditional mouse. Many trackballs come with multiple buttons that can be assigned keystrokes to help reduce keyboard use.TouchpadsTouchpads (sometimes called "glide pads") are small squares that sense the position of your finger on them, and then move the cursor accordingly. First introduced on laptops, touchpads are now available for desktop use as well. Since they require less force to operate, they may help reduce stress on your fingers and hands. TabletsFunctionally similar to touchpads, Tablets are larger surfaces designed to let you use a pen-type device or a puck to move the cursor and draw onscreen. Commonly used by graphic artists, designers, CAD operators or architects to draw their designs directly into the computer, Tablets can also provide a welcome change from mousing. They may additionally help reduce the elbow and shoulder motions normally associated with mousing.Foot-Operated MousesLooking like the pedals on a car, these devices let you control the position of your cursor with your feet. Generally, one side will control the cursor's position, while the other is used to "click". For people already experiencing wrist or hand pain, these devices can help eliminate repetitive stress motions on the hands.