From: gettys@regent.enet.dec.com (Bob Gettys)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Portable pointing devices
Date: 1 Sep 92 03:05:54 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <18170040@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com>, deanc@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Dean Cashen) writes...
>In comp.sys.laptops / Guy_Saffold@mindlink.bc.ca (Guy Saffold):
> 
>> I've followed the discussion of Logitech Trackman portable mouse with
>> interest.  I just bought two of these units and find there are problems
>> with both.   . . .
>>
>>       . . .           Anybody have any good experience with the
>> Trackman portable?
> 
>As I posted earlier, it's hard for me to use a mouse for any length
>of time because I'm getting old & defective; my wrist hurts using
>one.  I was kinda hoping to go with the Logitech Trackman portable mouse
>because of the design; I've played around with them some and it seems
>like a reasonable alternative to a mouse.  So, I'm disappointed in hearing
>the net's problems with the Trackman portable.
> 
>Let me second Guy's question: anyone have luck with the Trackman portable?
>Or, should I stay away and find another pointing device?  If so, anyone
>find one that gives you similar control that a "real" mouse gives
>you?
> 
>Dean Cashen
>-- Boise
> 
>(Oh, and to Edgar, who I snapped at a bit with my "solution to world
>hunger" line: my apologies.  I've been grumpy of late.  Maybe it's my
>aching wrist ;-).  See what these mice do to people?  Is this a version
>of the "Twinky Defense?")


	My experience with the Logitech Portable is that it is the better of
the ones currently available. It is easier to use than the Microsoft. I've had
both and got rid of the Microsoft in very short order. Even though, they are
both compromises and very different in usability than a mouse. I only use the
trackman when I need the portabilty/attachement combo. If I am going to be
doing eveen semi-serious work with pointing on the laptop system, I also carry
a Logitech First mouse (it's small and has the exact same interface as the
trackman so that I don't need to change drivers). 

	What ever you choose, there is a definite difference in how you work
with any trackball vs how you work with a mouse. The basic concept of doing
something DOES change!

	One the Logitech Trackman. When I first saw one at a show a year ago, I
thought the idea was great, but the implementation was horrible. It was rough,
and wouldn't move the cursor smoothly. I talked to the people at the booth
(Logitech) and found out that they knew it and were working to fix it. I have
since acquired two of the Logitech Trackman Portables (one with a machine as
part of the package and one another way) and they have vastly improved the
feel. If someone has one of the very early ones out, it may not be right, but
the better ones have been shipping for a long time now. It does require a
semi-light touch to work well. Squeezing the ball has a tendency to make it
"sticky" in its movement. The original one I tried at the show wouldn't even
respond correctly to the light touch!

	For comparison, the Microsoft one I tried showed far more "stickyness"
and the dual buttons on the side proved very hard to use individually. The
Logitech style of putting the main button on the side and the other two on the
"front" (ball side) seems to be a better method.

	Boils down to what works for you. But I would try the Logitech first.

	/s/	Bob Gettys