[ot] mousies

[ms]

My mousie died.

It's a MS IntelliPoint, and I liked it very much; now that I need a replacement, I thought I'd see what others are using as a pointing device.

I can't use a track ball. Tried it, just fustrates me. And I like the multi-button placements on the MS mouse although I imagine I would lean to like a different configuration. I'm using the Apple mouse, and the thing I like about it is the low audible 'click' sound that it makes.

So, what is in YOUR hand right now? What are you using, and why? and if you are using a track pad, which one?

ms

[Derek]

I have a Logitech MX700 Cordless Optical Mouse that I purchased not long ago with the matching Cordless Elite Keyboard (they came as a set).

I find it really nice to use. It feels nice in the hand as is very precise.

The main left and right buttons are hidden under the top jacket so your two fingers effectively rest along the buttons. This makes it fit a wide range of hand sizes.

It also has a recess on the left side for your thumb and a lip on the right for your other fingers to grip. These make it easy to hold and your thumb rests on the mouse instead of sliding on the desk. These also make it easy to pickup if you have to do the 'lift and place' shuffle.

The batteries are rechargeable (2x AA NiMH) that recharge when you put the mouse in the cradle which is also the radio receiver.

Because of its highly customised shape, the MX700 would not be practical for a left handed person. It doesn't fit in the hand nicely and the two thumb buttons are inaccessible. I don't know if Logitech make a left hand version or not.

It's the best mouse I've used and my tethered, four button Kensington mouse is now just a toy for my 1 year old son (with the ball removed).

Derek

[CJH]

I think the Logitech MX500 corded mouse and MX700 cordless are the best mice out there-the scroll wheel and buttons are much smoother than the Kensington and others, which feel cheap. Using USB Overdrive to set key commands to the mouse buttons gives you a very powerfull drawing tool-with 7 buttons and the scroll wheel you can assign your most used tools to a mouse button, and zoom in now/zoom out to the scroll wheel.
The Logitech Di Novo Bluetooth keyboard and mouse are very nice, but need a plug in hub in order to be able to assign mouse buttons. Once there are drivers that enable this to work without the hub, this will be the perfect mouse for use with the new Powerbooks with built in Bluetooth.

[ms]

I picked up the LogiTech MX700, and experimenting with the button assignments. I was wondering how you guys have used the button assignments?

ms

[the thing is a little small for my hands but I am getting used to it].

[CJH]

Use USB Overdrive so that you can assign mouse buttons to key commands that are set in PowerCadd to drawing tools. Getting this all to work was a huge productivity boost.
I use:
Left button =left click
right button =constrained line tool
Middle (scroll wheel)=Pan tool
Roll scroll wheel up=zoom in now
Roll scroll wheel down=zoom out now
Button in front of scroll wheel=trim and extend
Button behind scroll wheel=text tool
Back most button=find layer
Front thumb button=Delete tool
Back thumb button=enter
With this set up, drawing becomes very fluid as you navigate the drawing and select tools with your fingers, and de-select them with the back thumb button. I'd like to be able to set up a contextual menu for the right button in which I would have additional drawing tools.

[ms]

thanks, I'll try it. I never liked the zoom in now feature tied to the mouse wheel, but I'll give it a try, and your other assignments include ones that I would not have thought of.

Thanks.

ms