23 Jan
2023
23 Jan
'23
6:10 p.m.
On Jan 23, 2023, at 12:56 PM, Liam Proven via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2023 at 00:00, Ali via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Clearly what we have in this discussion is "different strokes for different
folks".
I once had a laptop with a small trackball in the front edge. It was somewhat tolerable
on the desk, not so much on the lap.
I also once had an IBM laptop with the "eraser stick" thingie in the middle of
the keyboard. I turned it back in after a few weeks and demanded some other model, any
model so long as it didn't have that device.
Personally, I like trackpads. But my wife doesn't. And clearly there are lots of
opinions. Pick what you like, don't be surprised if others have different
preferences.
Are large trackballs (with balls the size of a golfball or larger) still around? I
remember a few people around the office that had one. I also remember seeing all the air
traffic controller stations at the local FAA control center equipped with such trackballs.
That made some sense, it allows the operator to work in a confined space without having
to worry about keeping a clear desk surface. That was before touchpads were invented,
1990s I think.
I am the exact opposite. I love my track point.
Agreed.
Trackpads are tolerable, but I preferred the era of trackballs. But if
my laptop is on my actual lap, I turn off the trackpad and just use
the trackpoint. Easier, less arm and hand movement, keeps your hands
on the keyboard, and generally less hassle. I find it interesting watching people using trackpads.
Most don't know
*how* to use them effectively.
The core trick is that you should only move your fingertip for large
pointer movements, and for small precision movement, keep your
fingertip stationary on the trackpad and _roll_. Increase the
finger-to-laptop angle for vertical movement (pointer away from you or
toward you) and rotate your finger along its axis for small left/right
movements.
Few seem to know this. If you don't know what you're doing, and do it
by trial and error, then trackpads kinda sorta work, not great but
acceptably.
Interesting. It doesn't seem to apply to my Mac touchpad. Or maybe only if I run
Linux on that hardware, that seems to have a different sensitivity setting.
paul