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I'm a trackball fan, but trackballs and mice have different properties that make them suitable for different tasks. Mice are better than trackballs at fine moti
by garethrees 9y ago
I'm a trackball fan, but trackballs and mice have different properties that make them suitable for different tasks. Mice are better than trackballs at fine motion and precise movement. Trying to get pixel-perfect movement (say, in a drawing program) with a trackball can be frustrating.
But trackballs have the following advantages over mice:
1. You don't need as much desk space, since the trackball doesn't move about.
2. The trackball stays where you put it so you can find it quickly without having to look.
3. Because the trackball doesn't move about, the cable can be arranged so that it doesn't get in the way.
4. Clicking the buttons on a trackball never accidentally nudges the pointer.
5. Trackballs are faster for big pointer movements, as you can spin the ball in the right direction and then brake it when the pointer gets close to its destination.
6. When a mouse user comes over to your desk and tries to use the trackball they will find it trickier than they expect, and they will have to hand control back to you.
- teolandon 9y agoLove #6, probably the real reason I've spent so much time customizing my system and setup.
- ianai 9y agoNot my reason initially, but it pays off.
- acjohnson55 9y ago#4 is the only one that applies to me. I personally use a track pad with sensitivity jacked to the max, which covers the other bases. The ThinkPad pointer stick also has its acolytes.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- radiowave 9y agoAnother advantage is that usually when you hold a mouse, your hand is in pretty much the same position the whole time, whereas with a trackball (particularly the larger kind), you can roll the ball with whichever of your finger tips, or the long side of your fingers, or even the flat of your hand. I've no doubt that for me, this flexibility leads to much better long-term comfort.
- upofadown 9y ago>Trying to get pixel-perfect movement (say, in a drawing program) with a trackball can be frustrating. High levels of acceleration can help. The classic X windowing system input method has something described as "a more natural and continuous formula, giving precise control for slow motion but big reach for fast motion, and a progressive transition for motions in between." which works really well with my Trackman Marble.