Re: [tlug] Trackball [Re: Happy hacking keyboard]

[rost52 <bugquestcontri@example.com>]

Kensington Expert Mouse - I use this type of device since the mid 1990s; currently still on my XP 
machine. But I want to set up my Thinkpad x240 with Linux Antergos or Linux Mint Debian.

How can I get my Kensington Expert Mouse running under Linux?

I hope I place this question correct. I am newbie here.
I case of mistake I appologize in advance and appreciate help on how to do it better.

Thanks in advance.

On 2014-08-08 22:36, Daniel A. Ramaley wrote:
> Years ago (1990s) i had a Kensington Expert Mouse. Best pointing device
> i've ever used. If i needed to make the pointer travel a long distance
> on the screen i could just give the ball a little push and let it go--
> inertia would do the rest. I got rid of it when the connection between
> the device and its cable started behaving erratically. I didn't buy a
> new one because my finances as a student were rather limited, and since
> then haven't bought one because i've gotten used to a certain model of
> Logitech optical mice (which ceased production years ago, but the things
> are reliable enough that i've not needed to throw any away).
>
> On 2014-08-06 at 14:45:57 Nicolas Limare wrote:
> > Since we're talking keyboards[1], it's probably the good moment for
> > questions about other input devices too.
> >
> > I've been using a trackball (Logitech Cordless Optical) for 5 years
> > now. It took me a few days at the beginning to adapt, get a good
> > feeling of where the vertical/horizontal are, and grow some muscles on
> > the back of the hand, but now I really prefer that than a mouse
> > because:
> > * I can operate it with my wrist resting on the desk and only moving
> >    the fingers; this puts less stress on my wrist and hand than a
> >    mouse
> > * always at the exact same place on my desk, my hand finds it
> >    instantly, and it needs no free space around
> > * very precise for small pointer movements, and it can do large and
> >    fast movements as well by pushing the ball in one direction, letting
> > it roll, and stopping it at the destination.
> >
> > But my trackball is damaged and I want to buy a new one, so here are
> > my questions. Do you TLUGers have some experience or advice with these
> > devices? Which position do you prefer, ball under the thumb or
> > forefinger? Did you try a scroll ring? Which brand is crap, which is
> > not?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > [1] Mine is a Typematrix and I like it so much I bring it with me when
> > I go abroad for work. No I can't help feeling that any other
> > keyboard, without a straight typematrix-like layout, is very, very
> > uncomfortable.
> __
> Daniel A. Ramaley  |  Network Engineer 2
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