|
 Choosing
a mouse seems easy - you just need something
to move the cursor around the screen, right?
Well, some mice can do more - like performing
tasks you used to do using the keyboard. And
did you know that there are smaller mice for
smaller hands? Read on to learn about all the
neat features they're building into mice these
days - and to figure out which mouse is best
for you
Size
and Contour
People often don't realize that mice may
come in different sizes. Companies
commonly produce smaller mice as
accessories for notebook users, who are
constrained to small desks or tray
tables - but these also work nicely for
users with smaller hands. When
purchasing your mouse, make sure it fits
comfortably in your hand.
Try to avoid mice with a
"contoured" or asymmetrical
grip; recent studies have shown that
symmetrical mice are a better choice.
Mice with a slightly wider base may help
improve your grip on the mouse and your
comfort while using it.
Features
Consider a mouse with multiple buttons.
These let the mouse perform certain
keystrokes, lessening the amount you
have to do by hand (and lessening the
risk of a Repetitive Stress Injuries).
If you surf the web or edit long
documents, you may want to try a mouse
with a scroll wheel. Scrolling with a
wheel instead of the entire mouse can
help reduce repetitive arm motions and
their resulting discomfort (but
beware-this may lead to discomfort in
your fingers!).
Another new technology to be aware of is
the optical mouse. These mice use
optical sensors to determine your mouse
position. Since there's no ball, it
can't get dirty and can't make it more
difficult to move your mouse.
Alternatives
Remember, there are alternatives to the
traditional mouse. If you're
experiencing shoulder pain, using a
trackball may help. Trackballs let you
move the cursor while keeping your arm
in a fixed position, thus minimizing arm
motion. There are even foot-operated
mice, which use pedals to control the
position of the cursor on screen. If
you're experiencing pain you think might
be related to mouse use, consult a
physician immediately.
Makes
Available For Mouse
| Logitech |
Microsoft |
Kensington |
| Hewlett
Packward |
Micro
Innovation |
LG |
| Sharp |
Microtek |
IBM |
Mouse By Connectivity
|
