Main Menu
Home Accessories Mice Pointing Devices
Mice Pointing Devices

Mice Pointing Devices

Mouse pointing devices have been the stated reason for many computer-related hand and arm injuries. Use of a mouse typically involves arms reaching to the side of the keyboard and deviated wrist postures. Add to this repetitive wrist and arm motions, and several ergonomic risk factors appear.

Where a mouse is used with the computer, place it close to the keyboard. The whole arm should be used to move it, instead of just the wrist.

 

Not all mice are created equal, they come in various shapes and sizes. Usually the preferred mouse is of a relatively small size and is curved to fit the operator's hand. Operators with larger hands, may prefer a larger mouse. Mice that require awkward wrist and arm motions to operate should be avoided.

Several alternatives to using the mouse are available. Trackballs, digitizer pens, touch screens, and voice recognition devices are some options being used to eliminate or reduce mouse usage.

Wristrests and swivel wrist/arm supports have also been used to help support the arm while using a mouse and they seem to reduce some of the stresses related to mouse use.

Goldtouch Technologies

17300 Red Hill Avenue Suite 100

Irvine, CA 92614

(949)798-0300, Fax: (949)798-0305

Queries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.goldtouch.com

Goldtouch Mouse

  • PC Compatible
  • Estimated price: $59.95
  • Availability: Online Order Form

The Goldtouch Mouse is designed to support the hand in a relaxed, neutral posture. It also has scrolling/panning capabilities to enhance the ergonomics of the hardware/software interface under Windows 95 applications. The implementation of its unique Scroll Control Button allows the reduction of unnecessary repetitive movements of the fingers and hand.

Research

Applied Ergonomic Science - The scientific background to the Goldtouch Mouse. Comparisons with other mice.

Miscellaneous

Article: Mark Goldstein Q&A Interview

10 October 1997 Media Release

Product Reviews

Ergonomic Sciences Corp's Review of the Goldtouch Mouse

http://www.ergosci.com/goldmrv.html

Kensington Microware Limited

2855 Campus Drive

San Mateo, CA 94403

(800) 535-4242, Fax: (415) 572-9675

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.kensington.com/

Thinking Mouse

  • PC and Mac Compatible
  • Estimated price is $54.95
  • Kensington's Where to Buy Webpage

This mouse got in shape--so you can avoid a workout. It's narrower in the front, wider in the back and curved around the sides and edges allowing for more comfortable use. Its sides are made of Kensington's rubberized EasyGrip material that delivers a more secure feel. And the four easy-to-click buttons are placed to meet your fingertips without uncomfortable bending or stretching-- whether your hand is large or small.

Computing just got easier with the award-winning MouseWorks software. It's easy single-click solution to all your repetitive tasks. Clicking less means you work faster and save time.

Research

Pekelney, R., & Chu, R. (1995). Design criteria of an ergonomic mouse computer input device. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 39th Annual Meeting Vol 1 (pp369-373). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Comments

I've had the opportunity to use the Thinking Mouse for a protracted period of time and really enjoyed it - right up to the time I started using their trackball . I was favorably impressed with Pekelney & Chu's (1995) paper on the research and design decisions that went into this mouse, and personally found it very comfortable to use. If you are looking for a single mouse that can be used by both hands, and adapt well for different hand sizes, give this one a trial run and see if it works for you. -KSW-

Miscellaneous

The Kensington Internet Mouse (a Thinking Mouse variation) is currently available only through PCConnection.

Logitech

6505 Kaiser Dr.

Fremont, CA 94555

(800) 231-7717 or (510) 795-8100

http://www.logitech.com/

MouseMan +

  • Compatibility: Windows
  • Estimated price is $59.95 ($49.95 w/o wheel)
  • Availability: Retail

Logitech MouseMan + mouse provides a comfortable, innovative design, a convenient thumb button and a unique wheel button that gives you the most flexibility for working in Windows 95. Logitech gives you all the benefits of a wheel: scroll in all Windows 95 applications and on the Internet, as well as zoom in Microsoft Office 97. The wheel is also a fourth mouse button that you can easily customize with one-click commands, such as double-click. Use the convenient thumb button for one-handed zooming, without having to touch your keyboard. MouseMan + is built with the quality of Logitech, the world's largest mouse manufacturer and includes a 3-year warranty.

Comments

Logitech is a leader in providing alternative pointing device solutions. They were the first to provide slanted mice to reduce the flat, hands-down posture (forearm pronation) typical with mouse use. I have not yet had a chance to try their latest offering here, but they are obviously not afraid to make major design changes to their products to keep up with software and technology.

Some of the older 3-button styles, as well as cordless models, are still available. Check out the Logitech website, or the on-line sales links at the bottom of this page, if you are really interested. Logitech does not appear to be making it easy to find their Mac offerings on their website, but they have the cordless 3-button MouseMan for the Mac in distribution last I checked. -KSW-

Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

800-426-9400 (Microsoft Customer Service)

http://www.microsoft.com/

IntelliMouse

  • Windows Compatible
  • Estimated price is $79.94
  • Microsoft's Where to Buy Webpage

The IntelliMouse wheel sets you free to scroll, zoom, and navigate—all without taking your hand off the mouse! IntelliMouse puts the power to zoom and scroll at your fingertips with its innovative wheel, so you get more done with less effort. And IntelliMouse provides all the comfort and precision of the popular Microsoft Mouse. IntelliPoint Software Features

Miscellaneous

MouseTrapper

Designed to be used with the Microsoft Mouse and the new Microsoft IntelliMouse. The ergonomic mouse controller is designed to keep your fingers within reach of the mouse at all times without taking your hands off the keyboard. With the MouseTrapper, your thumbs have complete control over mouse movement, while reducing stress and pain in the wrists, arms and shoulders.

Clearly Superior Technologies, Inc

2495 Industrial Pkwy West

Hayward, CA 94545-5007

(510) 259-1270, Fax: (510) 259-1291

http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/

PC and Mac Mouse Deluxe

  • PC, Windows, Mac, Sun, SGI, HP Compatible versions
  • Clearly Superior Technologies Product Price Listing
  • Clearly Superior Technologies Where do I Buy Webpage

Clearly Superior Technologies is proud to now offer Precision Performance in a highly styled mouse for IBM PC/AT, PS/2, and compatibles. The mouse value package is 'user complete', including a high quality mouse pad, complete DOS mouse device drivers and Clearly Superior Technologies popular Cursor Deluxe cursor enhancement software for Windows.

The Mouse Deluxe comes with a copy of Clearly Superior Technologies popular Cursor Deluxe cursor enhancement utility. Cursor deluxe lets you replace the standard Windows cursors with bigger, easier to see cursors - great for use with large screen monitors, high resolution displays and notebook computers.

The Mouse Deluxe for the Macintosh provides three button input and 500 dpi tracking for Macintosh ADB computers. System 7 compatible. Includes Control Panel software that allows command key assignments and button swapping. The mouse has a six foot cable.