Date:         Thu, 9 Mar 1995 08:55:11 -48000
From:         Ergonomic Sciences <esc@ERGOSCI.COM>
Subject:      glidepoint trackpads (input device)


I hope I can be of help to people interested in this relative new technology.
The Glidepoint trackpad, from Circue Corporation, was first introduced
into the latest generation of Apple Powerbooks.  We thought this device
could offer positive benefits for many keyboard users, because of it's
small size, it's ease of use and the reduced muscle involvement required.

Having an ergonomic showroom in Mt.View, CA, we were able to get some of
the beta test units for a thorough evaluation, and we discovered several
unique characteristics of this device.

1.  It's small size (3 1/4" X 2 1/2") allows it to be placed in front of
the keyboard's space bar, between the hands, or to the right or left of
the keyboard, even in one's lap!

2.  The device can be operated equally well by any finger, on either hand.
There are fewer coordination issues to deal with, compared to any mouse
or trackball we are aware of, because it is not necessary to push and
hold buttons while maneuvering the cursor or object.  This gives the user
an opportunity to switch hands as often as needed to relieve stress and
tension in the hands, that might typically build up using a mouse or even
a trackball.  Also, because of it's small size, and relatively short
muscle movements, the muscle groups of the neck, shoulder, back, hand,
wrist and arms do not seem to become nearly as involved as would be the
case with most any mouse device.

3.  It's surface is so sensitive that, in most cases, the two buttons are
never used (except in games of specific software).  A light tap or two on
the operating surface clicks and drags objects or highlights text, and
generally does whatever other 2-button input devices can do, easier and
with less physical exertion.

4.  Each Glidepoint comes with a useful tutorial disk, which will quickly
teach the skills to make the best use of the device, and also contains
custom drivers if they are necessary, and because there is virtually
nothing to break, each device carries a limited lifetime warranty!

Versions of the Glidepoint device are available today for IBM style
clones, PC's, PS2's, MacIntosh, Silicon Graphics (most any device with a
serial or PS2 style mouse port), and soon for Sun and HP unix work stations.

Retail prices range from $94.95 to $149.95 and as usual street prices can
be considerably lower.  We keep a stock of units for IBM's and Macs here
at the Lab if you want one.

Send email to steve@ergosci.com or call me at 1800ErgoSci to order or to
get answers to any questions you might have about this or other ergonomic
devices.

steve@ergosci.com (Steve Marshall)


Date:         Thu, 9 Mar 1995 09:21:00 PST
From:         "Wright, Kenneth" <WRIGHTKS@OPS195.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM>
Subject:      Glidepoint - follow-up


To continue with my experiences with the Glidepoint . . . I loaded the
driver for the touch pad and found it to have several features useful to
enhance its use.  It has a travel adjustment and an acceleration function
that improves the ability to get from one side of the screen to the other.
 It also has the option to set up keys, or key combinations, to limit cursor
travel in the horizontal or vertical direction, slow down cursor movement
for precision needs, for freeze the cursor in place.  Other "Hot Key"
options are available, but I haven't explored those options yet and am
unfamiliar with them.

Another related item is that as part of an experiments class I'm taking for
my Masters at San Jose State University, we are going to be making
comparisons between the Glidepoint and a trackball.  Comparisons will be
very simple and limited, but I found that other classmates did have initial
trouble with getting used to clicking and moving items around on the screen.
 The driver software was not installed, which IMHO makes a big difference,
however it does indicate that its movement requirements to use may take some
getting used to for some users.

One problem I've noticed in my own use is that when some background
functions start, when using Excel especially, then the cursor gets stuck in
the click/drag function until the background function stops.  :-(
       Needless to say, this is no fun when I'm trying to get a project
done.

Regards,

Scott Wright
Industrial Ergonomics
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co
wrightks@ops195.lmsc.lockheed.com