I use both mouse and trackball (or keyboard nipple if available).
Trackball is nice for when I’m sitting on the couch and need to control the mouse on my HTPC. Generally anywhere you’re space-constrained or dealing with an uneven surface a trackball is super useful.
Meh, the only time I’m actually using my mouse for prolonged periods of time is when I’m gaming. And whenever I feel strained I’ll just switch to a controller, I’m absolutely terrible with controllers but they still feel less weird to my brain than trackballs.
For whatever reason I usually get pain in my fingers not wrist. And usually only when gaming for a long time. Pretty sure I move my whole arm when using a mouse. Maybe that’s why?
Trackballs are great! I wouldn’t necessarily recommend anybody switch if they’re happy with what they have, but they work pretty much as well as a mouse for most tasks, can be better for RSI, and don’t need as much desk space because the device is just stationary. I have both a mouse and a trackball on my desk to switch things up, but the trackball gets the most use. My main gripe with the trackball is just that you have to clean the gunk out every so often, but otherwise it’s awesome.
Agree about the gunk issues, I do wish they were self cleaning, but not with the happy with what you have bit. Few people are actively exposed to trackballs. Give one a try and you might realize what you have is simply inferior for most tasks.
Care to be more specific?
For gaming mouse is better perhaps, but for everything else I see no reason to wave your arm around like a baboon. Spend a few months with a good trackball and you will feel like an absolute ape using a mouse.
Wave your arm around like a baboon? I move my whole mouse like, an inch square at that. I do CAD work daily, and also game. High sensitivity mouse master race…
Then again, I also don’t have my mouse on the right hand side of my computer with the buttons facing toward the back of the desk. I sit with my right arm across and my mouse ‘horizontal’ so to speak. Left arm extended fully, right arm at a 90 degree pulled in and under the keyboard.
I’m 40 and have been gaming, computing for more hours than people are typically awake during the day, since I was like 6. I have no RSI, no mouse-related strain at all…
Highly recommended. I use both vertical mx ergo and the mx ergo and would recommend both. It’s very nice not having to move your arm all the time especially across multiple screens
I don’t know about the other dude, but I do CADD work all day for weeks on end sometimes. There’s no avoiding using the mouse. Trackball is MUCH safer for my wrist. My other option is to hover hand the desk all day to prevent RSI or twisting up my wrist, but that kills my shoulder after a few hours.
No it’s not. It does not solve the problem of hover handing the desk and putting strain on my shoulder. Also, I have three large monitors to traverse, but I need precision. I can sail across 3 monitors with a flick of my thumb. I rarely have the desk space or reach to do that with any kind of tabletop mouse because I also need my keyboard in range to type commands and input. I know about adjusting the mouse speed, but that just doesn’t offer enough control or precision. Moreover, occasionally I need to use my computer without access to any kind of desk and the track pad just doesn’t cut it, especially when you need to clock and drag.
I use a trackball because they take up less space but there is a learning curve and you really have to spend time dialing in a sensitivity you’re comfortable with.
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I’m staunchly anti trackball, but pro keyboard nipple
RSI will fix that.
Not for actual use, but for bonding with your laptop.
My keyboard nipple lactates when I use it. Is that normal?
Sounds like you’re over stimulating it.
I hate cleaning up the liquid that comes out the ports when you play with it too much.
You have to use soap because it gets all gloopy with just water.
protip: SQL injection can also be used to inject oxytocin into your laptop so she will really love you the way you love her…
Ngl, I love that little mouse nub on my thinkpad
Keyboard nipple is that like a clit mouse?
Yep, different names for the same thing. Relevant XKCD
I use both mouse and trackball (or keyboard nipple if available).
Trackball is nice for when I’m sitting on the couch and need to control the mouse on my HTPC. Generally anywhere you’re space-constrained or dealing with an uneven surface a trackball is super useful.
carpal tunnel and RSIs suck. Trackball use strong arm muscles not weak wrist muscles in strained position.
Plus less pronation.
pronation
noun
rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face downward
Gotta get one that slopes. Or 3D print a slope for yours.
Seconding as better for RSI. Plus they work anywhere, you don’t need specific surfaces for them
Meh, the only time I’m actually using my mouse for prolonged periods of time is when I’m gaming. And whenever I feel strained I’ll just switch to a controller, I’m absolutely terrible with controllers but they still feel less weird to my brain than trackballs.
You’ll be old one day!
For whatever reason I usually get pain in my fingers not wrist. And usually only when gaming for a long time. Pretty sure I move my whole arm when using a mouse. Maybe that’s why?
I’m staunchly pro trackball
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I could never get myself to using a track ball. An ergonomic mouse on the other hand…
Trackballs are great! I wouldn’t necessarily recommend anybody switch if they’re happy with what they have, but they work pretty much as well as a mouse for most tasks, can be better for RSI, and don’t need as much desk space because the device is just stationary. I have both a mouse and a trackball on my desk to switch things up, but the trackball gets the most use. My main gripe with the trackball is just that you have to clean the gunk out every so often, but otherwise it’s awesome.
Agree about the gunk issues, I do wish they were self cleaning, but not with the happy with what you have bit. Few people are actively exposed to trackballs. Give one a try and you might realize what you have is simply inferior for most tasks.
Care to be more specific? For gaming mouse is better perhaps, but for everything else I see no reason to wave your arm around like a baboon. Spend a few months with a good trackball and you will feel like an absolute ape using a mouse.
Wave your arm around like a baboon? I move my whole mouse like, an inch square at that. I do CAD work daily, and also game. High sensitivity mouse master race…
Then again, I also don’t have my mouse on the right hand side of my computer with the buttons facing toward the back of the desk. I sit with my right arm across and my mouse ‘horizontal’ so to speak. Left arm extended fully, right arm at a 90 degree pulled in and under the keyboard.
I’m 40 and have been gaming, computing for more hours than people are typically awake during the day, since I was like 6. I have no RSI, no mouse-related strain at all…
Exaggerating of course, but mouse / wrist movements are more coarse than the subtle thumb movements of a trackball and it’s a noticeable transition.
Highly recommended. I use both vertical mx ergo and the mx ergo and would recommend both. It’s very nice not having to move your arm all the time especially across multiple screens
I just switched to an Elecom Huge and I absolutely love it.
Really nice to just flick a ball clear across a 7680px-wide workspace.
I will never use a trackball outside of Centipede.
Crystal Castles, my dude.
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I don’t know about the other dude, but I do CADD work all day for weeks on end sometimes. There’s no avoiding using the mouse. Trackball is MUCH safer for my wrist. My other option is to hover hand the desk all day to prevent RSI or twisting up my wrist, but that kills my shoulder after a few hours.
Ergo mouse. Best of both worlds.
No it’s not. It does not solve the problem of hover handing the desk and putting strain on my shoulder. Also, I have three large monitors to traverse, but I need precision. I can sail across 3 monitors with a flick of my thumb. I rarely have the desk space or reach to do that with any kind of tabletop mouse because I also need my keyboard in range to type commands and input. I know about adjusting the mouse speed, but that just doesn’t offer enough control or precision. Moreover, occasionally I need to use my computer without access to any kind of desk and the track pad just doesn’t cut it, especially when you need to clock and drag.
Whatever is the most comfortable
I use a trackball because they take up less space but there is a learning curve and you really have to spend time dialing in a sensitivity you’re comfortable with.