Ode To Those Who Use Trackball Mice

by Rich Menga on Apr 30, 2009 | 20 comments

David Risley, owner of PCMech, does use a trackball mouse on his Mac Pro. When I say trackball I’m not referring to the old-school mice (mouses?) that were around before optical. Rather I’m talking about the above-surface blood red colored plastic balls that look like the HAL 9000‘s camera eye.

Every time I use Dave’s computer box I have to deal with that stupid thing.

If you ever wanted a way to keep people from using your computer, use a trackball mouse. It’s a sure-fire way to say that if you’re not willing to "thumb it", you sir (or ma’am), won’t be able to use my computer.

It’s not like trackball mice are plentiful. NewEgg doesn’t have too many to choose from. But this probably makes users of this awful input device very smug, like it’s a secret society of annoying-mouse users or something.

Folks who use trackball mice are nice enough people. It’s just that I strongly disagree with their choice of mouse. It’s big; it’s ugly; it should be banned like asbestos.

One of these days I’m going to bring a scissors to Dave’s place, cut the wire, chuck the mouse in the garbage then blame it on the cat.

The only thing worse than a trackball mouse is a keyboard with blank keys.

Trackball people, I respect you as computer users, but your mouse sucks.

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David Risley
Its like a chastity belt for my computer. You’re catching on.
Builds thumb strength, too.

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Drat, the mission has been compromised. And I could have TOTALLY gotten away with blaming it on the cat. Seriously.
Joe Ritz
There is another reason so far not mentioned. It’s medical. My wife suffered badly from Carpal Tunnel syndrome. The only way she could continue to use her computer was through the use of her trackball. I confess that I don’t like it either, but if given no other option…

Steven Hammons
Well David, you should really open up and tell the world how you really feel.
I use a trackball-style mouse, but not the thumb driven kind because I find them rather awkward. Instead I use the Kensington Expert Mouse; it is basically the size of the trackball used in the Centipede arcade game surrounded by four buttons that can have assigned functions.
However, there is a reason I have chose to use the trackball over a regular mouse. There was a time when the Green Coffee Giant had actual espresso machines and I was there to operate them repeatedly just short of contracting carpal tunnel. Using the trackball alleviates the stress and tension that a regular mouse can induce including carpal tunnel. If it weren’t for the fact I am a desktop support tech and interface with computers all day, I might be inclined to use a regular mouse. But since the circumstances are already established, I will keep the trackball.
Steven Hammons
Correction…I was not fully operational at the time I left my previous comment as I composed it without having my first cup of coffee. It should be addressed to Rich and not Dave; please excuse the oversight.

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
My ongoing name at PCMech is “Not Dave”, not to worry.

http://www.twitter.com/AndrewPearce Drew
Firstly, Rich – you should just cut the cable at the end and leave it there until he figures out why it’s not working..
And secondly, Dave – why on earth would you need to build thumb strength? haha
Larry Thompson
this calls for another video from Dave this time he will be licking his (track) Ball instead of his Mac
Steven Hammons
Careful what you wish for…there are some things you just can’t un-see.
http://SageCrispin.com Sage Crispin
My dearest Rich:
A thumb ball (that thing in your picture) is NOT a track ball. I hate those too. They should all-lets be PC about it-be recycled.
I use an OLD (5+ years?) Logitech track ball. It is big-about the size of a golf ball or bigger. And most importantly, it sticks out the right side of the holder, making it accessible to your fingers. The left side is exposed for your thumb, but I never use it. My thumb is used exclusively to hit the left click. The left button is on the left, the right, on the right under the ball, right where your 2nd or 3rd finger hit it naturally. It works great anytime you don’t want to be moving your arm/hand, and you never run off the side of the mouse pad. It is especially good in the Motor home, where the laptop sits on the dash, and the ball next to it, taking up no extra space, but for the ball itself.
I do not use the track ball for picture/graphics editing.
Yes, those thumb ball things are awful.
Sage

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
I’m going by NewEgg’s definition, they call them TrackBall mice. And they’re even in the title of the product(s).
TrackBall mice actually come in several variations. There’s the ball-on-left, the center-ball and the “forward”-ball.
Regardless of configuration, all TrackBall mice are awful, period. It is the scourge of the internet and responsible for Communism, the gout and soggy Rice Krispies.

http://SageCrispin.com Sage Crispin
You kids…
Are you old enough to remember the Tempest arcade game? It had a knob/dial twisty thing instead of a trackball. You have no idea how bad things can REALLY be.
Actually, you might be surprised how good that third one in your list works. None of course, are as wonderful as the one I use.
“Communism”?…then who’s responsible for Obama/Biden? And soggy LIFE cereal is a lot worse than Rice Krispies.
Sage

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
I’ve owned a standard JAMMA arcade cabinet, thank you very much and know the vector screen Tempest machine very well.
If you’re going to mention any coin-op arcade machine that uses the ball, Centipede is the example you should have used.
And you’re wrong. Soggy Rice Krispies is the worst, followed by soggy Corn Pops. Both are flavorless mush at that point. At least Life cereal is flavored mush.

http://SageCrispin.com Sage Crispin
Yes, yes, but…
I bet you’re using that white flavored water they call 2% milk. The scourge of the Dairy Industry. Real men drink Real (whole) milk.
Sage
Steven Hammons
I happened to mention Centipede in my post that was not addressed correctly albeit. But there is a definite contender to your soggy Rice Krispies and that is Kix in its dry form let alone them getting soggy…blargh! Why on earth would anyone think it was a good idea to turn Trix into an albino? Enough of the digression; Rich (aka not Dave), why would you want to use Dave’s computer anyhow regardless of the pointing device attached? If it is indeed that much of a bane to you to see a trackball attached to something, perhaps we should all attach one to all things good.

Larry Thompson
hey just found this little program (Joystick 2 Mouse 3) it allows you to use your joystick as a mouse. Forget the mice, to heck with the balls real men use there joysticks !!!!
http://christinewoodsart.com christine woods
I have been using the same Logitech Marble Mouse for 8 years, now, all day long with no pain whatsoever or the constant off-the-pad aggravation of a regular mouse. My arm rests comfortably, unmoving, (I use a Notecase armrest extension that clamps onto the keyboard tray), while I easily, accurately and speedily control the ping-pong-ball-sized red ball in the middle with my 3 middle fingers. My thumb left-clicks, my pinky right-clicks, and I customized smaller side-buttons for scrolling.
It took a few days and some patience to get used to it, which is probably why trackballs haven’t taken over the market given people’s lack of patience and infantile need these days for instant gratification (and Logitech’s inadequate marketing), but I hope I’m never forced to use a regular mouse again.
My biggest problem is that Logitech has discontinued the middle-ball model for a thumb-manipulated side ball which is much less efficient and uncomfortable, so I have to hope mine lasts for the rest of my life.
http://worxband.com Steve Prusak
Being a musician who plays keyboards, I love a good track ball mouse. I use Logitech with my Mac book pro and find its precision superior to a moving mouse. I can rest my arm and not have to move my wrist. Every control I need is at my fingertips. Once you customize the settings of the speed and functions it becomes part of your hand. Those who don’t like a track ball, more power to you but your living in the dark ages when it comes to comfort and control.
Sutter
I loves my Microsoft D67-00001 Trackball Optical Mouse had one for 11 years now, best gaming mouse Eva! All I have to say bout the haters is just keep waving your arm around to use your little rat mice, I will destroy you in a game of thumb wars!!
Robert
I use the Logitech Marble trackball as well.
I have had it almost a decade.
Have to say, I think you’re out numbered old boy.
And yes, the Thumb thing is a retch.
Trackballs, real ones, rule:)