Your opinions please. All ideas welcome.
James Kitchen
I have been developing a pointing device (it is not a Mouse as such, but
uses the same technologies) specifically for mechanical CAD engineers, that
significantly reduces the risk of developing pain and eventually
musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, whilst greatly
increasing user performance.
Going from personal experience, using CAD packages for >8 hours a day can be
extremely painful for the mousing hand. I presume that many of you get that
dull ache in your hand and forearm? I just want to do some further research
to see if there is to be a market for my product. I know it's difficult
without seeing pictures or trying it, but does the concept appeal to you?
The device has been tested across a small user base, and shown a general
trend of around a 40-80% increase in data input rate (in bits per second,
through a series of ISO standard user oriented tasks) which in turn
proportionally improves productivity. I presume many of you use the 6-axis
controllers such as the space ball etc. which also greatly increase
productivity.
Does anyone use a puck anymore, or has the need for tracing disappeared?
Do you use / would like to use intelligent sketching, where you motion a
general shape and the software produces geometric shapes from it?
Does everyone use standard consumer mice, the same as you would use at home
for surfing the web, or does anyone use any other type of device? Maybe
even a graphics tablet and stylus?
Would you (or persist your manager) to buy a product that was proven to
reduce pain, while significantly increasing comfort and performance?
Any other comments would really be appreciated too, and i'll try and post
some pictures in the near(ish) future.
Regards,
James Kitchen.
Yoffi Devices.
T Bennett
etc. I tried one of those stupid track balls. That sucker kills me. If I
spent some time on something and liked it, I'd definitely get one for work.
BTW, I don't have much good to say about wheel mice either. A good 3-button
mouse is where I always come back to. Microsoft has a mouse, but the stroke
on the button is too long and stiff. It wears on you after a few hours.
The only thing good about a trackball is, it doesn't wiggle when you click.
"James Kitchen" <j.e.k...@NOSPAMvirgin.net> wrote in message
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Richard M
everything else <grin>.
My experience is that a MS Explorer optical mouse is fastest for me but
leads to wrist pain in a couple of days of heavy use (I work pretty
fast). A Kensington Expert Mouse (actually a 4-button "billiard ball"
trackball) is more comfortable but a bit slower. A Wacom Graphire pen
and tablet is easiest on my wrist but a bit awkward to use. Currently I
have them all connected and alternate between the Explorer mouse and
Wacom pen with my right hand, keeping the Kensington to the left of the
keyboard for occasional use with my left hand.
Richard M
___________________________
Ray Reynolds
fatigue all stem from the fact that you don't have your work station
set properly for good alignment of your body. I had a co worker that
complained that his arm would go numb after about 2-3 hours of work.
They tried wrist supports, a chair with padded armrests, a few
different configurations of pointing devices. I noticed that he was
sitting too low in his chair... raised it 1 inch and his arm never got
numb again.
At work I use a Logitech Intellimouse (2-button with a scroll wheel)
and at home I use a Logitech Marble Mouse (trackball with the
middle/index finger, and side buttons). It took awhile to get used to
the marble mouse, but I actually prefer it over the mouse, but I do
like the added functions of the scroll wheel. I think any pointing
device will work just as well and comfortably as another, as long as
you are maintaining proper posture throughout the day. There have
been many times where I have sat literally for 6 hours without getting
out of my chair, and I have never had any form of fatigue.
Oh, there was that one time when I had this sharp stabbing pain right
through the middle of my brain and.... :-)
Paul 7
alt.machines.cnc
--
Paul Sevin
Ovation Engineering, Inc.
productivity solutions for CNC machinery
http://www.ovationeng.com
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"James Kitchen" <j.e.k...@NOSPAMvirgin.net> wrote in message
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Steve Fye
I personally like the LogiTech 3-button MouseMan (the triangular,
egg-shaped one). Their latest one (shaped like an elongated shoe)
feels akward to me. The thumb button is useless - get rid of that
scrolling crap! The shape does conform to your right hand very well,
but the thumb portion is heavily recessed which is quite unnatural.
The one downside to the 3-button (what I currently use) is that the
material can get slippery with sweat after heavy use. This mouse
relies on your thumb and pinky finger to hold/maneuver which I like
just fine (very easy to control and agile). Counter to that, the new
"shoe" style mouse doesn't seem to allow you to move it as much (since
it's so much bigger).
If anyone can develop a mouse that is self-cleaning, I'll buy one
tomorrow. MS Optical doesn't count either - those skid pads gunk-up
faster than anything on the market!
Anyway, those are my random thoughts (gripes) for you to work with.
Best of luck and keep us posted on the progress!
Koen Boendermaker
I remember working with a tablet and a pen, instead of a mouse. Worked
great for me, but then again the setup of my desk was better as well.
With mouses I don't like the fact that I have to slightly twist my
wrist. I think that causes that numb feeling which I have too.
Good luck with your product.
Koen
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timlough
"Koen Boendermaker" <koen.boe...@driessenusa.com> wrote in message
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s=½at²
optical mouse that I like. I'd be very interested in seeing drawings or
photos of your new device and I'm always happy to give my opinion (whether
people like it or not). In the mean time, thanks for the mention of
six-axis devices, that's an option I haven't looked at, but should. (AN
ASIDE TO 6-AXIS USERS: What are some of the pointing devices that you
use/have used, and what are your recommendations?)
My pointing device history if anyone cares:
I use a currently use two different scroll mice on two different machines,
but like the Digital Research "4D Scroll Mouse" (
http://www.dr-tech.com/products/drmouse4ds.html )the best. It is a great
all-around mouse for any program that I have used. The only problem is that
the rollers inside (not the ball) are always getting gunked-up. I have to
disassemble the mouse and clean them a couple of times a week. I know that
an optical mouse would not have this problem, but haven't seen one that I
like as much as the "4D".
In the past I have used tablet and 16-button puck, but didn't like having to
choose between a larger "screen" area on the tablet for drawing, vs. having
the function buttons active. I solved this by adding a second monitor that
I keep buttons and text screen on or other programs such as M$Excel or Word.
(The tablet is now unplugged, uninstalled, and makes a nice if not expensive
"easel" between the keyboard and monitors for any paper information I am
using). This also eliminated the need for a command line at the bottom of
my main screen (ACAD14) or any function buttons at the top or sides. The
increased screen size of the drawing is well worth the price of the
additional equipment.
"James Kitchen" <j.e.k...@NOSPAMvirgin.net> wrote in message
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brian.clode
Bri