The Computer Mouse

The computer mouse was once a two button positional device, for the pointer on your monitor. It is of course still this but the average mouse today sports a small wheel that makes life easier when scrolling large documents or web pages.

Although you can still purchase a basic computer mouse today, they are incredibly cheep, for a few dollars more you can invest in an optical mouse with more buttons for further functions. Why do I keep thinking of Clint Eastwood?

The optical computer mouse is superior to the roller ball mouse, using light to gather the positional information it does not fall victim to "gunk".

Cordless mice are available, using either infrared or radio to communicate, un-tethered, with the computer. Nice but not essential.

As an alternative to the mouse you may consider a trackball – an upside down mouse that you roll your with hand over.

Lets sum up what is available.

Standard mouse - using a rolling ball to deliver positional information and housing a left and right button (the MAC uses only one button).

A wire connection to the computer - older computers used a mini 6 pin Din plug. Currently the IBM PS/2 connector is used as all computers have PS/2 sockets for keyboard and mouse. Alternatively you can purchase a mouse that will plug into the USB port, a common PC interface these days.

Scroll wheel – this is a little wheel that sits between the two buttons. Rolling the wheel forwards or backwards enables documents or web pages to be scrolled with ease.

Wireless mouse – using either infrared or radio the mouse no longer needs a physical connection to the computer. It reduces the clutter, but the down side is that a battery is contained within the mouse and it will require an occasional re-charge.

Optical mouse – this replaces the rolling ball in the mouse. A computer mouse with a ball is OK when new but the external feet and the internal rollers soon become bunged up with dirt and hair. However they are easy enough to clean.

The optical mouse replaces the ball with an optical device that generates the positional information for the on screen pointer. You can recognise these mice by the way that they glow red underneath -spooky. The only down side to these mice is that they cost a little more, but they are well worth the extra. They work on most surfaces.

My Recommendation

I would recommend that you go for an optical computer mouse, with scroll wheel, connecting to the computer via a wire with a PS/2 connector. Why use up a valuable USB port when most computers, even laptops, have PS/2s connectors for mouse and keyboard.

The Microsoft Intellimouse has all off my recommended features. Pressing down on the scroll button also gives an added function control. The Intellimouse is very good although a little pricey.

Adjusting the mouse settings.