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Touchpads
--Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn
in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas : Come see my stuff Hacking the Trailing Edge! : at Maker Faire!! www.nmpproducts.com ---Decks a-wash in a sea of words--- |
Touchpads
On May 2, 9:27*am, steamer wrote:
* * * * --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. [treat this by] cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. The usual touchpad surface is Mylar (polyester); you can get gummed Mylar sheet and Xacto-knife cut patches to the right size and shape. When it wears, peel it off and put another on. Your electrical tape (or contact paper) will be a vinyl compound, with a different feel. Easiest source is to google for 'polyester label'; that'll find ya printer-size sheets of material for this purpose. |
Touchpads
whit3rd wrote:
On May 2, 9:27 am, steamer wrote: --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. [treat this by] cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. The usual touchpad surface is Mylar (polyester); you can get gummed Mylar sheet and Xacto-knife cut patches to the right size and shape. When it wears, peel it off and put another on. Your electrical tape (or contact paper) will be a vinyl compound, with a different feel. Easiest source is to google for 'polyester label'; that'll find ya printer-size sheets of material for this purpose. If you must experiment beyond that (why?) try Small Parts -- http://www.smallparts.com -- they have all sorts of different plastic sheet. -- Tim Wescott Control system and signal processing consulting www.wescottdesign.com |
Touchpads
On 02 May 2010 16:27:09 GMT, steamer wrote:
--Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? Yes. Simply use a decent quality mouse and **** the touchpad Gunner "Lenin called them "useful idiots," those people living in liberal democracies who by giving moral and material support to a totalitarian ideology in effect were braiding the rope that would hang them. Why people who enjoyed freedom and prosperity worked passionately to destroy both is a fascinating question, one still with us today. Now the useful idiots can be found in the chorus of appeasement, reflexive anti-Americanism, and sentimental idealism trying to inhibit the necessary responses to another freedom-hating ideology, radical Islam" Bruce C. Thornton, a professor of Classics at American University of Cal State Fresno |
Touchpads
On 02 May 2010 16:27:09 GMT, steamer wrote:
--Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? How about self adhesive UHMW tape? It's very abrasion resistant and slippery, and not very expensive. See McMaster page 3414. -- Ned Simmons |
Touchpads
Gunner Asch wrote: On 02 May 2010 16:27:09 GMT, steamer wrote: --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? Yes. Simply use a decent quality mouse and **** the touchpad Second. I absolutely hate the touchpads and I don't know why the public doesn't just rebel and demand joybuttons like they have on all the business laptops be standard on the consumer laptops as well. |
Touchpads
"Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bdddb47$0$5672
: Second. I absolutely hate the touchpads and I don't know why the public doesn't just rebel and demand joybuttons like they have on all the business laptops be standard on the consumer laptops as well. A lot of us feel just the opposite. If we had to use the damned eraser instead of a "real" pointing device, we'd give up on the machines. (BTW... all the DELL laptops I've owned came with both) LLoyd |
Touchpads
On Sun, 02 May 2010 15:04:11 -0500, "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh"
lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote: "Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bdddb47$0$5672 : Second. I absolutely hate the touchpads and I don't know why the public doesn't just rebel and demand joybuttons like they have on all the business laptops be standard on the consumer laptops as well. A lot of us feel just the opposite. If we had to use the damned eraser instead of a "real" pointing device, we'd give up on the machines. (BTW... all the DELL laptops I've owned came with both) LLoyd The "joybutton" on the Lenovo / IBM products is a "joy" to use. Most of the rest are a PAIN. The only DELL computers I use are ones someone else paid for. I refuse to spend money for them or to put cash in their pocket. |
Touchpads
On Sun, 02 May 2010 15:04:11 -0500, the renowned "Lloyd E.
Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote: "Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bdddb47$0$5672 : Second. I absolutely hate the touchpads and I don't know why the public doesn't just rebel and demand joybuttons like they have on all the business laptops be standard on the consumer laptops as well. A lot of us feel just the opposite. If we had to use the damned eraser instead of a "real" pointing device, we'd give up on the machines. (BTW... all the DELL laptops I've owned came with both) LLoyd I often drag a Trackman along with my 2.5lb netbook. ;-) Gets rid of RSI, and practical even in an airliner seat in economy. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-156-_-Product The touchpads are okay for very occasional use, but not more. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
Touchpads
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:
A lot of us feel just the opposite. If we had to use the damned eraser instead of a "real" pointing device, we'd give up on the machines. Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Wes -- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller |
Touchpads
Wes fired this volley in
: Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Because proper typing posture keeps the wrists elevated, and both hands over the "home" keys; meaning the heel of your hand is NEVER over the touchpad. G I use a touchpad exclusively, and touch-type. I never have that problem. LLoyd |
Touchpads
steamer wrote:
--Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? A wireless MOUSE |
Touchpads
On Sun, 02 May 2010 18:53:16 -0400, the infamous Spehro Pefhany
scrawled the following: On Sun, 02 May 2010 15:04:11 -0500, the renowned "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote: "Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bdddb47$0$5672 : Second. I absolutely hate the touchpads and I don't know why the public doesn't just rebel and demand joybuttons like they have on all the business laptops be standard on the consumer laptops as well. A lot of us feel just the opposite. If we had to use the damned eraser instead of a "real" pointing device, we'd give up on the machines. (BTW... all the DELL laptops I've owned came with both) LLoyd I often drag a Trackman along with my 2.5lb netbook. ;-) Gets rid of RSI, and practical even in an airliner seat in economy. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-156-_-Product Those are pretty nice, $28 at Wally World, but my all-time fave trackball is the Logitech Trackman Portable. It stands up like a rounded monolith with the ball (and 2 buttons) on the left side and the left button on top. The little tabs on the ball retainer ring keep breaking on mine. I've gone through 4 cords and 8 retainers over the past decade and a half. I may try one of the finger trackballs they're importing from ChiKongWan these days. $11/free ship on eBay. Or maybe I'll just go down to Harbor Fright and buy a mill, then make my own ring retainer towers, damnit. Then I could fix all my old trackballs. 'Bout time, huh? The touchpads are okay for very occasional use, but not more. Ayup. J-mice are the same. -- Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. -- Raymond Lindquist |
Touchpads
Larry Jaques on Sun, 02 May 2010 18:52:26
-0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following: I often drag a Trackman along with my 2.5lb netbook. ;-) Gets rid of RSI, and practical even in an airliner seat in economy. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-156-_-Product Those are pretty nice, $28 at Wally World, but my all-time fave trackball is the Logitech Trackman Portable. It stands up like a rounded monolith with the ball (and 2 buttons) on the left side and the left button on top. The little tabs on the ball retainer ring keep breaking on mine. I've gone through 4 cords and 8 retainers over the past decade and a half. I may try one of the finger trackballs they're importing from ChiKongWan these days. $11/free ship on eBay. Or maybe I'll just go down to Harbor Fright and buy a mill, then make my own ring retainer towers, damnit. Then I could fix all my old trackballs. 'Bout time, huh? Aluminum, or plastic? tschus pyotr I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. - pyotr filipivich We will drink no whiskey before its nine. It's eight fifty eight. Close enough! |
Touchpads
"steamer" wrote in message ... --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas I hate touchpads and have always used wireless meece. Steve visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com watch for the book A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. |
Touchpads
On Sun, 2 May 2010 21:33:42 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote: "steamer" wrote in message ... --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas I hate touchpads and have always used wireless meece. Steve Ditto. |
Touchpads
Don Foreman wrote:
On Sun, 2 May 2010 21:33:42 -0700, "Steve B" wrote: "steamer" wrote in message ... --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas I hate touchpads and have always used wireless meece. Steve Ditto. I'm not happy with the touch-pad at all, but on the boat's computer there really isn't room for a mouse. Maybe a trackball? -- Richard Lamb http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/ |
Touchpads
On Sun, 02 May 2010 19:09:00 -0700, the infamous pyotr filipivich
scrawled the following: Larry Jaques on Sun, 02 May 2010 18:52:26 -0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following: I often drag a Trackman along with my 2.5lb netbook. ;-) Gets rid of RSI, and practical even in an airliner seat in economy. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-156-_-Product Those are pretty nice, $28 at Wally World, but my all-time fave trackball is the Logitech Trackman Portable. It stands up like a rounded monolith with the ball (and 2 buttons) on the left side and the left button on top. The little tabs on the ball retainer ring keep breaking on mine. I've gone through 4 cords and 8 retainers over the past decade and a half. I may try one of the finger trackballs they're importing from ChiKongWan these days. $11/free ship on eBay. Or maybe I'll just go down to Harbor Fright and buy a mill, then make my own ring retainer towers, damnit. Then I could fix all my old trackballs. 'Bout time, huh? Aluminum, or plastic? Prorry prastic. I'll mill new posts with thicker retainers that won't break. I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. I've recently seen those on eBay for $8. Sucha deal! Let me know how they feel. I haven't seen one in a store. I moved away from mice about 15 years ago due to carpal warning twinges. The ache went away that day. Question: Why did the idiot put the keyboard legs on the wrong side? The -front- should be lifted to alleviate carpal stress, not the back. -- Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. -- Raymond Lindquist |
Touchpads
"cavelamb" wrote in message m... Don Foreman wrote: On Sun, 2 May 2010 21:33:42 -0700, "Steve B" wrote: "steamer" wrote in message ... --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas I hate touchpads and have always used wireless meece. Steve Ditto. I'm not happy with the touch-pad at all, but on the boat's computer there really isn't room for a mouse. Maybe a trackball? -- Richard Lamb http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/ I have owned a track ball since a 2000 shoulder surgery. I wouldn't own anything else, and am amazed at how hard some people find them to use. They use no desk space. Get the wireless. Steve visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com watch for the book A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. |
Touchpads
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" wrote: "Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bdddb47$0$5672 : Second. I absolutely hate the touchpads and I don't know why the public doesn't just rebel and demand joybuttons like they have on all the business laptops be standard on the consumer laptops as well. A lot of us feel just the opposite. If we had to use the damned eraser instead of a "real" pointing device, we'd give up on the machines. (BTW... all the DELL laptops I've owned came with both) The "business" line laptops generally have both, while the "consumer" line laptops generally have only the garbage touch pads. |
Touchpads
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" wrote: Wes fired this volley in : Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Because proper typing posture keeps the wrists elevated, and both hands over the "home" keys; meaning the heel of your hand is NEVER over the touchpad. G I use a touchpad exclusively, and touch-type. I never have that problem. LLoyd Well, so far in this thread, you are the only person who likes the touchpads... at least 12:1 so far. |
Touchpads
"Pete C." fired this volley in news:4bdf03f9$0$26859
: Well, so far in this thread, you are the only person who likes the touchpads... at least 12:1 so far. 'appears I'm the only one with good typing posture, too G. LLoyd |
Touchpads
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:
Wes fired this volley in : Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Because proper typing posture keeps the wrists elevated, and both hands over the "home" keys; meaning the heel of your hand is NEVER over the touchpad. G I use a touchpad exclusively, and touch-type. I never have that problem. LLoyd I don't remember my grades in typing class. Typing class, not keyboarding class as it was later known. I took it because I knew computers would be the next big thing and that is how you talk to them. I tend to rest my hands on the table. You elevate your arms all the time you are typing? I just gave it a test run and I could type a bit faster for some strange reason but it sure wasn't comfortable. I'll stick to my way for now. I rely on a usb wireless mouse. As soon as I plug in the usb end and it connects to the mouse, I get a message that my touch pad has deactivated its self. Makes me think the designers knew that killing it when a better option available would be a real crowd pleaser. ;) I used I too many times. Wes |
Touchpads
pyotr filipivich wrote:
I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. If I had to use a laptop for an extended period, I'd bring an external keyboard with me. Wes -- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller |
Touchpads
Larry Jaques on Mon, 03 May 2010 06:50:26
-0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following: I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. I've recently seen those on eBay for $8. Sucha deal! Let me know how they feel. I haven't seen one in a store. I saw one in a story - $24. I'll look for a store closer. I moved away from mice about 15 years ago due to carpal warning twinges. The ache went away that day. Question: Why did the idiot put the keyboard legs on the wrong side? The -front- should be lifted to alleviate carpal stress, not the back. "It made sense, at the time." A universal answer which explains many decisions, particularly when years later the person being asked has no idea why the decision was made that way in the first place. I have a network cable, but apparently one cannot simply plug it into the two ports on computers and make a simple home network. Now _that_ is dumb. I'm updating the Sneakernet protocols to work with a thumb drive. "Windows - it just works." - pyotr filipivich We will drink no whiskey before its nine. It's eight fifty eight. Close enough! |
Touchpads
"Wes" wrote in message ... pyotr filipivich wrote: I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. If I had to use a laptop for an extended period, I'd bring an external keyboard with me. Wes A corded keyboard and mouse go in my shoulder bag with my laptop. I'd rather used the mouse on my knee than use a freaking touchpad. And those keyboards are ridiculous if you write for a living. For surfing the Web, though, they're fine. -- Ed Huntress |
Touchpads
pyotr filipivich wrote:
I have a network cable, but apparently one cannot simply plug it into the two ports on computers and make a simple home network. Now _that_ is dumb. I'm updating the Sneakernet protocols to work with a thumb drive. "Windows - it just works." Pins 1,2,3,6 irc are what the signal goes in and out on. You need a cross over cable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cable . Actually a hub or multiport repeater would be easiest. Wes -- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller |
Touchpads
Pete C. wrote:
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" wrote: Wes fired this volley in : Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Because proper typing posture keeps the wrists elevated, and both hands over the "home" keys; meaning the heel of your hand is NEVER over the touchpad. G I use a touchpad exclusively, and touch-type. I never have that problem. LLoyd Well, so far in this thread, you are the only person who likes the touchpads... at least 12:1 so far. I'd go with the touch pad over the little eraser nub any day, so 12:2 or 6:1 now. David |
Touchpads
Wes wrote in
: pyotr filipivich wrote: I have a network cable, but apparently one cannot simply plug it into the two ports on computers and make a simple home network. Now _that_ is dumb. I'm updating the Sneakernet protocols to work with a thumb drive. "Windows - it just works." Pins 1,2,3,6 irc are what the signal goes in and out on. You need a cross over cable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cable . Actually a hub or multiport repeater would be easiest. Wes A "crossover"/"data transfer" cable can be had for relatively little. I got mine at a Wal-Mart but just about any moderately-stocked office supply or computer outlet should have them. |
Touchpads
On Mon, 03 May 2010 18:58:36 -0500, the renowned "David R.Birch"
wrote: Pete C. wrote: "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" wrote: Wes fired this volley in : Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Because proper typing posture keeps the wrists elevated, and both hands over the "home" keys; meaning the heel of your hand is NEVER over the touchpad. G I use a touchpad exclusively, and touch-type. I never have that problem. LLoyd Well, so far in this thread, you are the only person who likes the touchpads... at least 12:1 so far. I'd go with the touch pad over the little eraser nub any day, so 12:2 or 6:1 now. David I refuse to use a machine with a cli****s. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
Touchpads
"RAM³" fired this volley in
. 10: Pins 1,2,3,6 irc are what the signal goes in and out on. You need a cross over cable Called a "passive hub". Got one. (made it) LLoyd |
Touchpads
On Mon, 03 May 2010 20:24:48 -0400, Spehro Pefhany
wrote: On Mon, 03 May 2010 18:58:36 -0500, the renowned "David R.Birch" wrote: Pete C. wrote: "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" wrote: Wes fired this volley in : Why do they have to put the touch pad in the center of the laptop where it is certain the heal of my hand is going to contact it while typing? Because proper typing posture keeps the wrists elevated, and both hands over the "home" keys; meaning the heel of your hand is NEVER over the touchpad. G I use a touchpad exclusively, and touch-type. I never have that problem. LLoyd Well, so far in this thread, you are the only person who likes the touchpads... at least 12:1 so far. I'd go with the touch pad over the little eraser nub any day, so 12:2 or 6:1 now. David I refuse to use a machine with a cli****s. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany Would that be..... "Clitoris"? Gunner -- "First Law of Leftist Debate The more you present a leftist with factual evidence that is counter to his preconceived world view and the more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot, homophobe approaches infinity. This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to the subject." Grey Ghost |
Touchpads
On Mon, 3 May 2010 09:58:56 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote the following: I have owned a track ball since a 2000 shoulder surgery. I wouldn't own anything else, and am amazed at how hard some people find them to use. They use no desk space. Get the wireless. If they weren't $100, I'd like to try a Logitech Trackman Live! handheld presentation trackball. Regular trackballs (marble on top) require your hand and/or arm to be lifted and moved. The Logitech Trackman Portable/Optical Trackman/Cordless Trackman Wheel and the Microsoft Ballpoint have the left-hand ball to be used by the thumb, -preventing- the carpal and shoulder problems most people experience with mouse use. Yes, it's amazing that people can't use their thumb (or palm) to move the ball. I fell right into it and was fully up to speed within the hour. -- Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. -- Raymond Lindquist |
Touchpads
On Mon, 03 May 2010 20:24:48 -0400, Spehro Pefhany
wrote the following: On Mon, 03 May 2010 18:58:36 -0500, the renowned "David R.Birch" wrote: I'd go with the touch pad over the little eraser nub any day, so 12:2 or 6:1 now. I refuse to use a machine with a cli****s. Just because they don't have a slot which fits you? -- Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. -- Raymond Lindquist |
Touchpads
On Mon, 3 May 2010 09:58:56 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote: "cavelamb" wrote in message om... Don Foreman wrote: On Sun, 2 May 2010 21:33:42 -0700, "Steve B" wrote: "steamer" wrote in message ... --Well here I am again using a computer with a huge hole I've worn in the touchpad. I'm thinking the people who engineer these things must have girlyman hands! I've got enough of a grubby index finger, probably sintered with metal chips by now, that I can't own a laptop for more than a few months B4 I wear a hole in the touchpad. I've figured out that the only reason the crummy plastic cover over the metal beneath is there is to prevent moisture from screwing up the pointer 'resolution' so what I've been doing is cutting the cover completely off, then laying down a couple of strips of electrical tape. Trouble is: the feel is a little different and not as slippery. --Curious to know: has anyone come up with a better fix?? -- "Steamboat Ed" Haas I hate touchpads and have always used wireless meece. Steve Ditto. I'm not happy with the touch-pad at all, but on the boat's computer there really isn't room for a mouse. Maybe a trackball? -- Richard Lamb http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/ I have owned a track ball since a 2000 shoulder surgery. I wouldn't own anything else, and am amazed at how hard some people find them to use. They use no desk space. Get the wireless. Steve visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com watch for the book A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Somewhere downstairs I have a serial pointing device, a little three button mouse captive on it's own base. Felix is the name on it IIRC. Gerry :-)} London, Canada |
Touchpads
Larry Jaques wrote:
On Mon, 3 May 2010 09:58:56 -0700, "Steve B" wrote the following: I have owned a track ball since a 2000 shoulder surgery. I wouldn't own anything else, and am amazed at how hard some people find them to use. They use no desk space. Get the wireless. If they weren't $100, I'd like to try a Logitech Trackman Live! handheld presentation trackball. Regular trackballs (marble on top) require your hand and/or arm to be lifted and moved. The Logitech Trackman Portable/Optical Trackman/Cordless Trackman Wheel and the Microsoft Ballpoint have the left-hand ball to be used by the thumb, -preventing- the carpal and shoulder problems most people experience with mouse use. Yes, it's amazing that people can't use their thumb (or palm) to move the ball. I fell right into it and was fully up to speed within the hour. -- Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. -- Raymond Lindquist I actually have one of those (thumb balls) from an old Compaq laptop. pretty cool toy... -- Richard Lamb http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/ |
Connecting computers (was: Touchpads)
On 2010-05-03, pyotr filipivich wrote:
Larry Jaques on Mon, 03 May 2010 06:50:26 -0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following: [ ... ] Question: Why did the idiot put the keyboard legs on the wrong side? The -front- should be lifted to alleviate carpal stress, not the back. "It made sense, at the time." A universal answer which explains many decisions, particularly when years later the person being asked has no idea why the decision was made that way in the first place. I have a network cable, but apparently one cannot simply plug it into the two ports on computers and make a simple home network. You can with a crossover cable. The twisted pair ethernet uses two pair out of the four (8 wires) available on the RJ-45 modular connector. One pair is transmit and the other pair is receive. If you use a standard cable, it is the equivalent of each computer shouting into the other computer's mouth, and listening to the other computer's ear. Not very good for communication. Ethernet hubs listen and talk on the opposite pair, so you use a straight through cable for talking to them. Since the same connector is used for a lot of other functions, the pinout is not as simple as you may expect. If you hold the connector with the wire towards you and the connector blades facing up, and number from left to right, you use the following pairs: 1\______ first pair 2/ 3\ 4 \______Second pair 5 / 6/ 7 8 That is 1 & 2 for the first pair, and 3 & 6 for the second pair. Other uses for the plug use different combinations of wires. When used for a phone, the talk circuit is on pins 4 & 5 and other pins are used for things usually needed only for a phone with a hold circuit. Other network uses for the same connector include the T1, and the Frame Relay (which use other pairs of pins. In the cable, 1 & 2 are twisted together (pair 1) 3 & 6 are twisted together (pair 2) 4 & 5 are twisted together (pair 3) 7 & 8 are twisted together (pair 4) To make the crossover cable: end 1 end 2 1---------------3 2---------------4 3---------------1 6---------------2 The other four pins at each end can be left open, or crossed over as you wish. Now _that_ is dumb. I'm updating the Sneakernet protocols to work with a thumb drive. "Windows - it just works." Now -- if you have a router, it will probably do DHCP and automatically assign IP addresses to the two computers. If you have just a plain hub or a switch, or a crossover cable as described above, you will have to go into both comptuers' network configuration programs and allocate different IP addresses to the two ends. Ideally, you want to pick IP addresses which will not be used on the outside net. There are several groupings, but the one which gives you the most leeway to expand is the one which starts with "10.". There are four "octets", separated by '.'s. Ideally, pick the first three to be the same at both ends, and you can then just worry about picking different numbers for the last octet. The range of legal values of the octets are between 0 and 255, but for some reasons it will be good to avoid 0, and 255 for the last octet. By making only the last octet different, you don't have to worry about things like the netmask to allow the computers to talk to each other. The reason that this is so complex is because it was designed not just to connect two computers together, but rather millions of computers around the world. But you *can* make two Windows boxen talk to each other if you know how to configure it, and have (or make) either a crossover cable, or have a hub or router. I can tell you how to do it with unix boxen, but I don't play with Windows often enough to remember how to do it. Search on the web. You can probably pick up a used DSL modem or wireless hub or something similar and they will handle the DHCP for you, even if you don't have anything connected to the outside world. (Be careful with the wireless hub, because it will result in others driving by your house (or the nearby neighbors) being able to pick up your communications, even if you are not connected to the outside net. Enjoy, DoN. -- Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564 (too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html --- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- |
Connecting computers (was: Touchpads)
On May 3, 10:30*pm, "DoN. Nichols" wrote:
On 2010-05-03, pyotr filipivich wrote: Larry Jaques on Mon, 03 May 2010 06:50:26 -0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking *the following: * * * * [ ... ] Question: Why did the idiot put the keyboard legs on the wrong side? The -front- should be lifted to alleviate carpal stress, not the back. * *"It made sense, at the time." *A universal answer which explains many decisions, particularly when years later the person being asked has no idea why the decision was made that way in the first place. * *I have a network cable, but apparently one cannot simply plug it into the two ports on computers and make a simple home network. * * * * You can with a crossover cable. *The twisted pair ethernet uses two pair out of the four (8 wires) available on the RJ-45 modular connector. *One pair is transmit and the other pair is receive. *If you use a standard cable, it is the equivalent of each computer shouting into the other computer's mouth, and listening to the other computer's ear. *Not very good for communication. * * * * Ethernet hubs listen and talk on the opposite pair, so you use a straight through cable for talking to them. * * * * Since the same connector is used for a lot of other functions, the pinout is not as simple as you may expect. *If you hold the connector with the wire towards you and the connector blades facing up, and number from left to right, you use the following pairs: 1\______ first pair 2/ 3\ 4 \______Second pair 5 / 6/ 7 8 That is 1 & 2 for the first pair, and 3 & 6 for the second pair. *Other uses for the plug use different combinations of wires. *When used for a phone, the talk circuit is on pins 4 & 5 and other pins are used for things usually needed only for a phone with a hold circuit. Other network uses for the same connector include the T1, and the Frame Relay (which use other pairs of pins. In the cable, * 1 & 2 are twisted together *(pair 1) * * * * * * * * 3 & 6 are twisted together *(pair 2) * * * * * * * * 4 & 5 are twisted together *(pair 3) * * * * * * * * 7 & 8 are twisted together *(pair 4) * * * * To make the crossover cable: end 1 * * * * * end 2 1---------------3 2---------------4 3---------------1 6---------------2 The other four pins at each end can be left open, or crossed over as you wish. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Now _that_ is dumb. *I'm updating the Sneakernet protocols to work with a thumb drive. *"Windows - it just works." * * * * Now -- if you have a router, it will probably do DHCP and automatically assign IP addresses to the two computers. *If you have just a plain hub or a switch, or a crossover cable as described above, you will have to go into both comptuers' network configuration programs and allocate different IP addresses to the two ends. *Ideally, you want to pick IP addresses which will not be used on the outside net. *There are several groupings, but the one which gives you the most leeway to expand is the one which starts with "10.". *There are four "octets", separated by '.'s. *Ideally, pick the first three to be the same at both ends, and you can then just worry about picking different numbers for the last octet. *The range of legal values of the octets are between 0 and 255, but for some reasons it will be good to avoid 0, and 255 for the last octet. *By making only the last octet different, you don't have to worry about things like the netmask to allow the computers to talk to each other. * * * * The reason that this is so complex is because it was designed not just to connect two computers together, but rather millions of computers *around the world. * * * * But you *can* make two Windows boxen talk to each other if you know how to configure it, and have (or make) either a crossover cable, or have a hub or router. * * * * I can tell you how to do it with unix boxen, but I don't play with Windows often enough to remember how to do it. *Search on the web. * * * * You can probably pick up a used DSL modem or wireless hub or something similar and they will handle the DHCP for you, even if you don't have anything connected to the outside world. *(Be careful with the wireless hub, because it will result in others driving by your house (or the nearby neighbors) being able to pick up your communications, even if you are not connected to the outside net. * * * * Enjoy, * * * * * * * * DoN. -- *Email: * * | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564 * * * * (too) near Washington D.C. |http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html * * * * * *--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- Actually if you don't have a router to supply DHCP, you don't have to configure anything. Windows boxes (and, I'm sure, many other devices) will do APIPA, or Automatic Private IP Addressing, which automatically assigns a 169.254.x.x address. So, you CAN just hook up two windows computers with nothing but a crossover cable (or a dumb hub or switch) and have them talk to each other. No configuration necessary at all. It just works. |
Touchpads
On May 3, 6:03*pm, pyotr filipivich wrote:
Larry Jaques on Mon, 03 May 2010 06:50:26 -0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking *the following: I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. * I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. I've recently seen those on eBay for $8. *Sucha deal! *Let me know how they feel. I haven't seen one in a store. * * * * I saw one in a story - $24. *I'll look for a store closer. I moved away from mice about 15 years ago due to carpal warning twinges. The ache went away that day. Question: Why did the idiot put the keyboard legs on the wrong side? The -front- should be lifted to alleviate carpal stress, not the back. * * * * "It made sense, at the time." *A universal answer which explains many decisions, particularly when years later the person being asked has no idea why the decision was made that way in the first place. * * * * I have a network cable, but apparently one cannot simply plug it into the two ports on computers and make a simple home network. *Now _that_ is dumb. *I'm updating the Sneakernet protocols to work with a thumb drive. *"Windows - it just works." - pyotr filipivich We will drink no whiskey before its nine. It's eight fifty eight. Close enough! I have a phone wire, but I can't just plug it into the ports on two phones and make a simple home phone system. Is THAT dumb? The Ethernet adapters on your computers were designed to connect to each other through the appropriate equipment, which could be as simple as a crossover cable, or as complicated as the whole internet. There are many switches and hubs which are smart enough to figure out which pair is being used for transmit and which for receive. I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that there are PC Ethernet cards that do likewise, eliminating the need for crossover cables. But the standard is quite clear on this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIA/EIA-568-B BTW, which whiskey do you drink? I go back & forth between Jameson and Jack Daniels. |
Touchpads
On May 3, 6:05*pm, "Ed Huntress" wrote:
"Wes" wrote in message ... pyotr filipivich wrote: I've a new (to me) laptop, and after the first long session, I went bought a mouse. * I'm considering one of the roll up keyboards, too. If I had to use a laptop for an extended period, I'd bring an external keyboard with me. Wes A corded keyboard and mouse go in my shoulder bag with my laptop. I'd rather used the mouse on my knee than use a freaking touchpad. And those keyboards are ridiculous if you write for a living. For surfing the Web, though, they're fine. -- Ed Huntress For surfing the web on the go, I use the touchscreen on my Droid, and it works pretty well. But I always pack a trackball (I really don't like mice) with the laptop. Speaking of trackballs, I really like the Microsoft Trackball Explorer. Last week, I thought, "Gee, I ought to get a couple more of these." Well, it's been out of production for quite a while, so I hit ebay where I found, much to my horror, that people are selling these things for over $450!!! Supply and demand, I guess. Today, I was out at Microcenter, and took a look at the trackballs on display. Didn't like any of them. Now what am I going to do? Any suggestions? |
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