Wireless Trackballs
While a trackball is a device used for ‘pointing’ mainly within CAD work environments, a ‘wireless trackball’ allows for a much broader range of ergonomic flexibility.
Wireless Trackball
Requiring less space than a mouse, a trackball is perfect for use where space is limited such as a desk that is cluttered. Where desk space is at a premium, the trackball is found to be a strong favourite. The environments therefore that are most suited to the trackball are laboratories, studios and workshops.
The first ever trackball produced was for the Royal Canadian Navy’s DATAR project. In 1952 Tom Cranston, Kenyon Taylor and Fred Longstaff produced this using a basic Canadian bowling ball!
Trackballs have come a long way since with wireless trackballs being the ‘flavour of the moment’. With their simplicity and adaptability, wireless trackballs excel in their ergonomic benefits.
Other than useful in environments where space is limited, the trackball is beneficial for people with mobility limitations. Trackballs in essence allow the user to determine direction where buttons fail because it can be manipulated with less effort. The beauty of a wireless trackball and indeed any type of trackball is that it can be operated with a minimum of effort with no need for a flat service. A laptop can be browsed from bed or a chair with the trackball without any necessity for desk space.
How do they work? A trackball is usually operated using your thumb or can be finger operated too. It consists of a ball within a socket that contains rotation-detecting sensors and resembles a mouse that is upside down. Just as the ball is rolled using the thumb, palm or fingers the cursor in the screen will move instantaneously.
Computer users who prefer the trackball over a mouse enjoy the ergonomic advantages especially those working in a CAD environment. Disabled users prefer the trackball (as well as the wireless trackball) because movement of the whole hand is not necessary as is the case with a mouse. In the case of elderly computer users, the double clicking of a mouse whilst holding it proves tricky and so prefer the trackball for its simplicity.
The benefits of the wireless trackball are numerous including that it can be held in one hand and operating the ball with the thumb whilst pressing the buttons with the other thumb (as one would with a TV remote control). This is ideal whilst browsing the web and not typing. Why not try out a trackball for yourself?