Make the Most of Mice

Steve Bass

I hate using a mouse. I write, and I want my hands on the keyboard, just where God intended them to be.

Of course I have no choice--I have to use some kind of pointing device. So I've tried hundreds. Keep me away from the touchpad variety (I get repetitive strain injuries in my finger), the silly wireless RingMouse that fits on your finger (nope, not kidding), trackballs (awful, I can't coordinate my fingers), and those knobby little sticks in notebooks (oh, please, who dreamed those up?).

Dig this: Want to see how far your mouse has traveled? Grab a copy of the Mouse Odometer, an incredible time waster.

For the time being, I'm happiest with Logitech's Optical MouseMan Wheel. It has three buttons and a wheel that scrolls and clicks. It fits my hand and has one neat feature I use a lot--a click on the wheel that brings up a cool Web navigation tool. Here's a screen shot of it working; for info on the product check out the Logitech Web site.

If you've tried Logitech but prefer something from the Evil Empire, consider Microsoft's latest. It's similar to Logitech's mouse, but I found the wheel a little too sensitive--it clicked with just a tad of pressure while my finger was resting on it. Read the review: "New IntelliMouse: Mousing Without Grousing."

Tip: If you have a mouse with a wheel, try this resizing trick. Open Microsoft Word and hold the Control key while moving the wheel up and down. The fonts change, right? Try this when you bump into a Web page with tiny text.

The Best of the Rest

Don't like my Logitech recommendation? There are plenty of other decent choices. Michael Lasky, our resident mouse maven, likes a different Logitech model, the IFeel Mouse. The mouse vibrates, giving you feedback as the cursor moves over desktop items. I don't get the appeal, but Mr. Lasky likes it. (And he's one of my bosses, so what can I say?) Read more in "On Point: New Mouse Technologies."

If that's not enough, it could be that you need something to keep you awake during those long sessions at the PC. Here's what you need: a mouse that jumps when it hears your PC. Nope, I'm not kidding. See "Vibrating Mouse Shakes Up Your Surfing."

Want to see something cool? Here's a keyboard with a touchpad and a mouse. Read "Rollerball Mouse Station Promises Leisurely Scroll" for more details.

Mouse Aches and Pains

I sometimes get a sore shoulder after a day of desktop publishing, my most mouse-intensive activity. (PC World's HR department had a hearty laugh when I asked if they'd expense a home office hot tub. You know, physical therapy?) I solved the problem with a mouse cradle that keeps the mouse close to your chair and provides terrific support for your arm. Read about it in "Mouse Cradle Offers Support."

Accessories and Tips

I know, you're bored with your usual collection of mouse pointers. (Or you have to kill some time before missing a deadline.) Try one of these alternative mouse pointers from Microsoft. To use the pointers, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then click the Mouse icon. On the Pointers tab, click the scheme you want to use, and then click OK.

Try this virtual mousing tip from PC World's Matt Lake.

And if you have a mouse with three buttons, here's a free utility you might like. Cool Mouse 97 converts your mouse-button click to a double-click, displays the Start menu, and does other nifty tricks.

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