Cordless keyboard

[david allen]

I've found that Logitech's wireless keyboard is a real benefit. I'm using the RF version, not the IR one. the IR linked keyboards require a line of sight for the light signal, the RF doesn't. now I can carry the keyboard to the SB and do keyboard control while direct viewing the tool. I'm a bit concerned about dust (especially now that I can leave the keyboard on the bench top) and am looking for some sort of 'skin' for a cover. at least now I can put the monitor and CPU behind some plexiglass to keep dust away from them.

da

[seaside@esva.net]

David,

I've been using an Acer IR cordless keyboard for a couple of months now; it was $19 from Comp USA after all the rebates! It took me a while to get used to having to point it toward the receiver to get it to work, but you don't have to be all that precise.

The one problem I've had with my cordless keyboard has been when I'm using Keyboard Control (K) in the ShopBot software. With my keyboard, if you start a move using the Keyboard Control and then turn away and lose contact with the IR tower, your ShopBot will keep moving until you aim the keyboard at the IR receiver again. This is probably not be a problem with the RF keyboards, but for safety's sake you might want to check anyway.

Bill

[bruce_clark]

Mr. Allen:

I have another philosophy about keyboards. I buy
the $12 keyboard and use it till it fills up with
sawdust. Once it breakes (haven't had one yet),
to be up and running is only $12 away. I usually
keep an extra one on hand just in case. Most
skins are more expensive than that.

I don't like the keyboard skins. I always seem
to hit more than one key when I press a key and
they feel "unnatural" to me.

As for mice, I use a Logitech Trackman Marble. No
moving parts, no "clean" deskspace (which I do not
have in my shop) and the thing can be covered with
sawdust and still work. Worth EVERY penny, though
they are expensive. Once you use one of these,
you will NEVER want to use a mouse again!

Bruce
bwclark@centurytel.net (mailto:bwclark@centurytel.net)

[birdsofplay]

here here !!!

I have always wonderd why this mouse hasn't become more prolific.

1. Its sits in one place and requires less room than a moving mounse.

2. It's fairly ergonomic.

3. There is no moving parts except the big red thumball. It's optical !
Which means it's impervious to gressy thumbs and dust, potatoe chips, even coffee or pop

4. the buttons are in "just the right" position so you dont "miss target" when pressing a button.
Unlike so many other trackballs that make you "trip all over" them selves.

Its' SO GOOD that I even play "shoot em up" games with it and find targeting to works great.

It does take a bit of getting used to but
IT"S WELL WORTH IT ! over the long run.

Hey, they're down to $49 or less lately.

[bruce_clark]

Bob,

What do you mean hasn't become more prolific? I
have 4--one on every computer.

I tell everyone I see, who still uses a mouse "You
will hate it the first day and love it for the
rest of your life!"

I refuse to use a regular mouse.

Bruce
bwclark@centurytel.net (mailto:bwclark@centurytel.net)

[sheldon@dingwallguitars.com]

I haven't used the logitech, but you've got me currious now. I've found the Microsoft IntelliMouse to be a dream for working with AutoCAD. The fingertip control of zooming and panning is wonderful.

[bruce_clark]

Mr. Dingwall,

The Trackman Marble + (plus) has a middle finger
wheel that not only acts as a third button, but it
also allows "scrolling" or whatever else you want
to set it as.

The Logitech software is pretty good too. I use
the middle "roller" as a vertical scroll bar. So
now, I never have to move the mouse to read
documents that are more than a screen long. It is
also configurable so you can make each turning
increment anywhere from 1 to 100000 lines, though
I find 3 is about right for me.

Now, I have seen the new Microsoft IntelliMouce,
but I promiss, the Trackman is still WAY better.

Bruce
bwclark@centurytel.net (mailto:bwclark@centurytel.net)

[birdsofplay]

ok ok ok
I guess there are more BELIEVERS out there than I had originally thought.

I have em on both home PCs and at that shop :-)

I just hope they dont discontinue it.