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| 21 Apr 2008 20:54:04 |
| pg |
| Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
Hi, all ! I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them is trackball. There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be used by the disabled with ease. Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy enough to be used. One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by infogrip ( www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98 ) I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better than the BIGTRACK that I list above? If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be easy for the disabled, please share with us. Thank you all in advance !! Sincerely, Lee |
| 22 Apr 2008 07:40:53 |
| GlowingBlueMist |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
"pg" <penang@catholic.org > wrote in message news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > Hi, all ! > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > is trackball. > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > used by the disabled with ease. > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > enough to be used. > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > infogrip ( www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98 ) > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > Thank you all in advance !! > I purchased one of the BIGtrack trackballs for a 70 year old relative who has limited dexterity in his hands due to an industrial accident. He tends to loose his temper while playing computer card games and gets a little ruff with things, not that anyone could ever get him to quit playing the games. He never used a computer until he was 65 and has become quite addicted to the games available to him. Prior to purchasing the BIGtrack trackball he had either worn out or broken three other trackballs. The Kensington trackball lasted the longest before suffering a fatal break in one of the roller guide supports. He was always complaining that even when the other trackballs worked he had a hard time keeping the pointer where he wanted it. It has been 6 months with the BIGtrack unit and he has not complained once about controlling the pointer. He has commented that he liked the larger sized trackball that the unit provided. It has withstood his somewhat physical temper tantrums with no breakdowns, so far. There is one thing about the BIGtrack trackball that takes a little getting used to. The mouse buttons are on the top of the trackball, away from the person rolling the ball. I thought the button placement to be a little odd at first but it does help in reducing most accidental button triggering by a random hand or arm movement. For those who have even more severe limitations I suggest getting the BIGtrack unit that supports external buttons. That way you can place the buttons anywhere convenient for the user independent of the trackball. Be they foot activated or strapped to the arm of a wheel chair. |
| 22 Apr 2008 12:23:05 |
| Casey |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
I used Kensington's Trackball for years, no problems until I wore it out basically. They were one of few when I started in computers and have excellent products. I now use one made by Logitech ... it is smaller however. I also recommend a wireless keyboard ... one finger typing is better done on the lap in my opinion ... and mine is Logitech as well. "pg" <penang@catholic.org > wrote in message news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > Hi, all ! > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > is trackball. > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > used by the disabled with ease. > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > enough to be used. > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > infogrip ( www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98 ) > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > Thank you all in advance !! > > > Sincerely, > Lee |
| 22 Apr 2008 18:14:10 |
| Lila Godel |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
pg wrote: > Hi, all ! > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > is trackball. Check out the links for Kid-TRAC, PC-TRAC, Max-TRAC, Max-TRAC - Beige and Max-TRAC - Black at http://lila.godel.com/html/hardware.htm. With any model you get 1. two equally sized left and right buttons for ease of use by left handed people and right handed people 2. a middle mouse button which works as toggle button to turn scroll lock on and off (With this feature text can be blocked by just rolling the ball.) 3. a curved base that may confirm to your hand better than the base of other devices 4. a large ball for easy control |
| 23 Apr 2008 05:20:22 |
| pg |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
On Apr 22, 4:23 am, "M.I.5=BE" <no....@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk > wrote: > "pg" <pen...@catholic.org> wrote in message > > news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > > > > > Hi, all ! > > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > > is trackball. > > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > > used by the disabled with ease. > > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > > enough to be used. > > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > > infogrip (www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=3D98) > > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > > Thank you all in advance !! > > It is a surprisingly difficult thing for an able bodied person to decide > what system would suit a disabled person best. The reality is that you ju= st > don't have the necessary experience or qualifications. I have even seen > examples of so called 'disability facility consultants' get it totally > wrong. > > The best solution (and probably the most impractical) would be to provide = a > variety of mouse/trackball devices and allow the user to decide which one > will suit him best. Disabled people are often able to adapt to something > that although not ideal, comes close. Many of the disabled have hands that keep shaking uncontrollably. The limited "experiments" that I've done with them --- with all kinds and sizes of mice/trackball/tablets --- I found out that the new crops of "cute" mice, the one they call "ergonomic", are NOT suitable for them at all. That is why I searched and searched the Net for something with a bigger ball, something that is more stable, that they can use. That 'BIGTRACK" is the one I've found. I post this question because I need to find out if there are any other types of trackballs out there. Thank you for replying. |
| 23 Apr 2008 05:22:35 |
| pg |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
Thanks for replying !! I searched the net for days, and the only one so far that I've found is BigTrack. The ball is big enough for those who have frail hands, and for those whose hands keep shaking uncontrollably. I'm glad that BigTrack works for your uncle. Again, thanks for replying !!! On Apr 22, 5:40 am, "GlowingBlueMist" <nob...@invalid.com > wrote: > "pg" <pen...@catholic.org> wrote in message > > news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > > > Hi, all ! > > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > > is trackball. > > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > > used by the disabled with ease. > > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > > enough to be used. > > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > > infogrip (www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98) > > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > > Thank you all in advance !! > > I purchased one of the BIGtrack trackballs for a 70 year old relative who > has limited dexterity in his hands due to an industrial accident. > > He tends to loose his temper while playing computer card games and gets a > little ruff with things, not that anyone could ever get him to quit playing > the games. He never used a computer until he was 65 and has become quite > addicted to the games available to him. > > Prior to purchasing the BIGtrack trackball he had either worn out or broken > three other trackballs. The Kensington trackball lasted the longest before > suffering a fatal break in one of the roller guide supports. He was always > complaining that even when the other trackballs worked he had a hard time > keeping the pointer where he wanted it. > > It has been 6 months with the BIGtrack unit and he has not complained once > about controlling the pointer. He has commented that he liked the larger > sized trackball that the unit provided. It has withstood his somewhat > physical temper tantrums with no breakdowns, so far. > > There is one thing about the BIGtrack trackball that takes a little getting > used to. The mouse buttons are on the top of the trackball, away from the > person rolling the ball. I thought the button placement to be a little odd > at first but it does help in reducing most accidental button triggering by a > random hand or arm movement. > > For those who have even more severe limitations I suggest getting the > BIGtrack unit that supports external buttons. That way you can place the > buttons anywhere convenient for the user independent of the trackball. Be > they foot activated or strapped to the arm of a wheel chair. |
| 23 Apr 2008 05:25:20 |
| pg |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
I used to use a Kensington trackball for many years, the one with big ball. I agree with you, it's a good trackball. Unfortunately, Kensington doesn't make trackballs with big ball anymore. What they are making now are those "cute-cute" stylish trackballs. While those might be okay for the able-body people, disabled people with hands shaking uncontrollably just can't use those "cute" trackballs. Thanks for replying !! On Apr 22, 9:23 am, "Casey" <s...@cfl.rr.com > wrote: > I used Kensington's Trackball for years, no problems until I wore it out > basically. They were one of few when I started in computers and have > excellent products. I now use one made by Logitech ... it is smaller > however. I also recommend a wireless keyboard ... one finger typing is > better done on the lap in my opinion ... and mine is Logitech as well. > > "pg" <pen...@catholic.org> wrote in message > > news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > > > Hi, all ! > > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > > is trackball. > > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > > used by the disabled with ease. > > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > > enough to be used. > > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > > infogrip (www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98) > > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > > Thank you all in advance !! > > > Sincerely, > > Lee |
| 23 Apr 2008 19:24:24 |
| Susan Moskowitz |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
pg, If the disabled people who will be using this computer lab have clear speech, consider adding speech recognition software to some or all of your computers. This is particularly easy to do if you are using Windows Vista, as the operating system has a fairly comprehensive Microsoft compatible speech recognition program built right in to it. Look in the ease of access section of the control panel. It provides multiple ways to position the mouse including both "Show Numbers", which assigns a number to each icon on the desktop or web page, and also a traditional Mouse grid option. Susan "pg" <penang@catholic.org > wrote in message news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... >Hi, all ! > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > is trackball. > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > used by the disabled with ease. > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > enough to be used. > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > infogrip ( www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98 ) > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > Thank you all in advance !! > > > Sincerely, > Lee |
| 23 Apr 2008 17:53:28 |
| pg |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
We already have the speech recognition thing installed. It's the hands- on input device that we need to take special care of. One of the aim for the computer lab is to encourage the disabled to use their hands, however frail their hands may be. Encouragement is the key, not frustration. The current crop of "cute" mice just frustrated the disable too much. On Apr 23, 12:24 pm, "Susan Moskowitz" <susanmoskowit...@verizon.net > wrote: > pg, > If the disabled people who will be using this computer lab have clear > speech, consider adding speech recognition software to some or all of your > computers. This is particularly easy to do if you are using Windows Vista, > as the operating system has a fairly comprehensive Microsoft compatible > speech recognition program built right in to it. Look in the ease of access > section of the control panel. It provides multiple ways to position the > mouse including both "Show Numbers", which assigns a number to each icon on > the desktop or web page, and also a traditional Mouse grid option. > Susan"pg" <pen...@catholic.org> wrote in message > > news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > > >Hi, all ! > > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > > is trackball. > > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > > used by the disabled with ease. > > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > > enough to be used. > > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > > infogrip (www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98) > > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > > easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > > Thank you all in advance !! > > > Sincerely, > > Lee |
| 23 Apr 2008 17:54:11 |
| pg |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
On Apr 22, 3:14 pm, Lila Godel <l...@godel.com > wrote: > pg wrote: > > Hi, all ! > > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > > is trackball. > > Check out the links for Kid-TRAC, PC-TRAC, Max-TRAC, Max-TRAC - Beige > and Max-TRAC - Black athttp://lila.godel.com/html/hardware.htm. > > With any model you get > > 1. two equally sized left and right buttons for ease > of use by left handed people and right handed people > 2. a middle mouse button which works as toggle button > to turn scroll lock on and off > (With this feature text can be blocked by just > rolling the ball.) > 3. a curved base that may confirm to your hand better > than the base of other devices > 4. a large ball for easy control Thank you for the link. I'll check it out ! Thanks again !! |
| 23 Apr 2008 17:55:29 |
| pg |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
Can you share with us the links to those "niche" products, please? Thank you !! On Apr 22, 9:33 am, "smlunatick" <yves...@gmail.com > wrote: > Mobility reduced mice problems are a "niche" products. Both Microsoft and= > Logitech offer trackball. There were add-on touch pads offered. I found,= > years ago: > > Mouse "joystick" -- Big, similar to the plane "flight" stick > Foot controlled mouse > Eye-tracking cam for mouse controls > Breath mouse control > > Every mouse controller has their own "quirks" and you need to evaluate eac= h. > > On 22/04/2008 "M.I.5=BE" <no....@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote: > > > > >"pg" <pen...@catholic.org> wrote in message > >news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com...= > >> Hi, all ! > > >> I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > >> equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > >> good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > >> is trackball. > > >> There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > >> made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > >> used by the disabled with ease. > > >> Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy > >> enough to be used. > > >> One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > >> infogrip (www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98) > > >> I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > >> than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > >> If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be > >> easy for the disabled, please share with us. > > >> Thank you all in advance !! > > >It is a surprisingly difficult thing for an able bodied person to decide > >what system would suit a disabled person best. The reality is that you j= ust > >don't have the necessary experience or qualifications. I have even seen > >examples of so called 'disability facility consultants' get it totally > >wrong. > > >The best solution (and probably the most impractical) would be to provide= a > >variety of mouse/trackball devices and allow the user to decide which one= > >will suit him best. Disabled people are often able to adapt to something= > >that although not ideal, comes close. |
| 24 Apr 2008 01:28:16 |
| Al |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:54:04 -0700, pg wrote: > Hi, all ! > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them is > trackball. > > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be > used by the disabled with ease. > > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy enough > to be used. > > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by > infogrip ( www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98 ) > > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be easy > for the disabled, please share with us. > > Thank you all in advance !! > > > Sincerely, > Lee I have a Kensington TurboMouse, Model 64100. It's ADB for a Mac. The ball itself is 2.25 in. in diameter. There is one for sale on eBay: http:// cgi.ebay.com/KENSINGTON-TURBO-MOUSE-TRACKBALL-APPPLE-Mac- ADP-64210_W0QQitemZ250136760153QQcmdZViewItem If you think you can adapt this for your use, I'll send you mine for the cost of shipping. Al |
| 24 Apr 2008 21:29:40 |
| Susan Moskowitz |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
Oh, computers to sugar coat physical therapy. "pg" <penang@catholic.org > wrote in message news:40cf6960-dc78-47dc-b52a-46b913791093@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com... > We already have the speech recognition thing installed. It's the hands- > on input device that we need to take special care of. > > One of the aim for the computer lab is to encourage the disabled to > use their hands, however frail their hands may be. > > Encouragement is the key, not frustration. The current crop of "cute" > mice just frustrated the disable too much. > > > On Apr 23, 12:24 pm, "Susan Moskowitz" <susanmoskowit...@verizon.net> > wrote: >> pg, >> If the disabled people who will be using this computer lab have clear >> speech, consider adding speech recognition software to some or all of >> your >> computers. This is particularly easy to do if you are using Windows >> Vista, >> as the operating system has a fairly comprehensive Microsoft compatible >> speech recognition program built right in to it. Look in the ease of >> access >> section of the control panel. It provides multiple ways to position the >> mouse including both "Show Numbers", which assigns a number to each icon >> on >> the desktop or web page, and also a traditional Mouse grid option. >> Susan"pg" <pen...@catholic.org> wrote in message >> >> news:5322afe8-2411-431c-972a-8eeecbdcc5df@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com... >> >> >Hi, all ! >> >> > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for >> > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that >> > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them >> > is trackball. >> >> > There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are >> > made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be >> > used by the disabled with ease. >> >> > Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy >> > enough to be used. >> >> > One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by >> > infogrip (www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98) >> >> > I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better >> > than the BIGTRACK that I list above? >> >> > If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be >> > easy for the disabled, please share with us. >> >> > Thank you all in advance !! >> >> > Sincerely, >> > Lee |
| 29 Apr 2008 07:46:13 |
| Anton Erasmus |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:54:04 -0700 (PDT), pg <penang@catholic.org > wrote: >Hi, all ! > >I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for >equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that >good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them >is trackball. > >There are many types of trackballs available, unfortunately most are >made for the able-body people. I am looking for something that can be >used by the disabled with ease. > >Our objective is that the trackball must be big enough, and easy >enough to be used. > >One of the things we have found is the BIGTRACK trackball made by >infogrip ( www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=98 ) > >I want to know if there are other types of trackball similar or better >than the BIGTRACK that I list above? > >If you have any experience on which type of trackball that will be >easy for the disabled, please share with us. > >Thank you all in advance !! > At RS Componets they sell trackball mechanisms for industrial use. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=retrieveTfg&binCount=5&Ne=4294957561&Ntt=trackball&Ntk=I18NAll&Nr=AND%28avl%3auk%2csearchDiscon_uk%3aN%29&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&N=4294957317&Nty=1 They should be easy to mount into a custom enclosure with buttons added as required. Regards Anton Erasmus |
| 03 May 2008 11:43:37 |
| Glenn Gundlach |
| Re: Needed --- Recommendation on Trackball ! |
On Apr 22, 2:14=A0pm, Lila Godel <l...@godel.com > wrote: > pg wrote: > > Hi, all ! > > > I am setting up a computer lab for the disabled. We are looking for > > equipments that might aid the disabled (mainly those who are not that > > good in movement), and one of the things we are planning to get them > > is trackball. > > Check out the links for Kid-TRAC, PC-TRAC, Max-TRAC, Max-TRAC - Beige > and Max-TRAC - Black athttp://lila.godel.com/html/hardware.htm. > > With any model you get > > 1. =A0two equally sized left and right buttons for ease > =A0 =A0 =A0of use by left handed people and right handed people > 2. =A0a middle mouse button which works as toggle button > =A0 =A0 =A0to turn scroll lock on and off > =A0 =A0 =A0(With this feature text can be blocked by just > =A0 =A0 =A0rolling the ball.) > 3. =A0a curved base that may confirm to your hand better > =A0 =A0 =A0than the base of other devices > 4. =A0a large ball for easy control Micro-speed trackballs were one of the _worst_ rolling larger trackballs I ever used. At work and home I have 2 Kensingtons Expert Mouse - nice because its very easy to clean the ball after little kids, and 3 Mouse-Traks by Itac. WAY expensive but very well built but super when I got 3 on eBay for $15 each. Micro Speed is frustration (lots of it) in waiting. GG |