The Best Mouse Option

As mentioned in a previous post (about Dvorak), I enjoy experimenting with comfortable computer peripherals and efficient input layouts. Today my setup includes:

• A ZSA Moonlander keyboard running four layouts
• A wireless Kensington 'expert mouse' trackball

Although my setup doesn't include a pedal or a power glove, it's probably weirder than most, but today I want to commend the trackball. After using a standard mouse for my entire life I noticed that my right shoulder felt incredibly loose after a long gaming/computer session (through my late teens and 20s). Out of an abundance of caution, I branched out to experiment with other mouse options.

Today I'm hear to spread the message of giant trackballs. 

I've been using the trackball for over a year now and can't praise it enough. While my shoulder sensitivity may be due to a brutal swimming career as a child/teen, I haven't had to deal with any shoulder discomfort while on the computer since switching to the trackball, since my shoulder no longer has to move!

There's something incredibly satisfying about the dimensions of the 2 inch diameter trackball itself, and I almost wish it was larger. But the feature I love most is the scroll ring going around the trackball. To scroll down a giant webpage I can give it a nice flick. Since the scroll ring is larger than a standard mouse wheel, it has tons of momentum for effective scroll flicking. And with the four customizable buttons I can position the track ball in the middle of the split keyboard or to either side without issue.

Not only is it ambidextrous, but you have flexibility with just one hand. If certain fingers are tired of pushing the trackball you can easily use others. Hate fingers? Move the mouse with your palm. Scroll with the back of your pinky, or your thumb, it's amazing. 

Apparently the original trackball from Kensington could use a pool cue ball, too bad the units are hard to find!