Post 9vyQAPw9LICSkDo3Qe by andyc@mastodon.sdf.org
(DIR) More posts by andyc@mastodon.sdf.org
(DIR) Post #9vweIkLgLV5pPRh8xU by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T16:06:48Z
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So I bought a trackball from Amazon. It got delivered today and I've been using it all afternoon.After 4 hours of use, the back of my hand is killing me and I'm finding it really inaccurate to use.Any other trackball users out there have this issue when they first started?I'm not gonna lie, it's currently unplugged and I'm back to use a traditional mouse.
(DIR) Post #9vweeq1ruHH3OixfHM by ChrisWere@linuxrocks.online
2020-06-10T16:10:46Z
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@kev Are you using one where you control the ball with your thumb?
(DIR) Post #9vwffiRVhLuO72wBQO by EclecticEclipse@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T16:22:08Z
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@kev if youve never been a trackball user, or havent used one in years, it makes sense your hand is hurting. Its a new set of muscles in hour hand, wrist, and arm.Give it some time, and the pain should subside. If it doesnt, perhaps the trackball you picked up isnt ergonomically correct for your hands.And also, mice rose to prominence over trackball largely because of accuracy concerns. That being said, after some practice youll be just as good with a trackball as with a mouse.
(DIR) Post #9vwgKsDwElPEJyDNZo by hrodnand@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T16:29:41Z
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@kev I am using a trackball (for the thumb) since years.Sure, you need some time to adapt, but I have no accuracy issue at all and especially when traveling by train or plane it's a real convenience to just put it on the armrest. Maybe your "training session" was a bit too long. 😉
(DIR) Post #9vwgSi0y4vnsyTsspk by mindcls@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T16:29:50Z
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@kev Logitech MX Ergo, fantastic trackball mouse..
(DIR) Post #9vwiL5JtkIyMqXENX6 by lenarc@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T16:49:43Z
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@kev I've seen a lot of people get better better RoI with vertical mice than trackballs, especially now that "gamer" vertical mice is a thing you can get pretty decent ones on the cheap.I'm a daily trackball user, and your experience is not particularly surprising. I didn't go through that kind of pain. I was productive at 100% within two days. It's just not for everyone.
(DIR) Post #9vwjOXYPKRltEfEGXY by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:03:58Z
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@ChrisWere no, with my middle finger. This is the one I got...
(DIR) Post #9vwjTDN5nJ285YAKAK by EclecticEclipse@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T16:22:54Z
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@kev out of curiosity, what model did you get?
(DIR) Post #9vwjTDcKsdE6qpIUvQ by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:04:46Z
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@EclecticEclipse I got the Kensington Orbit.
(DIR) Post #9vwjWUv90FtHNwesvQ by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:05:17Z
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@hrodnand hahahaha! Well I have been working from home! 🤣🤣🤣
(DIR) Post #9vwjdV3IucIDovoWtk by mookie@semicharmed.net
2020-06-10T17:01:49.708101Z
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@kev Which did you get? I have been using Logitech trackballs for a while. Currently using an MX Ergo and it's great because of the different configurations for comfort and also the button that allows me to get precise tracking when I need it. It does take a little to get used to using a trackball though.https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/mx-ergo-wireless-trackball-mouse
(DIR) Post #9vwjdVFiAUDYRPcREm by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:06:34Z
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@mookie I got the Kensington Orbit. I wanted a Logitech, but I’m left handed and they don’t make them for us. 😕
(DIR) Post #9vwjmjU0d1WjBOhvw8 by ChrisWere@linuxrocks.online
2020-06-10T17:08:08Z
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@kev Oh that's quite a surprise, I know of problems with thumb-controlled ones. The only thing I can suggest is a wrist rest. I use one.
(DIR) Post #9vwk7gCY1aP15PWpZA by jbauer@social.paritybit.ca
2020-06-10T17:11:57Z
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@kev I have an MX Ergo at work (thumb-based trackball) and didn't experience this or even soreness in my thumb. The finger-based ones do stress different parts of your hand so it may just be that the mouse isn't right for you.Accuracy will come with time. It was rough at the start, but I quickly got used to it and have no problem hitting small targets now. Also, you may want to experiment with varying degrees of mouse acceleration.
(DIR) Post #9vwkJBKKdnHUo1ecBk by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:14:12Z
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@ChrisWere it does come with a wrist rest. May just be because I’m not used to it. I’ll persevere.
(DIR) Post #9vwkKmvILQfjhKi22y by bkhan@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:14:17Z
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@kev It really depends on the person and the trackball. I have a Logitech Trackman Marble that works amazingly for me, and a CST L-Trac that makes my hand cramp up. It will feel better once you get used to it. I got used to trackballs by playing first person games. They're not going to get you any eSports wins, but looking around with a trackball is surprisingly intuitive.
(DIR) Post #9vwkLoil96flYzKvOS by gray@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:14:22Z
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@kev @mookie The joy of being a lefty. I've adapted most things to the righty world these days except writing and scissors. Watching a right handed person use my scissors is hilarious.It results in a "now you know how we feel you right handed weirdos!"
(DIR) Post #9vwkU8q2EZ5gGyi1NA by chris@mastodon.chriswiegman.com
2020-06-10T17:16:02Z
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@kev @ChrisWere Be careful with that. I thought that with the last mouse after my writ was sore a few hours in. Thought I would "break it in" or something. Wound up needed a few hours of PT to reverse the damage after a few weeks of trying to make it work. Wound up replacing it.
(DIR) Post #9vwnto9c3lCxVtnSJk by EclecticEclipse@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T17:54:26Z
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@kev this style will definitely take some getting used too. Trackball on top is not really an ergonomic solution as much as it is a space saving solution.This would also be nice to use standing up.
(DIR) Post #9vwrHUypIcXwrJjuzo by techzerker@social.librem.one
2020-06-10T18:32:12Z
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@kev I had similar, and found the problem was I needed the mouse higher to flatten my wrist angle. With my wrist bent back a bit using the trackball, my hand hurt similar...
(DIR) Post #9vwrur70wktwnIKuW0 by mookie@semicharmed.net
2020-06-10T17:18:38.851714Z
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@kev Understood. That stinks that Logitech doesn't support left-handers. 😞​
(DIR) Post #9vwrurTLbilXuYmkKG by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T18:39:20Z
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@mookie yeah, real shame. I hunted high and low, but couldn’t find anything, then found a forum thread on their website saying they don’t do them.There are others on Amazon, but would rather pay a little more for a brand I know.
(DIR) Post #9vwrz6ECghvEpkirjc by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T18:40:05Z
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@chris @ChrisWere oooo that’s interesting.
(DIR) Post #9vws5wQbWRm6Szmkvg by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T18:41:23Z
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@gray @mookie hahaha! My wife is like that. She’s a lefty too, but only really for writing. Everything she’s converted to RH.I refuse to do it - I’m gonna fly the flag for lefties everywhere! 🤣🤣
(DIR) Post #9vwtDzjZDOTgzT3iwi by chris@mastodon.chriswiegman.com
2020-06-10T18:54:03Z
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@kev @ChrisWere It sucked. But now I have a Logitech MX Vertical mouse and no more wrist pain. That part has been nice
(DIR) Post #9vwtJRh6gdLN9iVX2O by Phaserune@boosterfive.com
2020-06-10T18:54:56Z
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@kev I've wanted to switch to a trackball myself. I've always though that the ones you use with your thumb would be the most comfortable to use, as they are shaped and held in very much the same way you're already used to holding a mouse. Wast there a reason you went specifically for one different to the thumb variants?
(DIR) Post #9vwu8DZ8yXSc6czcg4 by jbauer@social.paritybit.ca
2020-06-10T19:04:10Z
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@kev Ah, I didn't realize you were left-handed. In that case... perhaps a Wacom tablet would work well? There is out of the box Linux support thanks to the community and it's very effective as a mouse replacement even if you don't do much art.https://captainbodgit.blogspot.com/2017/03/using-wacom-tablet-on-linux.htmlhttps://thenextweb.com/opinion/2017/07/21/tried-replacing-mouse-wacom-tablet-almost-stuck/@mookie
(DIR) Post #9vwuc2vl57C3oCnI8G by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:09:23Z
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@Phaserune couple reasons. Mainly because I’m left handed and there were no reputable ones that I could find.Apparently thumb ones are worse for your hand according to the little bit of searching & research I did. Rationale being that your thumb isn’t designed to be that dextrous.
(DIR) Post #9vwufusWxdDPzh86QC by Phaserune@boosterfive.com
2020-06-10T19:04:58Z
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@kev Well you just give me the push I needed to get one myself. I'll make sure report back on how it goes. You might be interested to hear I went with a similar design as you. After reading some reports, it is apparently better for your hand.
(DIR) Post #9vwufv3sHSI0YsRA6S by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:10:16Z
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@Phaserune please do. Genuinely, I’d love to hear how it goes for you.
(DIR) Post #9vwukST616QhKTOlvc by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:11:10Z
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@jbauer @mookie I have a Wacom for digital art. Couldn’t use it all day instead of a mouse.
(DIR) Post #9vwuxtfeBqQJScg3do by WhoNeedszZz@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:13:30Z
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@kev The reason you're experiencing pain is because they are not ergonomic at all. The way they are shaped it puts your hand and wrist in poor positions. Wrist rests are also counter-productive and do the same thing.
(DIR) Post #9vwvkNcO9JvgF0Gtto by jbauer@social.paritybit.ca
2020-06-10T19:22:18Z
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@kev Fair. Well, assuming brain surgery is not an option... the only other options I can think of are buying a keyboard with a trackpoint or buying a standalone trackpad 😛 @mookie
(DIR) Post #9vwvqoGXzEXMco7aka by VikingKong@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:23:31Z
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@kevI've got the same trackball. The location of the buttons is stupid and uncomfortable. Leaving aside this issue, the device is pretty good.@ChrisWere
(DIR) Post #9vwvtst5GCG1pLc3CC by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:23:57Z
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@jbauer @mookie 🤣🤣🤣 Brain surgery may be a little too far
(DIR) Post #9vwvxhlUYU0QUQsplY by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:24:44Z
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@VikingKong did you have any issues/pain when you first started using it?@ChrisWere
(DIR) Post #9vwwTpiWWbF8Q4oahM by codeHaiku@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:30:24Z
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@kev I would recommend the #logitech #m570 . The one you have looks pretty painful to use for prolonged time.
(DIR) Post #9vwwaza2FiGp2KG56u by VikingKong@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:31:52Z
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@kevYes, I had a pain in my wrist. But, to be frank, I have this pain (and spasms in my right ring finger and pinky) for about 3 years, so I'm not a good example here. The only device which somehow helps me to cope with it is a vertical mouse.@ChrisWere
(DIR) Post #9vwwlvgt3Obg9ug7v6 by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:33:45Z
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@codeHaiku they don’t make that mouse for left handed people. 😕
(DIR) Post #9vwz6kY9rzmzb0eRPc by DragonLich@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T19:59:47Z
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@kev My advice. Don't use mouse. I'm trying to have a great ergonomic keyboard and trying to avoid mouse.I'm still using it but like 50% less.
(DIR) Post #9vx7BxtYTo7s4AeoYS by DragonLich@fosstodon.org
2020-06-10T21:30:25Z
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@kev My advice. Don't use mouse. I'm trying to have a great ergonomic keyboard and to avoid mouse.I'm still using it but like 50% less.
(DIR) Post #9vyQAPw9LICSkDo3Qe by andyc@mastodon.sdf.org
2020-06-11T12:37:46Z
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@kev @ChrisWere I use this trackerball. I remember it was challenging (muscle memory) but now I have adopted it, I find it hard to use a conventional mouse.
(DIR) Post #9vyQcO0i6AA0sVHBHE by kev@fosstodon.org
2020-06-11T12:42:58Z
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@andyc I think what I'm struggling with is the position of the buttons compared to where my hand sits. I'm finding that I'm hovering my 2 middle fingers, rather than resting them on the device.It's this "hovering" that's causing the pain, I think.@ChrisWere
(DIR) Post #9vyQpK521S9SS9SxMG by andyc@mastodon.sdf.org
2020-06-11T12:45:11Z
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@kev @ChrisWere Interesting. /me starts to analyse his fingering technique. A lot of ladies have told me it's suboptimal.
(DIR) Post #9w2fMXAC5tVaujAQ6a by dwc@fosstodon.org
2020-06-13T13:46:05Z
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@kev I have been a long-time user of a logitec trackball I got over a decade ago for $9. It died and I haven't been able to fix it. I'm having the opposite problem adjusting to a mouse.