geekhack
geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: vils on Sat, 02 May 2009, 06:49:19
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My 4 year old is having trouble in using my mouse. I found an old Microsoft TrackBall, seemed good but alas with serial connection. Serial to USB adapters costs a fortune and I don't know if the trackball works or not.
Do you have any ideas of a good pointing device for a kid?
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serial-USB adapters cost merely a few dollars. Check out dealextreme.com - free shipping worldwide.
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ripster, Interesting. I've never had occasion to use a USB/serial adapter though. And I do remember using an EasyBall or something similar at age 4.
OP, maybe a Kensington Expert Mouse trackball would be good for your kid. It has a big ball so I think it woud be more user friendly.
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Almost no Serial-to-USB converter can cope with serial mice. If I recall correctly, they use a somewhat obscure data format or employ semi-realtime communication. I don't remember the details, but there was some technical reason most converters don't support it.
-huha
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Hmm... if my calculations are correct you're too young to be looking at that Mickey Mouse picture. Close your eyes.:baby:
Hah, found it on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/MICROSOFT-MOUSE-EASYBALL-EASY-BALL-COMPUTER-LEARNING_W0QQitemZ120391082085QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item1c07de2065&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
- Ripster
I'm nearly seventeen, and trust me, I've seen worse at my high school. :P
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Thanks for all input. If I were to buy an expensive serial-usb converter thatpossibly could cope with this, do you have any recommendations?
If not I think I'll just buy a new trackball, or maybe build a new comp around a mobo with serial port.
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Thanks for all input. If I were to buy an expensive serial-usb converter thatpossibly could cope with this, do you have any recommendations?
If not I think I'll just buy a new trackball, or maybe build a new comp around a mobo with serial port.
Or why don't you just get a PCI card? Those will add a native IRQ4/IRQ3 serial port, and work with anything.
Check here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=73&Description=&Type=&N=40000073&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=1871%3A17618&PropertyCodeValue=1871%3A12434&PropertyCodeValue=1871%3A35383&PropertyCodeValue=1871%3A26951&PropertyCodeValue=1871%3A12436
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You should also be able to find a PCMCIA/ExpressCard serial port if you're on a laptop.
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Your avatar (Manyak) tells me a bit about how stupid I'm feeling. Excellent solution, won't work on the laptop but my other comp has a spare PCI-slot.
Thanks again...
I prefer that he uses my wifes non laptop computer ;)
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I like the way you think:lol:, any excuse for a new computer.
The serial card should work and if it doesn't they look pretty cheap. The problem with the USB dongles was probably the IRQ issue.
- Ripster
Always looking for an excuse. And I have tonnes of computer crap lying around.
And OT,
My wife has typed intensivly on our Filco mini, brown cherries, all evening. I love that sound, and she loves typing on it.
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Yeah you know what...forget I mentioned the PCI card....just get one of these boards (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131374) and you'll be set.
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Do you think he'll miss a kidney?
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Do you think he'll miss a kidney?
Nah, he's got a spare :laugh:
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Yeah you know what...forget I mentioned the PCI card....just get one of these boards (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131374) and you'll be set.
Do I see an iButton socket there?
That would be really great for 1-wire connectivity and doing all kinds of funky stuff.
-huha
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Today I realized that my wife's Intel Atom computer (I built just before christmas) did have a serial port and the track ball worked perfectly. Along with the ordinary Logitech wireless mouse.
Lesson: Never assume anything. Check.