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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: Specter_57 on Sat, 27 February 2010, 15:16:08

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: Specter_57 on Sat, 27 February 2010, 15:16:08

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Just a few of my everyday use "pointing devices"


....several years ago...somebody once told me that apparantely Smith & Wesson were the original "point-and-click" interface inventors....

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Spec57

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: kishy on Sat, 27 February 2010, 15:20:17

That trackball-looking mouse...comparable to an IBM PS/2 L40SX mouse?

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: Specter_57 on Sat, 27 February 2010, 15:23:41

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Not really sure...that mouse is actually a mouse/trackball combo...could be used in either mode by shifting a lever to raise the ball off the base...RS-232 interface...picked it up years ago at a computer flea market for, I think...$2-3...only reason I got it was because it was so inexpensive, compared to trackballs, then as now.

And the internals...all discrete components!  If you're curious, say so and I'll post a pic of the guts.

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Spec57

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: kishy on Sat, 27 February 2010, 15:32:14

Sounds like it follows a similar principle to the L40 mouse. Neat stuff.

Can't hurt to see the insides if you don't mind.

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: TexasFlood on Sat, 27 February 2010, 16:48:43

Quote from: Specter_57;161180

...somebody once told me that apparantely Smith & Wesson were the original "point-and-click" interface inventors....

Or was it Colt? “God created all men, and Sam Colt made 'em equal.”

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: TexasFlood on Sat, 27 February 2010, 17:39:08

Quote from: Specter_57;161180

..Just a few of my everyday use "pointing devices"

Is that really a telephone or a really big mouse in disguise?  :laugh: .  Just kidding.  I like that 3 button ball mouse, or trackball, whatever it's called.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8135&d=1267305261)

Title: Trackball - Mouse guts....
Post by: Specter_57 on Sat, 27 February 2010, 17:40:14

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Colt...the great equalizer..ha..ha!


Attached here, as per request.... a pic of the guts of that ancient serial trackball-mouse in my "pointing device" post.

I remember when I first got this thing I traced the circuit of it...but don't have it or threw it out long ago.

I know I said the internals were all discrete components...nowadays I consider 0.1"/2.54mm pDIP devices to be discrete...


FCC-ID:  HE9QS170 Made in China (of course...)

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Spec57

Title: ..telephone...
Post by: Specter_57 on Sat, 27 February 2010, 17:43:40

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Yes...it really is a telephone...and it really works too. A 500 series in brown, apparantly not all that common colour-wise.

I use it *all* the time...that handset is so comfy...nothing else modern can touch it....and it is so satisfying to be able to slam it down on telemarketers without breaking something...haha


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Spec57

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: kishy on Sat, 27 February 2010, 17:47:21

Ahhhh I missed the gray handle on the side (didn't see it in the first photo, was wondering where the lever you described was hiding).

Made by QuickShot, eh? I've got a dual 8-bit gameport card by them, it would seem they've got some history.

Title: Pointing Devices
Post by: Specter_57 on Sat, 27 February 2010, 17:51:39

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The thing works quite well...but it is very prone to dust, oil...hence skipping..requires a lot of cleaning...and had to roughen up that ball a bit too..  Three button operation too, belive it or not...

I would really prefer something like the Kensington ExpertMouse or a clone of...but I'm not too impressed with the prices being asked.

This old toy serves the purpose.

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Spec57