Linux - the easy to use OS

Sinister Midget · External Since: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 746

On 2006-10-03, Johan Lindquist <spam.RemoveThis@smilfinken.net> posted something concerning:
> So anyway, it was like, 13:18 CEST Oct 03 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
> Sinister Midget was all like, "Dude,
>
>> On the desktop I use a trackball.
>
> Well, of course you do! Who in their right mind uses a mouse?
>
>> Logitech.
>
> My old Trackman Marble has served me well, sometimes I wish they still
> made it like that, three buttons without the silly scroll wheel. At
> other times, I actually find myself getting used to the one /with/ the
> wheel I use at work.
>
> Maintenance free, my ass, tho. Maybe in a cleanroom, but real people
> actually do have grease on their fingers and dust in the air. Seems
> Logitech forgot about that little detail when they decided against the
> easy-to-remove ring that locks the ball in place and now instead force
> you to take the entire cover off to clean it. Idiots.

Mine's a Trackman Marble USB (T-BC21). The ball is on top, it doesn't
have a ring and is barely held in (it comes out easily to clean it if/
when needed) and I can get to the rollers with a fingernail. It also
has 4 buttons (2 huge ones, 2 more that I never bothered with attached
right at top of each of the big ones). I think I cleaned the ball 5
times or less since I got it. I pick the crud off of the rollers when
it starts to drag a little, which isn't very often.

The kid's won't stay clean no matter what. I knew hsi should get
dirtier more often than mine, but I thought there was something else
wrong. So I swapped with him for awhile. His worked peachy for me on my
machine. Mine was getting grimy real often on his. I don't understand
it since he washes his hands most of the time before he uses it. But
there it is.

The only semi-problem I have with it is that it isn't portable because:
a) it's big; and, b) and the ball sits fairly loosely on the rollers.
But for desktop use I wouldn't use anything else at home.

--
Stration: Innovative Microsoft peer-to-peer software.

Linonut · External Since: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 3492

After takin' a swig o' grog, Sinister Midget belched out this bit o' wisdom:

> Mine's a Trackman Marble USB (T-BC21). The ball is on top, it doesn't
> have a ring and is barely held in (it comes out easily to clean it if/
> when needed) and I can get to the rollers with a fingernail. It also
> has 4 buttons (2 huge ones, 2 more that I never bothered with attached
> right at top of each of the big ones).

I use the left little button for "middle-click", yet another innovation
that left Microsoft behind.

--
Convert your Billy-box to a Linus-box today!

Scott Nudds · External Since: Sep 13, 2006 Posts: 275

"Linonut" <linonut RemoveThis @bone.com> wrote
> Modern has little to do with it. It is simply a company piling on
> features and only allowing the coders the money to write Windows
> drivers.

No one is going to waste money develiping Linux Drivers. The OS only
holds 2/10ths of a percent of the desktop market.

Linux = Shit Stick.

Sinister Midget · External Since: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 746

On 2006-10-03, Linonut <linonut RemoveThis @bone.com> posted something concerning:
> After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

>> My point being that the Trackman Marble has gone from easy-maintenance
>> to screwdriver-assisted delinting. Not a step forward, in my book.
>
> This one is easy.

We may be talking about 2 or more models here. The one I have (and I
think you have) is like the following except for 2 more buttons placed
right above a little indent in the 2 that are shown:

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/36184/type/1/catId/ENLARGE+VIEW+%3...CS+%3E+

http://tinyurl.com/nfufs

The ball pops right out. You can pull it out with 2 fingers and a palm.
No screwdrivers, pliers, scissors, drills, saws or anything else
required.

--
Microsoft is to operating systems and security as McDonalds is to
gourmet cooking.

Linonut · External Since: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 3492

After takin' a swig o' grog, Sinister Midget belched out this bit o' wisdom:

> On 2006-10-03, Linonut <linonut.TakeThisOut@bone.com> posted something concerning:
>
> We may be talking about 2 or more models here. The one I have (and I
> think you have) is like the following except for 2 more buttons placed
> right above a little indent in the 2 that are shown:
>
> http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/36184/type/1/catId/ENLARGE+VIEW+%3...CS+%3E+
>
> http://tinyurl.com/nfufs
>
> The ball pops right out. You can pull it out with 2 fingers and a palm.
> No screwdrivers, pliers, scissors, drills, saws or anything else
> required.

Yours (with the four buttons) is the same as mine. $20 normal price at
Office Depot, and well worth it. I toss away the CD that comes with it.

--
Welcome to DLL Hell.

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 01:06 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Linonut was all like, "Dude,
> After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

>>> The ball on the Logitech Marble Mouse pops right out.
>>
>> Given the huge drawback that it's a mouse and not a trackball (at
>> least the name suggests so), I'm not going to change no matter
>> /how/ many mouse ball jokes it tells once it's popped out.
>
> It's a trackball. An ambidextrous one. I recommend it.

Ah, my mistake. I suppose someone at Logitech was pretty drunk when
they labeled that product tho.

I'm guessing (yeah, too lazy to open a browser at this time) it's one
of those trackballs with the roller in the middle. I never could get
along with those, I want full thumb control and my fingers on the
buttons. Smile

>> My point being that the Trackman Marble has gone from
>> easy-maintenance to screwdriver-assisted delinting. Not a step
>> forward, in my book.
>
> This one is easy.

I think I know just what you mean now, and I can see that advantage
at least. However.. the idea of rolling the ball with your middle or
index finger.. *shudder*. Might as well start using emacs if it ever
comes to that!

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
09:04:30 up 2 days, 14:58, 4 users, load average: 0.09, 0.38, 0.28
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Linonut · External Since: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 3492

After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

> I'm guessing (yeah, too lazy to open a browser at this time) it's one
> of those trackballs with the roller in the middle. I never could get
> along with those, I want full thumb control and my fingers on the
> buttons. Smile

>
> I think I know just what you mean now, and I can see that advantage
> at least. However.. the idea of rolling the ball with your middle or
> index finger.. *shudder*. Might as well start using emacs if it ever
> comes to that!

o thumb on R button(s)
o forefinger and middle finger on ball
o next finger on L buttons (includes the middle-click button -- can
actually use the R and L as middle-click, too)
o pinkie, as usual, chillin'

--
"Tricorder readings indicate the presence of hot bitches, Captain."

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 00:00 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
The Ghost In The Machine was all like, "Dude,
> In comp.os.linux.advocacy, Johan Lindquist
><spam.RemoveThis@smilfinken.net>
> wrote
> on Tue, 3 Oct 2006 22:14:56 +0200
><0vsav3-f7n.ln1.RemoveThis@news.smilfinken.net>:
>> So anyway, it was like, 20:41 CEST Oct 03 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
>> Jim was all like, "Dude,

>>> flexible brush which cleaned lint off the ball as it travelled
>>
>> Say, that /is/ a clever idea. Worth considering to spend any spare
>> round tuits one might have laying around on, for sure.
>
> Considering optical mice are cheap this sort of invention is
> probably now an anachronism. Smile

Then again, it's not quite the same
> as my trackball. Smile

And certainly a mod worth while for the now all but unobtainable
classic Trackman Marble.

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
09:09:59 up 2 days, 15:04, 4 users, load average: 0.12, 0.23, 0.24
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Jim · External Since: Apr 21, 2005 Posts: 996

Johan Lindquist came up with this when s/he headbutted the keyboard a moment
ago in comp.os.linux.advocacy:

> So anyway, it was like, 00:00 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
> The Ghost In The Machine was all like, "Dude,
>> In comp.os.linux.advocacy, Johan Lindquist
>><spam RemoveThis @smilfinken.net>
>> wrote
>> on Tue, 3 Oct 2006 22:14:56 +0200
>><0vsav3-f7n.ln1 RemoveThis @news.smilfinken.net>:
>>> So anyway, it was like, 20:41 CEST Oct 03 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
>>> Jim was all like, "Dude,
>
>>>> flexible brush which cleaned lint off the ball as it travelled
>>>
>>> Say, that /is/ a clever idea. Worth considering to spend any spare
>>> round tuits one might have laying around on, for sure.
>>
>> Considering optical mice are cheap this sort of invention is
>> probably now an anachronism. Smile

Then again, it's not quite the same
>> as my trackball. Smile

>
> And certainly a mod worth while for the now all but unobtainable
> classic Trackman Marble.
>

Well, if you can't find a small/flexible enough brush to line the ring with
(I can't even remember where I got mine from, it was like a decade and a
half ago) you can always cut a strip of faux velvet (don't use the real
stuff, it leaves lint) and line the ring with that - does just as well.
--
-*- Linux: Because restarts are for upgrades.
-*- Some people are like Slinkies; they serve no specific purpose,
but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
-*- Linux Desktops & Clustering Solutions -*- http://dotware.co.uk
-*- Registered Linux user #426308 -*- http://counter.li.org
-*- Microsoft XP is like a box of chocolates. You never know when the steel
bolts are going to spring out and plunge straight through both cheeks...
-*- We now return you to your regularly scheduled broadcast.
-*- Contemplating Knife -*- Which end do the bullets go in again?
-*- I can't wait to get to heaven and meet seventy virgins - I've yet to
meet *one* on *Earth*!
-*- For sale: one (1) Fender Phantom air guitar. £500 ONO
-*- For sale: one (1) Italian WWII bolt-action rifle. .303cal, never fired,
only dropped once. Offers.
-*- Hit every key to continue.
-*- "Thanks. What sort of candle is this?" "Um... Dee-nah-meetay. Must be
Italian."
-*- That's it. No more coffee for *that* man!

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 00:12 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Sinister Midget was all like, "Dude,

> If I could find a small enough one I'd stop using the wireless mice/
> mouses/meeses on laptops and stick with trackballs completely.

I've been using one of these when mobile: http://www.perific.com

The unfortunate drawback is that it has one of those clumsy receivers
which are about the size of a standard mouse (with the same length of
wire, too) instead of a nifty little usb dongle.

It's quite ergonomic, tho. Smile

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
09:13:25 up 2 days, 15:07, 4 users, load average: 0.07, 0.16, 0.21
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Sinister Midget · External Since: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 746

On 2006-10-04, Johan Lindquist <spam.DeleteThis@smilfinken.net> posted something concerning:
> So anyway, it was like, 00:12 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
> Sinister Midget was all like, "Dude,
>
>> If I could find a small enough one I'd stop using the wireless mice/
>> mouses/meeses on laptops and stick with trackballs completely.
>
> I've been using one of these when mobile: http://www.perific.com
>
> The unfortunate drawback is that it has one of those clumsy receivers
> which are about the size of a standard mouse (with the same length of
> wire, too) instead of a nifty little usb dongle.
>
> It's quite ergonomic, tho. Smile

I tried a wired one that looked similar to that. I bought it
specifically for the laptop. I don't know if it's set up the same way
or not. The one I tried was really hard to learn to use. I tried using
it off and on for a couple of weeks. I could never get the pointer to
go anywhere near where I wanted it to go without a lot of struggle.

I liked the idea, but I couldn't handle the implementation. Maybe the
one you use works better. Or maybe I'm not coordinated enough to use
one like that.

--
Frontpage: Better than sticking a red hot poker in your eye.

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 00:21 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Sinister Midget was all like, "Dude,

>>> On the desktop I use a trackball.

> Mine's a Trackman Marble USB (T-BC21). The ball is on top, it
> doesn't have a ring and is barely held in (it comes out easily
> to clean it if/ when needed) and I can get to the rollers with a
> fingernail.

Yeah, I think I know what you're both talking about now. You people
are sick, you know. Here I thought you were honest thumb-driven
trackballers, but it turns out you're nearly as bad as those mice
people! Worse, even, for pretending. Shame on you both, sirs!

(Yeah, I know, but there's hardly been a vi vs emacs religiuos war in
forever. A man's gotta try, you know?)

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
09:16:34 up 2 days, 15:10, 4 users, load average: 0.14, 0.16, 0.19
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 09:18 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Jim was all like, "Dude,

[trackball auto-cleaning]

> Well, if you can't find a small/flexible enough brush to line the
> ring with (I can't even remember where I got mine from, it was like
> a decade and a half ago) you can always cut a strip of faux velvet
> (don't use the real stuff, it leaves lint) and line the ring with
> that - does just as well.

Excellent. I'll see what I can find.

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
09:49:27 up 2 days, 15:43, 3 users, load average: 0.02, 0.06, 0.08
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 11:15 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Sinister Midget was all like, "Dude,
> On 2006-10-04, Johan Lindquist <spam.TakeThisOut@smilfinken.net> posted something concerning:

>> I've been using one of these when mobile: http://www.perific.com

[..]

> I liked the idea, but I couldn't handle the implementation. Maybe
> the one you use works better. Or maybe I'm not coordinated enough to
> use one like that.

To be honest, it wasn't as good as it looked when I got it, however it
is kinda relaxing to slip it over your hand and lean back in the chair
while pointing-and-drooling. Smile

Quite practical for presentations too, at least if you're the type to
walk around, in that it doesn't need a flat surface to sit on.

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
12:08:00 up 2 days, 18:02, 3 users, load average: 0.04, 0.01, 0.00
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

flatfish+++ · External Since: Dec 12, 2004 Posts: 2793

On Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:51:59 -0500, Linonut wrote:

> After takin' a swig o' grog, flatfish+++ belched out this bit o' wisdom:
>
>> On Tue, 03 Oct 2006 18:14:39 -0500, Linonut wrote:
>>
>>> You can get some of the functionality as is noted here:
>>>
>>> http://hardware.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=05/06/28/1643256&tid=87
>>>
>>> If you want full functionality for your buttons (to the extent that
>>> they are functional without installing Windows-only
>>> memory-resident control software), add these lines to your
>>> xorg.conf file:
>>>
>>> Option "Buttons" "7"
>>> Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
>>>
>>> If one or both of these lines already exists, just verify that the
>>> numbers are correct. Then create a file called .Xmodmap in your
>>> user's home directory, and type this into it:
>>>
>>> pointer = 1 2 3 6 7 4 5
>>>
>>> Close all of your open programs, then restart the X server through
>>> your desktop environment's menu or by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Backspace.
>>> Log in again and you'll have the scroll wheel, scroll rocker, and
>>> browser rocker buttons working.
>>>
>>> All other advertised features of the Logitech MX1000 do not work in
>>> GNU/Linux at this time.
>>>
>>> Sounds like more than two buttons to me.
>>>
>>> Awwww, looks like I'll save a little space on the "Windows-only
>>> memory-resident control software."
>>>
>>> By the way, you are confusing "modern hardware" with "Windows-only
>>> drivers".
>>
>> Modern hardware is modern hardware.
>
> Modern has little to do with it. It is simply a company piling on
> features and only allowing the coders the money to write Windows
> drivers.
>
>> I didn't install the control programs, just the driver. ie: *.inf file.
>> And how do I assign functions to the various buttons?
>
> See what I just quoted above. As they say, you won't get all the
> functions, since they are Windows hooks.

But that's my point.

Person purchases mouse and discovers it barely functions under Linux but
functions fully under Windows.

Linux will get the blame.

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 13:23 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Linonut was all like, "Dude,
> After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

>> I think I know just what you mean now, and I can see that advantage
>> at least. However.. the idea of rolling the ball with your middle
>> or index finger.. *shudder*. Might as well start using emacs if it
>> ever comes to that!
>
> o thumb on R button(s)
> o forefinger and middle finger on ball

See, this is just Wrong(tm). Obviously, you middle-click with the
middle finger!

I'd probably be clicking the ball for two weeks before I could ever
learn to use such an abomination. Oh, the humanity!

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
13:31:10 up 2 days, 19:25, 3 users, load average: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Linonut · External Since: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 3492

After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

>> o thumb on R button(s)
>> o forefinger and middle finger on ball
>
> See, this is just Wrong(tm). Obviously, you middle-click with the
> middle finger!

No, with the third finger (next to the pinkie). It does double-duty.

> I'd probably be clicking the ball for two weeks before I could ever
> learn to use such an abomination. Oh, the humanity!

I'm a leftie in a rightie world, I'm used to it.

Thank God, at least, that I don't have to deal with a friggin'
tilt-wheel.

--
Microsoft Word. The word processor that thinks it's smarter than you.

Linonut · External Since: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 3492

After takin' a swig o' grog, flatfish+++ belched out this bit o' wisdom:

> On Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:51:59 -0500, Linonut wrote:
>
> Person purchases mouse and discovers it barely functions under Linux but
> functions fully under Windows.
>
> Linux will get the blame.

Maybe. Not a guarantee. Only someone who manages to install Linux
without help and then somehow misses the news of potential issues with
Windows-only features.

Money back guaranteed, though.

--
The dark ages were caused by the Y1K problem.

Johan Lindquist · External Since: Mar 25, 2004 Posts: 522

So anyway, it was like, 18:16 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
Linonut was all like, "Dude,
> After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

>>> o thumb on R button(s)
>>> o forefinger and middle finger on ball
>>
>> See, this is just Wrong(tm). Obviously, you middle-click with the
>> middle finger!
>
> No, with the third finger (next to the pinkie). It does double-duty.

But that's the right-click finger! You people..

>> I'd probably be clicking the ball for two weeks before I could ever
>> learn to use such an abomination. Oh, the humanity!
>
> I'm a leftie in a rightie world, I'm used to it.
>
> Thank God, at least, that I don't have to deal with a friggin'
> tilt-wheel.

Oh, I'm sure it's just a matter of time until that, too, is as
unavoidable as the scroll wheel.

--
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Perth ---> *
23:31:40 up 3 days, 5:25, 3 users, load average: 0.05, 0.01, 0.00
Linux 2.6.18 x86_64 GNU/Linux Registered Linux user #261729

Linonut · External Since: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 3492

After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:

> So anyway, it was like, 18:16 CEST Oct 04 2006, you know? Oh, and, yeah,
> Linonut was all like, "Dude,
>> After takin' a swig o' grog, Johan Lindquist belched out this bit o' wisdom:
>
>>>> o thumb on R button(s)
>>>> o forefinger and middle finger on ball
>>>
>>> See, this is just Wrong(tm). Obviously, you middle-click with the
>>> middle finger!
>>
>> No, with the third finger (next to the pinkie). It does double-duty.
>
> But that's the right-click finger! You people..

It is, when I use my right hand. I used to do that a lot, even drawing
with my right hand, but, what with the cursor keys and numeric keypad
blocking off the right side, a left-hand mouse is less movement to
reach

> Oh, I'm sure it's just a matter of time until that, too, is as
> unavoidable as the scroll wheel.

You know what I hate about the scroll wheel (and the scroll bar)?

You can scroll down with them. But if you switch to the page-down key,
your taken right back where you started. In Windows apps, at least.
Why they have two position markers is beyond me.

--
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