• pentastarm@piefed.ca
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    9 hours ago

    This is cool. I’ve always loved trackballs over traditional mice. I also wish you could still get a traditional mouse with an actual ball in it instead of being optical. I only say that because I’m a nostalgic dumb ass though lol.

    • Alphane Moon@lemmy.worldOPM
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      8 hours ago

      Is there a reason for using a ball-based mouse? Or are you focused on retro aesthetics (which is fine)?

      • squaresinger@lemmy.world
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        7 hours ago

        I used to use one of these old serial Microsoft trackballs for a few years. They use less desk space and they were much more reliable than contemporary ball mice.

        I think the high quality of even cheap optical mice has made them obsolete. Their high precision means that they also don’t need a lot of desk space and they are more reliable than trackballs.

        I think the main reason to use one of them today is probably nostalgia and personal preference.

      • pentastarm@piefed.ca
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        8 hours ago

        No real reason. I think optical mice are most likely superior (depending on the surface. I think optical mice have issues with glass tables?) Ball mice need to be cleaned every once and a while. Thr interface between the ball and roller can slip sometimes, so the cursor doesn’t move.

        So, mostly just nostalgia lol.

  • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
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    8 hours ago

    Never tried a finger ball to be honest. But I own a few thumb balls that I use every day all day at work. I also 3d printed risers for them that make them vertical