Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Web Hosting Lounge : Thumb mouse?

[Mexico Joe]

I remember seeing an ad one time for a mouse that you could hold in your hand and it had a track ball you could move around with your thumb (I don't know if I'm describing this correctly, but hopefull you get the gist). I've been searching around and I can't find one of these online. Does anybody know anything about this and who makes it?

The reason I want one of these is to use my laptop on an airplane. It's difficult for me to use a laptop in those airplane tray tables; if the person in front of you puts their seat back (guaranteed on an international flight) then forget it. I'm afraid I can't afford the 10x cost of a business class seat either. However, I discovered that I can open the laptop all the way (so the screen side is open 180 degrees) and set the keyboard end on my lap. This way I can see the screen perfectly with room to spare, even if the person in front of me reclines their seat. I can't really type with the computer in that position, but I can do Photoshop-with-an-occasional-keypress or mouse-only games. If there's no one in the seat to the right of me (or if it's my girlfriend) then I can put that tray table down and set the mouse on it. The problem is that if I'm sitting next to someone I don't know (or don't have a seat to the right of me) I don't have the luxury. I thought a thumb mouse would be the perfect answer.

Anyway, if someone knows where I can find one (or has a suggestion for something similar) I would appreciate it.

[Toolz]

I had one of these about ten years ago. Made by Logitech. That was when laptops didn't have the various pointing devices incorporated into the keyboard.

[progex]

I believe this is what you're looking for:

http://www.001abc.com/mouse/logitech_trackman_live.html

Google.com search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...n+live&spell=1

[madmouser]

Probably this one.
http://www.coolerstar.com/fintracusb.html
Fujitsu made one that had a rocker button on it. Check their site.
Also check:
http://www.mobileplanet.com
for lots of stuff for traveling and laptops.

[davidb]

I had one by logitech different then all of those. It had a red ball on the far left of it and you could easily move it with your thumb then there were two other buttions that you would hit with your index and middle finger, similar to those ones above, but just farther left. I liked it a lot

[Mexico Joe]

MadMouser: That looks like the one I was thinking of! Figures someone named "MadMouser" would have the info. Thanks.

davidb: You may be thinking of the Logitech Trackman Marble. I actually have one of those for my laptop, but the problem in my particular case is that it needs to sit on a flat surface to work.

[madmouser]

Originally posted by davidb
I had one by logitech different then all of those. It had a red ball on the far left of it and you could easily move it with your thumb then there were two other buttions that you would hit with your index and middle finger, similar to those ones above, but just farther left. I liked it a lot

That's the Logitech TrackMan Marble Wheel (Three buttons and a scrolling wheel). I love it. It's the only one I can use that doesn't cause problems with my hands. I've bought several backups in case they stop making it. BestBuy used to have it. Also Circuit City.
Logitech has introduced some newer versions of it that are higher -- have a bigger hump in the midde. I tried that, couldn't use it.