Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Mousapalooza

This mouse was in my dentist's office.


It is an excellent mouse for beginners. The scroll bar is large and red, making it highly visible and easily identifiable. Manipulating the scroll ball on this model is so simple, anyone can do it.

Well, almost anyone.

I found the candy-like appearence of the scroll ball so inviting, I wanted to lick it, but was too embarrassed to ask. So I took the picture instead.

Mice have a lot of personality. Depending on how the mouse driver is programed, a mouse can be as individual as its owner. For instance, this one is considerably more sophisticated and complex than our first example. Some would call it "high maintenance."


Although I am not sure, I think this it may belong to the woman who is modeling it in such an inviting way. She is sure proud of her mouse. Plus, she's got a certain authority. I'll bet she knows how to manipulate a scroll bar with just the right amount of pressure. She's probably manipulated hundreds.

This is my mouse.


Unlike the other mice, the only predominate feature available on the body of the mouse is the scroll ball.

There is no mistaking the scroll ball on my mouse, mister!

I have been manipulating my scroll ball for a long, long time. Have others manipulated my scroll ball? Sure, but let's keep the party polite and keep those details private.

Some might say that my mouse isn't very flashy or new-fangled, but that's the way I like it. I'm a bit of a purist that way. Some would call it "low maintenance."

I hate to admit this, but sometimes my scroll ball gets stuck. When that happens, I get out my can of pressurized air and give it a nice cold blast. After that, my scroll ball works good as new.

* * *

25 comments:

Jack Cluth said...

I have two of the Logitech model in your dentist's office- one on my Dell laptop at work and the other on my MacBook at home. It's not very advanced, and it's somewhat limited, but I continue to cling to it like Linus to his blanket. My needs are simple, and it's a simple, easy to use, and very inexpensive mouse. I may have exquisite taste in women, but I have minimal expectations for a mouse. Point, click, scroll...and I'm a happy boy.

If it ain't broke.... ;-)

Anonymous said...

Navel gazing...aren't you a writer?

Shaina said...

my boyfriend has an annoying mouse. on the side where your thumb generally rests, there are buttons for "forward" and "back". i am constantly hitting "back" by accident. he claims i'll get used to it, but i dont wanna. i like my simple old mouse.
we used to have a cool one at home that was shaped like a joystick, with a button on top that was right and left click. i looooooooved it. then it broke, :-(

Tony Rugare said...

Simle is good! Wish they would slow down on all the high maintenance devices hitting the market.

Anonymous said...

I've learned over many years that no matter the shape and size of the scroll ball, tread lightly and don't abuse them. If you take care of your scroll ball, it while give you years of reliable service.

I'm stunned you did not mention the keyboard protection in the first photo.

Word Verification: idistize. Idistize women who mishandle their scroll wheels.

Bill said...

a blast of cold air for your scroll ball. a cold shower for me.

WV: whickinu. if whickinu i was posting here, she would be whealy mad.

Venus and Mars said...

Love it !

Reina said...

Best piece I've read all day. Erin, you are the master.

Big Mark 243 said...

Maybe it is just me ... but all I saw in this entry is double entendre's scattered everywhere!!

Joshua said...

Just like a man, I like mine with lots of buttons, bells, and whistles. I like an advanced mouse, too.

-Joshua

glittermom said...

Why does your mouse look like some type of vibrating equipment?

(S)wine said...

nice! nice! i needed this piece, this late afternoon.

jford said...

LOL! VEry clever, funny and entertaining. Thanks!

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

Geez-el-petes, I've never been so turned on by technology.

Time to get to the double-clicking.

Al Penwasser said...

Great tip on how to unstick the scroll button on my mouse. I thought compressed air was only good for...uh...never mind...better not say.

DogsDontPurr said...

That second picture my s/o sent me when we were just beginning the flirting part of our relationship....on dial up! That was 10 years ago, but seeing that pic again...well...ummm...yeah!!!!

I'm very picky though when it comes to my personal mice. I like a little teeney sneaky travel mouse. I don't like those big clunky things, and I just get lost with the ball kind. What does that say about me? Hmmmm.

I like it small, infrared, and with a good scroll wheel. Oh yeah babe!

DogsDontPurr said...

Oh! And what about those IBM laptops with a clit: "Computer Link Interface Toggle"...that little pink knob in the middle of the keyboard that you use as a mouse. Uh huh....

Anonymous said...

This inspires me to paint my nails red and start scrolling. Where is that tube of....

josh williams said...

I'll be damned, you have a following!My work is done here...For a wee bit that is...Chow JW

Al Penwasser said...

I just looked at that second picture again. Oh...my. :-)

dean said...

Big Mark 243: it's just you. All I see here is a discussion of electrical devices.

J9 said...

That first mouse is the only left handed mouse you can get anymore - there just isn't a big enough market for the big stores to stock them. So people like me, who are right handed, but left hand mouse, all have that logitech.

Lustfelt 4 My Rustbelt said...

The mouse from your dentist's office is actually a good choice for mouse users with carpal tunnel. Instead of bending back a finger to scroll you end up using your whole hand with your fingers outstretched. It looks simple, but it's really ergonomic.

Melissa said...

Jack, it is the only one that I like. I have to search and search when I need an additional one or a replacement, but it is worth it. It doesn't work for me at all at my job, but, at home, it is awesome.

One of the reasons that I love it is that it doesn't move. The roller ball does the moving, not the mouse. I'm too untidy to free up enough desk space to actually move the whole damn mouse.

ahclem said...

Oh man, I don't know how I missed this when you first posted it, but hopefully it's never too late for this.