Who knew?

[jennlk]

I finally replaced the Logitech trackball at my desk computer. It's "only" about a decade old, and has been in near daily use by me and at least one kid for most of that time. They don't make the corded version anymore, so I'm using the wireless version. Wow. The old one was really worn. This new one clicks much more decisively. More importantly, the buttons work all the time, rather than intermittently. I expect this will solve a few of the problems I've been having with cut-n-paste & layout work....

Comments

Value of old track ball

[norfacoflandra.livejournal.com]

I have a corded one at work, and I guard it jealously.

Check on Amazon for that model, or on eBay. If it's functional, you might be able to make a little money on it. Used I've seen the corded version list for $250. Dunno what the particular attraction is, but there ya go!

[bwittig.livejournal.com]

I am hooked on the Logitech corded as well.  I  managed to find one on eBay this year for only 25$, but I fear I will be stuck with a cordless  trackball in the future.   I  wonder if I can jury-rig power from a USB cord to the battery terminals and eliminate them...

[jennlk]

With the proliferation of USB ports on new(er) computers, there's not as much reason to avoid the cordless trackball as there used to be (my tower has six, I think -- two front, four on the back). I'll have to see what the battery life is like, but since it runs on one AA, I'm not too fussed about that -- we have lots of AA batteries around, even if it needs alkalines. SR has been using a cordless Logitech on her main computer (dropping it onto her netbook when she needs to) for 3 or 4 years now, and she just replaced the battery for the second time, so I think battery life will be OK.

J cleaned a lot of crud out of the body of the corded trackball and it is apparently working much better. I'm going to keep it around for emergencies. He's considering buying some OMRON microswitches, as that's what died on the previous one.