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programming and human factors
by Jeff Atwood
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I've talked about the programmer's take on keyboard and chair, but I have yet to cover that other computing staple: the mouse. I was reminded when HMK referenced Ars Technica's History of the GUI:
This was the mouse, invented by Douglas himself [in 1968] and built by one of his engineers. Nobody knew who first started calling it a mouse, but the name stuck back then, and has remained ever since. Mechanically it was slightly different from modern mice in that the two circular wheels connected to the internal potentiometers rolled directly on the table surface, instead of being manipulated by a single mouse ball rubbing against rollers. However, to the end user it operated virtually identically to a modern mouse. Other input devices had been tried (such as touch screens and light pens), but user testing found the mouse to be the most natural way to manipulate an on-screen cursor. This remains true today.
With the invention of the mouse came the invention of the mouse pointer, which in this system was a stick arrow, about the height of a single character, pointing straight up. This was called a "bug" by Douglas' team, but this term did not survive into modern use. When objects were selected, the "bug" would leave dots on the screen to mark this action.
I've had something of a mouse fetish over the years, and I've probably owned every significant design revision from Microsoft and Logitech since the days of the Microsoft "Dove Bar" Mouse and the three-button Logitech MouseMan. Mice have evolved quite a bit since those early days:
The early optical mice were actually somewhat inferior to the mechanical ones, due to the limited clock rate and resolution of the optical sensors. It was possible to "confuse" the hardware if you moved your hand fast enough, and shiny surfaces of any kind were problematic. Granted this was mostly an issue for gamers, but the current crop of optic hardware delivers as much as 1600 DPI or 4 times the resolution of the original Intellimouse Explorer. So unless you're the cyborg Ash from Alien, I think you'll be fine with today's hardware; for even more detail, read this excellent technical summary of optical mouse technology.
After some recent experimentation with the Logitech MX1000 and the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer (in luxurious leather), I've basically given up on wireless mice. The things I've come to value most in a mouse are:
Horizontal scroll wheels? Additional buttons (middle, forward)? Never use 'em. I have nothing against wireless per se, but the mouse cord is a total non-issue for me; I can't recall a time I've ever fought with the cord on any mouse. But the added battery weight of wireless is prohibitive; this is a phobia I share with TristanK. Some people prefer heavy mice, I suppose-- I recall older mice with steel weights inside them purely to add heft-- but I feel most at home with a nimble, lightweight mouse. I happen to have a postal scale here (don't ask), and here are the weights of some mice I had laying around:
| Model | Weight |
| Logitech MX700 | 172g |
| Logitech MX1000 | 162g |
| Logitech MX510 | 120g |
| Logitech MX518 | 110g |
| MS Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 | 106g |
| MS Notebook Wireless Mouse (with AA battery) | 92g |
| MS Notebook Wireless Mouse (sans battery) | 62g |
| MS Notebook Mouse | 50g |
Please note that any resemblance between me and a freakish obsessive is purely coincidental. The notebook mice are indeed very light, but the lack of thumb buttons is a showstopper for me. So, I've settled on the Logitech MX518:
Besides the cool ball peen hammer optical effect, it has one killer feature: those previously useless buttons above and below the scroll wheel are actually useful now. They adjust the sensitivity from 400/800/1600 dpi on the fly. This is surprisingly handy, and it's a native hardware feature: no drivers required, no need to visit Control Panel, Mouse to play with the sensitivity slider. Recommended.
You know, I am a mouse user only under duress ... I still much prefer the keyboard, and I'm the guy at work who knows all the keyboard shortcuts in Word, etc. It's my belief, of course, that mousing is slower than keying for office-type work. (Not for gaming, duh.) People occasionally watch over my shoulder as I do things, and I've gotten comments to the effect of "Wow, you're fast!" I'm not fast per se, but because I don't have to constantly switch between keyboard and mouse, and can instead do tasks with keyboard shortcuts, it _looks_ like I'm fast.
Naturally, I find mouse-centric UIs that don't accommodate keyboards very frustrating.
Why this is relevant to your post exactly I can't say. :-)
mike on May 11, 2005 2:09 AMHow about the Roller Mouse?
http://www.contourdesign.com/rollermouse/
thedisciple on May 11, 2005 2:11 AMWow, that rollerbar thing is pretty crazy. I had to watch the flash demo to figure out what the heck it was!
Jeff Atwood on May 11, 2005 3:15 AMPersonally for me, if a mouse has more than a left and right button along with a scroll wheel, it's too fancy for me. This comes from playing too many games, not really from a development standpoint. When I've got the twitch going on in any game, I will have a tendency to hit these other mouse buttons, especially the ones along the thumbs, so I prefer to have a fairly basic mouse.
Wireless mice are evil too. I have yet to see one that performs well after very long.
Marty Thompson on May 11, 2005 9:01 AMThe key to wireless mice performance is the batteries you use. You need the high capacity rechargables, like the Maha PowerEx series. They are also great for digital cameras. I average about a month and a half between charges. I have a wireless logitech and never noticed the weight. But those extra buttons are annoying. I rarely hit the thumb button and when I do I have to stop for a second and think what just happened. Scroll wheels are the bomb especially now that I got VB6 to have scroll wheel support. I like scroll wheels you can push down for a middle click. Great for browsing with firefox where that opens a new tab.
Will Rickards on May 11, 2005 9:31 AMI'm also obsessed with mice; here's my take on Apple's ill-conceived Round Mouse:
http://s92417348.onlinehome.us/publications/failed_mouse.pdf
Carl Manaster on May 11, 2005 11:01 AMJeff, can you explain how the adjustable DPI sensitivity is useful (especialy in software development related tasks, if possible)?
I've been reading the reviews of the 518 and I just don't get it. Wouldn't you just pick the sensitivity that matched what "felt right" to you and stick with it.
> Jeff, can you explain how the adjustable DPI sensitivity is useful (especialy in software development related tasks, if possible)?
Mostly in image editing; slower, precise cursor control is nice when doing pixel-level work. It's not a huge feature, just a handy one-- and it makes those previously useless "above and below the scroll wheel" buttons useful again.
Jeff Atwood on May 11, 2005 5:52 PMAnother good topic Jeff!
Well, I guess I will come to the defense of the wireless mouse, the heavy mouse, and the large mouse. I still use and like the original Wireless Intellimouse Explorer (about 3 years now?). It's probably the heaviest one out there as I've tried the newer one from a friend but didn't like it enough to spend another $50 on it. The one negative, for me, is that the battery life isn't good like the new ones. I can get about 30 days out of one set of rechargeables..I have two sets so I'm good to go but still.
As far as buttons, I like the standard setup, scroll wheel, left/right, and front/back buttons. I have a small Belkin mouse that I keep in my laptop bag for travel and meetings around the office but for the most part I stick with the beast.
Erik Lane on May 11, 2005 7:05 PMJeff, good example on the sensitivity question, I can see how that would be useful. Thanks.
Bill on May 12, 2005 1:57 PMGive me my logitech wireless trackball any day!
Erik on January 17, 2007 2:48 PMI remember the old Logitech Mouse Man. Not exactly ergonomic, but it got the job done. Anyway, nowadays I'm a fan of the Logitech MX series as well. I owned a 510 for a year and a half, but the place where the cord connects to the mouse somehow got damaged. So, today I got a 518 because I liked my 510 so much. I doubt I'll ever use the DPI changer buttons but the mouse is very ergonomic and accurate. Good choice Jeff.
Natalya[AF] on May 10, 2007 10:39 AMI have since switched to the MS Habu mouse:
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000832.html
I need to weigh it. It's very very light, I expect within 10% of the very light MX518.
Jeff Atwood on May 10, 2007 11:18 AMI have an astronomy book published in 1906 (but in a box buried under other boxes at a moving company's storage site) that describes a "mouse" — that term is used — no larger than the palm of your hand that is used to steer a huge telescope.
I wish I could dig the book out, if only to explode the myth that the mouse was invented to run computers.
Bob on May 22, 2007 11:56 AMAdjustable DPI settings are for gamers. This is a gaming mouse, not used for the "Every Day Joe." You can change sensitivity for things like the imaging software mentioned above, or for a First Person Shooter, such as Half-Life 2. Example: When you're on the run with a machine gunnery style weapon, high sensitivity is keen because you want to be able to turn (in the game) quickly and pull the trigger before your enemy. However, if you have a sniper rifle, you want small precise movements, so you would lower the sensitivity to be able to make pin point accuracy shots.
Mat on October 9, 2007 5:32 PMFor anyone who enjoys a heavy mouse, there is the Natural Mouse by MS*. It's a hit or miss with reviewers*, so do try it at Best Buy before purchasing.
I like the emphasis on proper posture and the added weight (144 grams, without batteries). I always keep a separate corded mouse with the article-mentioned features: back/forward; scroll-wheel; cord; laser but have yet to use it.
* Product Page: https://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=086&active_tab=systemRequirements
* Negative Review: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/microsoft-natural-wireless-laser-6000-reviewed-verdict-good-bad-ugly-211732.php
* Positive Review: http://www.everythingusb.com/microsoft_natural_wireless_laser_mouse_6000.html
Working with a MX518 myself here. Biggest benefit isn't the resolution changing button but the two buttons to the left of it.
Great way to navigate the internet, used as next & previous page.
That or use them for more functions when gaming :)
Carra on January 12, 2008 4:07 AMI have had the MX518 for about a year and a half. I love it. I have zero complaints about it.
Don't know that much about these either, but I've seen a few models that have optionally insertable weights in case the user wants the heft added.
Militis on March 28, 2008 2:45 PMi just found out my fessish today as a scroll whell brushed uo aginsed my leg
Dylan S on September 18, 2008 7:53 AMI have to comment on the weight of mice. The mouse provided with my new work desktop is very light: too light, in fact. And the cable annoys me. Within days I brought in my own wireless mouse. The weight of the batteries is comforting.
does the mx510 weight 120g with the weight, or with the weight removed?
matt on May 13, 2009 10:31 PMAdjustable DPI settings are for gamers. This is a gaming mouse, not used for the "Every Day Joe." You can change sensitivity for things like the imaging software mentioned above, or for a First Person Shooter, such as Half-Life 2. Example: When you're on the run with a machine gunnery style weapon, high sensitivity is keen because you want to be able to turn (in the game) quickly and pull the trigger before your enemy. However, if you have a sniper rifle, you want small precise movements, so you would lower the sensitivity to be able to make pin point accuracy shots.
http://medprior.ru
| Content (c) 2009 Jeff Atwood. Logo image used with permission of the author. (c) 1993 Steven C. McConnell. All Rights Reserved. |
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