Trackpoint "Finger"

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mini_g · #1 Post by **mini_g** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:55 pm

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone else has suffered from the severe ache of the pointer finger and the thumb from the prolonged usage of the Trackpoint.

Mine has gotten bad enough to make me transition from the Cats Tongue to the Soft Dome.

Trekk69 · #2 Post by **Trekk69** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:45 am

No, I haven't yet.
Although I alternate between a couple of fingers to make moving the cursor more efficient!

sarbin · #3 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:24 am

me either.
one nice thing about the trackpoint, at least for me, is that i find i can use it right or left handed equally well. i can't do that with a mouse.

andyP · #4 Post by **andyP** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:08 am

No problems here either using the original "hairy" Trackpoint cap.

#5 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:36 am

sarbin wrote:one nice thing about the trackpoint, at least for me, is that i find i can use it right or left handed equally well. i can't do that with a mouse.

You are right! When browsing the web (forums), when one hand gets tired, I switch to the other one.

sarbin · #6 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:59 am

gmta!

#7 Post by **gator** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:59 am

sarbin wrote:me either.
one nice thing about the trackpoint, at least for me, is that i find i can use it right or left handed equally well. i can't do that with a mouse.

Another reason why I prefer the trackpoint ...

OP, are you using the trackpoint properly? I use my trackpoint in 2 ways: mode #1 is index finger on the tracpoint and the thumb on the buttons (all right hand fingers) ... mode #2 is middle finger of right hand on trackpoint, middle finger of left hand on buttons (and vice versa). I use both these interchangeably, and I dont have any ache in either hand ...

tselling · #8 Post by **tselling** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:04 am

I have mine set for light touch and fast speed. I do not use the cats tongue one. I find that the mouse pointer will move with very little pressure and no strain now.

sarbin · #9 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:18 am

gator wrote:
sarbin wrote:me either.
one nice thing about the trackpoint, at least for me, is that i find i can use it right or left handed equally well. i can't do that with a mouse.
Another reason why I prefer the trackpoint ...

OP, are you using the trackpoint properly? I use my trackpoint in 2 ways: mode #1 is index finger on the tracpoint and the thumb on the buttons (all right hand fingers) ... mode #2 is middle finger of right hand on trackpoint, middle finger of left hand on buttons (and vice versa). I use both these interchangeably, and I dont have any ache in either hand ...

interesting...
i 'drive' with my right-middle and click with right-index. the heel of my hand rests comfortablly on the palm rest. no strain whatsoever.

mikey pizano · #10 Post by **mikey pizano** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:19 pm

I miss my trackpoint! Since I got my Toshiba A205-S2859, and Averatec 1020, I haven't been using my ThinkPad too much but I may need to start using it again.

mini_g · #11 Post by **mini_g** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:28 pm

gator wrote: OP, are you using the trackpoint properly? I use my trackpoint in 2 ways: mode #1 is index finger on the tracpoint and the thumb on the buttons (all right hand fingers) ... mode #2 is middle finger of right hand on trackpoint, middle finger of left hand on buttons (and vice versa). I use both these interchangeably, and I dont have any ache in either hand ...

I've been using mode #1 myself.

Just realized as to WHY I've been applying undo stress upon my pointer finger. I forgot to up the sensitivity.

I do like the idea of using more than the just the pointer finger though.

Temetka · #12 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:52 pm

I dislike the cats tongue greatly.

The soft dome isn't too bad, although I prefer the one with the dimple and soft edges. I can use it for hours and not have a problem.

For me the index finger is on the trackpoint with my thumb over left and middle click. Slight thumb movement is all that is required for right click and my hand stays comfortably on the palm rest. Moving down the trackpad requires no effort and I can mouse with my thumb without having to move my hand.

Having carpal does kind of dictate how I use my mouse, but to be honest the other hand is usually wrapped around a beer or other beverage and as such my 'pain killer' isn't too far away.

I do love that IBM thinks about it's customers usage habits and preferences thus creating 3 different styles of trackpoint caps.

Ideally I'd love a blue one just to stand out but I don't think they work with the T4x series.

#13 Post by **AlphaKilo470** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:31 pm

Whenever the trackpoint starts to get uncomfortable I just use the touch pad. I switch between the two quite frequently as the touch pad is more comfortable than the trackpoint in some positions and vice versa.

joester · #14 Post by **joester** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:52 pm

I've found that periodic flexing and streching of the hand in use relieves and prevents any discomfort.
Closed fist-open fingers-closed fist... you get the picture.
3 or 4 cycles usually does it for me.
Best thing, however is to just get offline and go for a walk!

Joe

mini_g · #15 Post by **mini_g** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:15 pm

Temetka wrote:I do love that IBM thinks about it's customers usage habits and preferences thus creating 3 different styles of trackpoint caps.

+1

AlphaKilo470 wrote:Whenever the trackpoint starts to get uncomfortable I just use the touch pad.

Alas, the X2 & X3 series only have the Trackpoint.

joester wrote:I've found that periodic flexing and streching of the hand in use relieves and prevents any discomfort.
Closed fist-open fingers-closed fist... you get the picture.
3 or 4 cycles usually does it for me.

Good idea.

joester wrote:Best thing, however is to just get offline and go for a walk!

There's life outside the Internet?

sarbin · #16 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:43 pm

@joester...

what is this, "offline", of which you speak?

joester · #17 Post by **joester** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:14 am

While I will admit that checking e-mails while...umm...seated on a very different type of seat... HAS OCCURRED since I went wireless, there are those times when the fingers and the mind must unplug and perform menial tasks pertaining to grounds maintenance, sustenance procurement, even that most dreaded and all to often renting out of ones abilities to complete another entities tasks for monetary exchange.
As odd as this sounds, I have found relief in allowing my eyes to adjust to the light created by that big burning thing in the sky. In reality, I'm probably dillusional and being affected by solar flares. Still, the feeling is pretty cool.
You should try it sometime!

Joe

sarbin · #18 Post by **sarbin** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:23 am

Trackpoint "Finger"

Trackpoint "Finger"

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