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RECOMMENDATIONS: • Adjustable Worksurfaces: Tables• Seating • Monitor Supports • Wristrests • Keyboards • Mice/Trackballs • Footrests • Headsets/Phone Rests • Document Holders • Laptop Supplies • Books • Gloves • Office Supplies • Lab Supplies • Task Lighting • Break Program/Timer • Glarescreens • Self Care Products |
To decrease the strain and awkward posture associated with mousing, an input device that fits your hand and has programmable buttons is an excellent option. Flexibility and good fit are important features of mice and other input devices. In general, use of input devices should be minimized because they are a primary source of Repetitive Strain Injuries. Please refer to our keyboard shortcuts webpage and learn shortcuts for the operations you use frequently. 
A neutral hand position when using the mouse is flat. The knuckles should be even to or slightly higher than the wrist. (A 5° variation is acceptable.) The fingers should rest in a waterfall position. The middle finger should be in line with the elbow. Avoid dropping your wrist. More detailed information is provided on the mouse tips webpage. (These guidelines apply to traditional mice and trackballs, not alternative devices such as the Rennaissance Mouse, RollerMouse, or touchpads.)
You should never "click and drag" simultaneously, especially with a trackball (i.e. never hold a button while moving the ball). By programming one of the buttons to "drag" it is possible to avoid this harmful motion which is used to select areas of data or phrases or move windows. The drag button even works in such programs as Photoshop while using the various tools like the airbrush, cloning stamp, and paintbrush which normally require large amounts of "click and drag" motion. In order to program the input device buttons, you must first install the correct software for your mouse or trackball.
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If you have a Logitech mouse or trackball, please follow the instructions below. To download the latest software, go to: www.logitech.com click Support, then Downloads. Select "mice" or "trackball" and then select your model or click "Select Product by Image" and choose the image of the device that matches yours. Click the Get Software button, select your operating system, then select Set Point and follow the instructions to download and install the software on your computer.
For assistance or questions on installing or programming your Logitech input device, call Logitech technical support: (646) 454-2700.
Programming your Logitech mouse: Click here if you need help programming the Logitech mouse buttons.To download Kensington software visit the Kensington website and go to the "Software" tab. Select the operating system appropriate for your computer and download and install MouseWorks software on your computer.
Programming Kensington device buttons. Open the Mouseworks program and select the "Button" tab to program the buttons.It is recommended that you program one of the buttons to double click and another to draglock. Also, buttons can be programmed as "keystrokes" (e.g., with one touch of a button your password appears!). IMPORTANT NOTE: You can program the right click function to be any button. If you do not use right click frequently, program this function to be a button that is not at your fingertips. This frees up the traditional "right click" button to be programmed for a repetitive or stressful task you perform frequently. Alternatively, if you don't use right click to capture images, you can eliminate programming right-click on the mouse at all and use the right-click key on the keyboard (shown below). This works for all right-click functions except image capturing.
| Input Devices
Please use the guidelines above to select a mouse or trackball that fits your hand. The input devices below are our favorites, as well as unique devices designed for special applications and physical problems. |
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Logitech Marble Mouse (904360-0403) An ambidextrous trackball. The latest version of this device has four programmable buttons. Your hand should be fully supported by the device. If your wrist drops at the front, use a mousemate to support it in a neutral position. Program the buttons to draglock and double click. PS/2 and USB. $15, ProVantage |
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Kensington Expert Mouse trackball (64325)/no wireless version available Large central trackball with four programmable buttons, scroll ring, and Diamond Eye optical technology. Buttons can be programmed in pairs for commonly-performed keystrokes. Ambidextrous. USB or PS/2. $85, ProVantage |
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Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman (904369-0403) This cordless trackball fits a medium to large hand. Extra buttons allow programming for Web navigation. Radio technology requires no line-of-sight. For most users, the muscular part of the palm sits on the base of the device preventing the problem of resting of the wrist on the work surface. This product is for right-hand use only. PS/2 and USB $44, ProVantage |
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| Logitech MX610 Left-handed Cordless Mouse (93157-0403) Cordless laser mouse for left-handers. $49, ProVantage |
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Cirque Smart Cat Pro Touchpad Glidepoint technology allows you to glide your finger and tap to move the cursor. Features "hot buttons" to access shortcuts. USB connector $75 PS/2 connector $70 Cirque Corporation |
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Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Pen Used for navigation, drawing, handwriting, and sketching, the Wacom Bamboo effectively turns your computer into a tablet computer. Works with all software applications. 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, quick access to user-defined shortcuts, easy scrolling and zooming with touch ring, 4 express keys and battery-free pen. Tablet size: 7.88" W x 7.36" D x 0.3" H. Active area: 5.8" W x 3.7" D. No software, no mouse, pen has no eraser. Black only. 2,540 lines per inch resolution.   Some functions only available with Windows Vista, but works with all systems. Tablet with pen, approx. $54 ProVantage |
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Wacom Bamboo Fun Graphics Tablet, Pen, and Mouse Used for photo editing, drawing, creating artwork and paintings, and handwriting. Works with all software applications. 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, quick access to user-defined shortcuts, easy scrolling and zooming with touch ring, 4 express keys and battery-free pen with eraser, and mouse. Medium tablet size: 11.0" W x 9.3" D x 0.3" H. Active area: 8.5" W x 5.3" D. Black, silver, blue, or white colors available. 5 ft. cable. 2,540 lines per inch resolution. Comes with Photoshop Elements (Win/Mac), Nik Color Efex Pro 2 IE, Painter Essentials 3 software. Some functions only available with Windows Vista, but works with all systems. Tablet with pen, approx. $159 ProVantage |
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Contour RollerMouse Pro The RollerMouse is built with a rollerbar that controls the cursor and can be manipulated with either the thumbs or the fingertips, requiring no gripping. The RollerMouse also helps eliminate repetitive reaching for a mouse, trackball or touchpad because its controls are centrally located beneath the space bar. The RollerMouse allows the users to perform tasks such as pointing, clicking and scrolling while keeping their arms in a relaxed position at their side. PS/2 and USB. A recent study of 1000 call-center workers showed that use of the Contour RollerMouse reduced discomfort and pain by 47%. $180 Available from Source 1 Home Ordering: Available from Source 1 |
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3M Ergonomic Mouse (EM500) Vertical grip mouse for right-handed use. USB with optical tracking. Right and left click button on thumb with third button that allows scrolling in some programs. Two sizes. Use guide below to determine correct size for you.  $42 ProVantage |
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Contour Design Perfit Mouse Optical New design with scroll wheel and rocker switch for added functionality with the thumb. 4 Right hand sizes/3 Left hand sizes. Models are available for Windows 95/98/2000/XP USB or PS/2 computers and for SUN Blade, SUN Ray, or SUN Sparc workstations. $110 Windows, Ergonomic Resources$140 (SPARC), $110 Sun Blade or Sun Ray, Ergonomic Resources |
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| Adaptors | |
| MSI Bluetooth Dongle USB 2.0 For wireless communication with up to 7 open-standard Bluetooth devices (mice, keypads, keyboards, cell phones, headsets, speakers, or even toys. Operating range up to 100 meters (300 ft.) at 3 MBPS. |
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| Y-Mouse USB Adaptor for Sun Converts PC PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse to USB. Provides special Sun commands. $110, P.I. Engineering |
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Y-Mouse Dual Mouse Adaptor Allows two PS/2 input devices from the same PS/2 port. Gives you the option to switch between using two different mouse devices. Note: Kensington trackballs cannot be used with this device. $60, P.I. Engineering |
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Ergonomic Resources
www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com
P.I. Engineering, www.ymouse.com
1-517-655-5523ProVantage.com, www.ProVantage.com
1-800-336-1166Source 1 Ergonomics
(650) 369-8288
source1nf@aol.com
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