PRACTICAL ADVICE WHEN BUYING A MOUSE

The mouse is one the most used input device, so it is important to get a mouse you are comfortable with. Mice are divided up into 2 types of movement technology, mechanical and optical.

Mechanical mice
works on the principle of using a rubber ball which when the mouse is moved transfers the movement to 2 rollers with small holes on their ends. An infrared beam is passed thought the discs and a pair of infrared detectors calculates the speed and direction the mouse is moving by the pattern of interruptions in the beam. This information is then passed on to the computer.

Optical mice
works on a much simpler principle. Firstly they differ from mechanical mice by having no mechanical parts. They operate on the system of using a light pad, which has a grid of lines on it. Then when the mouse is moved the pattern of how the light is broken when reflected of the surface on which the mouse is being used and passed though the lines determine the speed and direction of the mouse. With an optical mouse a mouse mat is not necessary, any non-reflective surface can be used.

Corded or cordless
Mice are also divided in to two more categories, with cord and cordless. Mice with a cord connect to the computer via the cord. Cordless mice use radio waves to connect the mouse to a receiver that is connected to the computer. Cordless mice are more convenient to use, but are more expensive and some require batteries.

Interface
Mice can be connected to the computer via 3 different types of interface, PS/2 (5 pin round socket), Serial (9 pin trapezoid socket) and USB (a small flat 4 pin socket). Make sure the mouse you purchase has connector that is compatible with the mouse socket on your computer.

Number of buttons
Another important consideration is the number of buttons on the mouse. Most come with 2 or 3 buttons, which are all that are needed to perform all the basic function required from a mouse. But some have more buttons that can be programmed within the software supplied with the mouse to perform additional functions, i.e. a double click function.

Scroll wheel
Also some mice come with a scroll wheel that is usually positioned between the top two buttons on the mouse. It used to scroll up and down on pages in a document, or on Internet pages, etc. It is usually a plastic or rubber wheel which when rolled up or down, transfers the movement to computer that performs the corresponding scrolling action on the application that is being used.