track ball

Related to track ball: digital camera, Output devices, Input devices, Web camera, Barcode reader

track ball

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

trackball

A stationary pointing device that contains a movable ball rotated with the fingers or palm. From one to four keys are located in various positions depending on the unit. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Kensington Microware popularized the trackball with its Turbo Mouse for the Mac. Turbo Mouse for Windows was subsequently released, and over the years, the Turbo Mouse evolved into the Expert Mouse and Orbit brands.

The advantage of the trackball, and the reason many people like it, is that the unit remains in the same position on the desk, and only the ball is moved. See mouse, pointing stick and touchpad.

The Turbo Mouse

The Turbo Mouse popularized the trackball for the Mac. Later models were developed for the PC. (Image courtesy of Kensington Microware, Ltd.)

Copyright © 1981-2019 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

References in periodicals archive ?

The new 8800 unit, however, replaces the nuisance track wheel with a track ball navigation system that acts more like a mouse, and thus is intuitively easier to use.

GPS, voice-notes add appeal, utility for gents using BlackBerry Mobile Unit; tech editor's product review finds demise of the track wheel another blessing

IndeMouse is a USB device that translates movements of a pointing device, such as a mouse or track ball (not included), into mouse functions such as click, double-click, or drag.

IndeMouse

Scratchy Pad is not your average whirling track ball toy.

More fun for every cat

Each new model has an optical track ball and scroll wheel; the latter serves double-duty as both a navigation and volume control.

Next generation dictation input device

For example, a mouse device has buttons and a track ball for sensing the planar motion.

Software architecture for a Virtual Environment for Nano Scale Assembly (VENSA)

Its thumb-operated track ball and ergonomic contour make cursor movement easy and comfortable, while its second left-click button lets users trigger instead of click the mouse.

Phaser. (Storage & Peripherals)

Fierman fitted Hoppe with voice-activated software to operate his computer and an adapted track ball to help him navigate the screen.

WORKING TOGETHER

One is a battery-operated personal computer for paramedics, who will wear the device across their shoulders and check patients' vital signs and injuries with a handheld track ball containing a video camera and sensors.