Sabtu, 02 November 2013

A Foot Controlled Mouse Offers Benefits

By Kelly Wood


A foot controlled mouse, like the more traditional hand operated device, is attached to the computer and allows the user to move the cursor around and click with their feet. This offers a number of advantages such as preventing injuries and increasing efficiency. There are a number of different types of devices available on the market today.

The design usually consists of two parts. One part is commonly called the slipper and is used to control the movement of the cursor. Another part called the pedal is used for clicking. When using both feet together, all the functions normally available with a hand-controlled device such as selecting from a menu, dragging and scrolling can be accomplished.

Many people today suffer from repetitive strain injury, particularly those whose professions involve long hours at the computer like editors and graphic designers. For them such a device provides a means of preventing this type of injury. For those who already have problems with their fingers, like carpel tunnel syndrome or shoulder and neck injuries, using their feet offers a workable solution. People with disabilities involving limited or no use of their hands may also be able to use this type of device.

Far from hindering efficiency, such a device can actually boost it. Think about the time wasted in moving one hand continually away from the keyboard to the mouse. Editors can keep both hands on the keyboard and edit using their feet very effectively. Graphic designers too, can increase their production and multitask in this manner, especially when short cuts they use frequently can be programmed in.

It is easy to click with a foot as not much precision is needed. Moving the cursor is not as easy. However, if you think about about how you learned to operate the pedals of a car and how automatic this action became to you, you realize that this skill becomes easy with practice.

Using such a device does not affect any of the other input devices used. This means that you can choose to use devices simultaneously. You have to find out which combination works best for you, offering you the most efficiency while saving you from excessive strain at the same time. For example, computer gamers like the fact that they can click and have their hands free at the same time.

When using pedals, it is important to make yourself as comfortable as possible in your chair, adjusting the height to make sure your feet reach them easily. It is still important to take breaks as your ankles can also take strain. However, they are less likely to take as much strain as the wrists because feet are used to this repetitive type of activity with the ankles moving constantly.

The benefits of using a foot controlled mouse are extensive, particularly for those who are suffering from repetitive strain injuries to their shoulders, necks, wrists and fingers. Contrary to the feeling that using such a device affects productivity, it can actually increase it in certain cases. It makes sense that being able to multitask can speed up production. The feet can be used very effectively in this manner by many people, including those who cannot use their hands.




About the Author:



Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar