| Every new technology goes through a marketing | | | | fingers to move the arrow. It's actually |
| life cycle. It's new, it builds a niche, and | | | | quite comfortable and easy to use once you |
| if it's lucky it becomes indispensable. | | | | get used to it. In fact, because it takes up |
| That's where the touchpad keyboard is | | | | less desk space and it's more ergonomic, I |
| heading. Soon a touchpad keyboard may be as | | | | think it's superior to a computer mouse. |
| essential as a computer mouse. | | | | |
| | | | But trackballs are hard to find anywhere |
| The touchpad keyboard came in big with the | | | | because they don't follow the formula. You |
| laptop computer. Now it is becoming a regular | | | | push your finger and the ball just spins. |
| addition to desktop computers as well. There | | | | Where is our 3-inch x 3-inch universe? It's |
| are even peripheral touchpad systems on the | | | | gone. |
| market that you can plug into USB ports. And | | | | |
| these new products are coming out even though | | | | So the touchpad keyboard was primed and ready |
| the touchpad keyboard has several blaring | | | | when the laptop computer came out. It was not |
| weaknesses. | | | | only easy to figure out, because of its |
| | | | similar world view to the computer mouse, it |
| What determines which technologies become | | | | was portable. It was perfect for the laptop. |
| indispensable, like the touchpad keyboard, | | | | There were a few models of laptops that came |
| and which get thrown off to the side? I think | | | | with trackballs, but they didn't last. Soon |
| it has more to do with converging technology | | | | everyone got used to the idea of the universe |
| than the merits of individual technologies. | | | | as a touchpad keyboard. It doesn't matter |
| | | | that the touchpad is easily scratched, sloppy |
| Just think of the computer mouse. When it | | | | with large fingers, and prone to false |
| first came out it was hard to control and | | | | positive clicking. It's what we have and we |
| hard to follow that little arrow across the | | | | are used to it. |
| screen. It took me weeks to get the double | | | | |
| click down. And besides, I didn't see | | | | That's why we are all so excited to use the |
| anything wrong with my joystick. | | | | new versions of the touchpad keyboard for |
| | | | desk top computers. It's the natural next |
| What made the computer mouse such a hit was | | | | step. Could it be that the touchpad keyboard |
| that you had to have it for Windows. There | | | | will eventually replace the computer mouse? |
| was no need with DOS. And my joystick was | | | | |
| perfect for all my gaming needs. Then, | | | | I don't know about that, but the touchpad |
| someone decided a computer mouse would be | | | | keyboard is definitely here to stay. And, as |
| easier to navigate a computer screen with | | | | with all technology, the touchpad keyboard |
| than a joystick, so it caught on. And now | | | | will get better as it goes. The computer |
| that we're all used to the computer mouse, | | | | mouse was a pain in the neck to use when its |
| it's hard to think of using a computer | | | | little wheels inside got dirty or the cord |
| without one. That three-inch square section | | | | got tangled with stuff on your desk. Now |
| of our desk has become a microcosm of our | | | | technology has corrected those problems with |
| computer screen, and in fact the universe. | | | | light sensors and the cordless computer |
| You push it forward and the arrow goes up. | | | | mouse. |
| Nothing could be more natural. | | | | |
| | | | I'm sure the touchpad keyboard will go |
| The touchpad keyboard started off on the | | | | through similar changes that will correct its |
| right foot because it followed this | | | | problems. Maybe they will come with a finger |
| world-as-a-plain formula. Not everything was | | | | puppet-like stylus for people like me with |
| so successful. Have you ever used a | | | | fat fingers to cut down on the slop. I know |
| trackball? Have you ever heard of it? If not, | | | | keys aren't well suited for this. Maybe the |
| I wouldn't be surprised. The trackball is a | | | | newer touchpad keyboard products have already |
| wonderful invention, not much different from | | | | dealt with the common problems facing the |
| a computer mouse. It's kind of like an upside | | | | first touchpad keyboards. I guess I'll just |
| down computer mouse that sits on you desk | | | | have to try one and find out for myself. |
| top. You push the ball around with your | | | | |