kspes
Den Leaders
Posts: 69
|
Post by kspes on Jun 16, 2023 9:17:10 GMT
Hi Everyone,
I'd like to share something I've discovered a few years ago which has transformed the way I play games. I've started using a "trackball" instead of a regular mouse. That way I don't need a surface to move the mouse on and can just sit back in my couch and play away. The cursor is controlled by moving an actual ball inside the mouse either with your thumb or fingers (depending on the model).
It's old tech, was widely used before mice took over but it still has it's uses.
I find myself playing games on the couch much more often nowadays, instead of watching Netflix and similar when I want to wind down. I either hook up my laptop or Steam Deck into the tv, connect the trackball via bluetooth and voilla! I tried using a wireless trackpad (Apple magic trackpad) but it wasn't as practical or ergonomic for longer periods;
I enjoy playing Royal Envoy and various adventure games the most. Currently I'm replaying Phantasmagoria from Sierra, what a treat!
Does anyone else play games with trackballs?
 |
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK AND ALL'S WELL
Posts: 16,570 
|
Post by pennmom on Jun 16, 2023 11:04:15 GMT
Phantasmagoria from Sierra Number 1 or 2? I have used the trackpad but not a trackball |
|
kspes
Den Leaders
Posts: 69
|
Post by kspes on Jun 16, 2023 11:59:28 GMT
Phantasmagoria from Sierra Number 1 or 2? I have used the trackpad but not a trackball Number 1, probably going to play number 2 as well afterward, never played the sequel.
How did you like playing on a trackpad?
|
|
Jo
Skunk
Forest Ranger
Posts: 2,024
|
Post by Jo on Jun 16, 2023 14:52:56 GMT
I will join you in singing the praises of a trackball mouse!
I just don't sit on the couch to use it. But my brother did and could even lie down, put the mouse on his stomach and game like crazy. It's a versatile mouse!
I started with the basic Logitech wired trackball years ago and have gotten fancier and wireless in recent years. I wore out my last one and have been looking at getting a new one. I think they give better control with a lot less effort and space than a regular mouse.
As a sweet little old lady gamer who hangs out on the internet with other sweet little old lady gamers, I've known quite a few people who prefer a trackball mouse because of fine motor skill and mobility issues. You don't have to move your wrist at all and you've got a big old roller ball that you can use with several fingers (or your thumb depending on the mouse). It helps people game comfortably even with physical limitations.
And they look pretty cool in your hand! |
|
kspes
Den Leaders
Posts: 69
|
Post by kspes on Jun 16, 2023 18:36:10 GMT
Yeah, gaming with a trackball on my stomach, the best feeling hehe 
A lot of my colleagues developed serious wrist problems, especially the artists, so I'm kinda scared that could happen to me, since I'n on the computer pretty much all the time. Trackballs and ergonomic keyboards go a long way in preventing problem, because they require so little muscle movement to move the mouse.
Since getting my first trackball, that obsession kinga got a bit out of hand to be honest  But it's nice and quirky and everyone that tries to use my computer gives up quickly, so that's a plus right there.
Here's a photo of my work desk, 2 keyboard/trackball combos, a trackpad in the middle and one finger-trackball on the right. That white one is actually a relic, made in 1998 by Logitech, still works wonderfully even today. I use a wireless adapter with it to play games sometimes as well.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK AND ALL'S WELL
Posts: 16,570
|
Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2023 13:50:54 GMT
kspes, I was a diehard Mac fan but due to unforeseen circumstances I had to replace all my gadgets & tech and decided to go with an Alienware Aurora & 38" curved monitor. I like my PC but still loved my 27" iMac Pro desktop...and laptops...and magic mouse...and trackpads...and my ipads (and most of all, my beloved Loki  ) I did hate how Apple abandoned one OS after another tho!
|
|
kspes
Den Leaders
Posts: 69
|
Post by kspes on Jun 18, 2023 18:11:20 GMT
pennmom yeah. similar here, been using macs since 2008, prefer them for many reasons but boy are they expensive and the planned obsolesence really gets on my nerves. I get at most 6 years on average of each mac before Apple abbandons it... Still have the 2017 iMac Pro, a personal favorite. They still haven't ditched it, hoping for 1-2 more years. I've used pretty much every modern OS, Windows, Linux, Solaris, MacOS, and when I draw the bottom line, I hate Macs the least :)
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK AND ALL'S WELL
Posts: 16,570
|
Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2023 20:33:27 GMT
pennmom yeah. similar here, been using macs since 2008, prefer them for many reasons but boy are they expensive and the planned obsolesence really gets on my nerves. I get at most 6 years on average of each mac before Apple abbandons it... Still have the 2017 iMac Pro, a personal favorite. They still haven't ditched it, hoping for 1-2 more years. I've used pretty much every modern OS, Windows, Linux, Solaris, MacOS, and when I draw the bottom line, I hate Macs the least Rut-row, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but...  The iMac Pro went out of stock in the United States and other countries earlier today, and now, the iMac Pro page has been removed entirely from Apple's website. With the iMac Pro page eliminated, there is no longer an option to buy an iMac Pro in the United States or in any other country, and the machine is no longer listed in the Apple Store app, nor does a search bring up iMac Pro listings. Apple has also changed the Mac compatibility filter for the iMac Pro to say "2017" instead of "2017 and later," making it clear that there will be no more iMac Pro models in the future. Apple first announced plans to discontinue the iMac Pro in early March, and said at the time that the iMac Pro would be available for purchase "while supplies last," but supplies have apparently dried up. Though Apple has removed the iMac Pro from its website following its discontinuation, there are still a variety of iMac Pro models available from Apple's refurbished store. Apple recommends that users who are looking for a high-end Mac choose the 27-inch iMac, which was last refreshed in August 2020. The current 27-inch iMac configured with a 10-core Core i9 processor is faster and more affordable than the standard iMac Pro with a 10-core Xeon W processor was. Apple is also working on a redesigned iMac that will feature slimmer bezels, a Pro Display XDR-style design, and Apple silicon chips, so those who are seeking a powerful desktop machine may want to wait until the new iMac models come out later this year before making a purchase. www.macrumors.com/2021/03/19/imac-pro-officially-discontinued/ |
|
kspes
Den Leaders
Posts: 69
|
Post by kspes on Jun 18, 2023 20:44:14 GMT
pennmom, I know, I meant software support for the iMac Pro. I was lucky to have been able to buy one when it came out, and really hope to get more software updates from Apple for it. They dropped all 2017 devices in MacOS 14 (Sonoma) except for the iMac Pro (2017). If they drop it from MacOS 15, that'll be a real shame, that machine is a beast that could last for maybe the next 5-10 years in my case. Unfortunately, apple's developer tools usually get tied to the latest OS, meaning the iMac Pro would be useless to me if they drop it :/ Oh well, at least I get to enjoy it one more year.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK AND ALL'S WELL
Posts: 16,570
|
Post by pennmom on Jun 19, 2023 1:33:51 GMT
kspes, I encountered a lot of games on BF that weren't compatible with the resolution of my iMac Pro. In all fairness, I do believe they were going back & updating the games. At one point, BF warned us not to upgrade our iOS because the games wouldn't work! But then again, I went for 8+ years with a GM that didn't work because I bought too many games, the infamous 1404 Game Manager Glitch that finally got fixed in August of 2022 Rolling Along
|
|
kspes
Den Leaders
Posts: 69
|
Post by kspes on Jun 19, 2023 8:42:56 GMT
pennmom Yeah it's not just the resolution, most mac games on BFG don't work because apple dropped support for 32 bit applications. Your best bet for casual games on Mac is either the Mac App Store or Steam I guess. Don't see big fish updating their catalog for Mac anytime soon, mostly because developers would have to redo their games for 64-bit and the new Apple Silicon chips, which is a lot of work in most cases. Where-as Windows 11 still supports the good old 32 bit apps and I don't see it going away soon. I understand Apple's decision on that but it really sucks, a lot of good apps and games were forever lost for the Mac because of that decision. And it's not like they couldn't maintain a compatibility layer like they're doing on Apple Silicon Macs now, argh.
|
|
Jo
Skunk
Forest Ranger
Posts: 2,024
|
Post by Jo on Jun 21, 2023 15:01:41 GMT
I was looking on Amazon for a new trackball when I found this. Holy cow! That was my original trackball mouse and I don't think I paid more than $25 for it. Has it become a collector item? I've still got it around here somewhere. Need to find it since it's worth a fortune.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK AND ALL'S WELL
Posts: 16,570
|
Post by pennmom on Jun 21, 2023 17:46:37 GMT
Jo, sell that puppy on ebay!
|
|
sandy
Mallard Duck
Posts: 148
|
Post by sandy on Jun 22, 2023 5:28:53 GMT
A wireless Trackball is all I've used for years. Love it. I doubt I could use a regular mouse now. The ball is on the left side, though , which is perfect for my hand.
|
|
But it's nice and quirky and everyone that tries to use my computer gives up quickly, so that's a plus right there.
