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Microsoft got into the hardware business largely as a marketing tool: When Windows 3.0 was released more than a decade ago, mice were in short supply for the PC platform. So Microsoft decided that if they built a better mouse, the world would be beating a path to the Windows door. Over the years since, the hardware unit has evolved into a division with a rather staggering product lineup -- five keyboards (with a sixth on the way), 11 pointing devices (nine mice and two trackballs), and 11 game controllers (including three joysticks and two racing wheels). Now there is a device to fit everyone's taste. Well, almost everyone's taste. Some people -- yes, that would be me -- mouse left-handed, and Microsoft is very much a right-handed hardware provider. Says a Microsoft spokesperson: "Microsoft research indicates that ninety-five percent of the population is right-handed, with almost half of left-handed people using a right-handed mouse." Redmond is not alone in this practice. The other major makers, such as Logitech, do precisely the same thing. Lefties have to settle for ambidextrous mice. But they are lesser models without all the ergonomic touches of the top-line units. For example, the IntelliMouse Explorer (below left) is a superbly designed mouse that comfortably cradles your hand and allows access to four buttons and scrolling wheel with minimal strain. But it only works in the right hand. The IntelliMouse Optical (below right) is a perfectly good mouse, with the same number of buttons. However, it is lacks that extra comfort of the Explorer.
And if your tastes run to trackballs such the Trackball Explorer (below), you are out of luck. There are no lefty Microsoft trackballs.
Obviously, economics wouldn't permit every device to be made in left-handed versions. But I would like to see Microsoft, Logitech, et al make at least their #1 model in two versions. This is not just about accommodating lefties. I am right-handed, but I mouse with the left as a safeguard against repetitive motion injury. There would be ergonomic value in allowing more mousing options. Microsoft certainly has been out front ergonomically on keyboards. I credit the Natural Keyboard Pro with making it possible for me to type again after my injury. The "wave" layout arranges your hands in a way that puts less strain on your wrists and I find it very comfortable to use. Of course, not everyone likes that shape. Microsoft has a number of more conventional offerings. I was underwhelmed by the new Office Keyboard and instead prefer the Internet Keyboard Pro. It combines a rectangular layout with a palm rest and an array of keys that allow you to control standard functions ranging from opening your email application to going to your home page to muting the volume of your PC's sound system.
I am told that hardcore gamers don't necessarily give Microsoft's "Sidewinder" gaming line top ratings. But I have always found them fairly priced and solidly designed. My tastes in games runs to auto racing and flight/space simulations, which means that my gaming devices of choice are joysticks and steering wheels. The Precision 2 Joystick (below left) is the workhorse in my gaming center, as I maneuver through the cosmos and, when I don't feel like looking up a wheel, turning in a hot lap at Daytona. The Force Feedback 2 Joystick is a like design, but with the added bonus of providing resistance so you have tactile clues to what you are doing. The Force Feedback Steering Wheel (below right) carries the principle to the racing wheel. It also comes without feedback as the Precision Racing Wheel. Both units include accelerator and brake pedals, plus programmable buttons. As with the joystick, the force feedback units cost more, but do communicate a sense of how well your racecar is sticking to the track.
In the gamepad realm, the top line product is the Sidewinder Gamepad Pro, a sleek silver unit that includes advanced Sidewinder software, which allows you to program the buttons to create keystroke macros and operate games that don't necessarily support game controllers.
One of the more novel items in the lineup is the Sidewinder Game Voice. Think of it as basically a gamepad with a Plantronics headset attached. It is intended both to allow controlling a game through voice commands and to allow for Internet gamers to chat by voice.
As an extra attraction, the unit also will work as your microphone for Windows and Office XP voice command and dictation features. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since publication of the original article, the Microsoft lineup has expanded to include a Wireless Desktop package. The keyboard is essentially the standard Microsoft Internet Keyboard (same basic layout as the "Pro" version above, but fewer programmable keys) -- minus the cord. It gives you the familiar Microsoft touch and features in a wireless bundle. The mouse is a new ambidextrous design that I think is an advance over existing Microsoft designs, but is a conventional "ball" type rather than optical. (It is available separately as the Wireless Wheel Mouse.) Asked why no "Pro" layout or optical mouse, a company spokesperson said that Wireless Desktop was intended to attract the broadest audience, including customers who want cordless convenience but not necessarily power user features. In any case, the Wireless Desktop is very aggressively priced. Street prices generally run under $65; some online vendors going under $60. The solid feel and solid price make the Microsoft Wireless Desktop a solid buy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can reach Al Gordon at:
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