 The lowly little mouse started off as a small box with a
cable in the early 1960’s. The innovations in mouse technology that
have appeared since then may seem small to the end user, but they are
significant in increasing productivity.
The wheel mouse allows users to scroll up and down pages easily. The
optical mouse increases accuracy and does away with the need for a
mouse pad and constant cleaning. Additional mouse buttons provide
convenient shortcuts. Wireless mice give the user more freedom.
Now Microsoft has created a mouse that uses all of these beneficial
technologies plus one more.
The new Wireless mouse features a scroll wheel with Tilt Wheel
Technology. This technology allows users to maneuver the scroll wheel
from side to side when the document or Web page is wider than the
screen. The tilt wheel works quite well and will be especially
helpful for computer users who work on large spreadsheets and database
tables. I also found it useful in my e-mail program and occasionally
helpful when viewing wide Web pages.
To take advantage of the mouse’s five programmable buttons, you must
install the included mouse drivers and software. The installation is
easy. The mouse comes with a USB connection, but has adapters included
for connection to a PS/2 port. It is compatible with both PCs and
Macintosh computers. The mouse comes with a small receiver that is
plugged into the computer. Once the receiver is plugged in, the
software is installed, and the batteries are inserted, the mouse itself
is completely unthethered. It works on radio frequencies transmitted to
and from the receiver.
This mouse makes it easy to switch between open applications. This is
accomplished by pressing down on the wheel. The five buttons can be
programmed to suit the user’s needs. Three of the buttons can be
programmed for multiple uses, for example, the same button can “cut” in
Word, but “sort” in Excel. The unique scroll wheel also scrolls very
smoothly in contrast to other mice which have a kind of ratcheting feel
when scrolling. The smoothness not only feels good, but it enables the
user to move up and down the page more quickly.
This wireless IntelliMouse Explorer features a new optical technology
that delivers good accuracy and precision. Microsoft claims that this
new technology will also deliver up to six months of battery life for
most users. The unit also features an improved 27MHz wireless
technology. Intuitive software will notify the user if the mouse is
receiving interference from other wireless devices like cordless
phones. Microsoft is also reducing the likelihood of interference with
65,000 random identification codes. The wireless technology allows the
user to move up to six feet away from the base station.
The new technologies are augmented by a slightly new design. The
Explorer has finger grooves and a thumb scoop which gives it a
comfortable feeling, but also limits it to right-hand users. Microsoft
is obviously taking a page out of Apple’s book by offering the mouse in
Black Leather, Platinum, Metallic Blue and Metallic Grey.
In general the wireless feature worked well and will be welcome in
certain circumstances. For the average user, however, the wireless
feature will not be terribly useful. The Wireless IntelliMouse® Explorer also comes in a wired version. If you use your computer a lot, the other features will be worthwhile.
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