Fiber-Optic Mouse?

Adjusted points to 100

Thanks a lot! 100 points increased for your prompt response!

I think She means not a fiber optic mouse, just an optical mouse. They have an array of light sensors underneath and you use them on a special kind of mouse pad that is printed with a grid of dots or something similar, when you move the mouse it moves over the marks on the pad and the rate and motion is detected by the light sensors. You can't use them with standard mouse pads. They are a bit of a pain in the neck since you need to clean your pad quite often when it gets a little grubby. They can be more precise and give good resolution with less slip than standard "opto mechanical" mice though.

I guess it is possible that a "fiber optic" mouse is a gimmicky device working on the same principles that connects to an IR port or has it's sensors built into the connector shell and has a fiber optic link to the actual mouse.

Another device that might have been meant was a wireless infra red mouse that has no wire and sends data to an infra red pickup.

Road Warrior

Adjusted points to 200

Whoops! I thought I increased it to more than 100! Here are your 200 points for being such a prompt expert!

hey40:

You have to click on accept comment as answer for the person to receive the points you assign :)

rcloyd

Oh yeah,

and you dont even need a mouse pad with an Intellieye. You can use it on any flat clean surface.

So do I need a special mousepad?

I am looking at the Intellimouse Explorer as opposed to the regular one that has a wheel.

Thanks!

*hehe*

Thanks! :)


Now...how do I delete this message? :)

*hehe*

Thanks! :)


Now...how do I delete this message? :)

I'm not meaning to steal any points - since the question has been answered.

I just thought I'd clarify.

Many years ago several manufacturers brought out 'optical mice' which had a simple optical sensor that looked at a very fine grid on the mouse mat.  They had all the obvious problems of keeping it clean.  They were unreliable because the slightest bit of dirt would be read falsely by the sensor.  Believe me, I've used one (about 10 years ago, mind).  They died out because a normal mouse was simply easier (and cheaper).

However, Microsoft have now brought out the Intellieye Mouse.  This is much smarter because it looks at the desk surface and 'remembers' the pattern.  When you move it, it works out which way it moved.  So, it doesn't matter what the surface is (as long as it is not totally plain).  By all accounts it works very well and is a lot easier to clean than your average mouse.

Just thought I'd clear that up.

Thanks for your clarification!