mdh@linus.UUCP (Mike Houle) (09/07/88)
As a compilation to the request for Track Ball info for the Mac.
I have gotten only a couple of results, but these are the summaries.....
From: harvard!uwvax!speedy.cs.wisc.edu!engber (Mike Engber)
There a a product called the Arcade Adaptor (by Nuvo Labs) that lets atari
joystics work on a mac+. If their trackballs are the same in terms of their
output then I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.
The adaptor came with a nice PacMan game and the package cost me $30. The
adapter is a tiny thing (1.5"x1"x.25" approx) and just attaches to the end
of the joy stick plug and then you plug it into the mouse port.
I think their phone is 805-544-5766.
I don't know how much trackballs go for, but I suspect that this is the
cheapest route.
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From: goldman@encore.UUCP (Steve Goldman)
< ***** This information has recently been sent across the net ***>
I've connected an Atari trackball to my Mac, it requires a very
simple cable change. I never really liked using it because the button
was to hard to use. If you want I can post/email the details.
Steve Goldman
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From: ll-xn!ames!coherent!dplatt (Dave Platt)
There are three brands of trackball available for the Mac; I believe
that all three are available in ADB (Mac SE / Mac II) and non-ADB
(older) models. There was a review and comparison of all three in one
of the big Mac magazines (I believe it was MacUser) within the past
couple of months.
Summary:
Kensington Turbo Mouse. The original; recently released in a
substantially updated form. The magazine review described the old
model (rectangular case and switches), but showed a picture of the new
model (squarer case, triangular switches in symmetric positions). The
old switches had a somewhat mushy feel; I suspect that they've been
revised in the new model. New model apparently uses optical sensors,
with no moving parts aside from the trackball itself; old model uses
wheel encoders. Original model lists for about $130; new model for
about $170. New model has just started shipping and may be in short
supply. New model contains auto-accelerator logic; if you move the
ball quickly, the cursor speed increases. One-year warranty.
Abaton ProPoint. Large ball, which can be lifted out of the socket
without removing the cover; convenient for cleaning, but may not be as
suitable for video-game use because the ball might pop out during rapid
spinning. $160 list, I think. This model was the most expensive of
the ones reviewed (the new Kensington wasn't available then) and was
top-rated; "well engineered". Optical sensors. Lifetime warranty.
Asher Turbo Trackball. Small ball (about 1/2 the size of the others);
some people seem to prefer the larger ball, some the smaller. Patented
encoder mechanism (made by Honeywell) using rubber-coated shafts on
which the ball rotates. Least expensive ($99 list), available for
under $70 from mail-order dealers; if you buy it directly from the
factory they'll offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Some early models
had problems with cursor "sticking"; this was corrected by the rubber-
coated encoder shafts, and defective units will be replaced by the
manufacturer. Lifetime warranty.
If you have a Mac SE or II, you can use a trackball as well as a mouse
by daisy-chaining them on the ADB. I don't know if this is possible on
a Mac Plus or older machine.
I have no details as to how one would go about adapting an Atari
trackball to work with the Mac. I suspect that it would require a
substantial amount of work, as Mac keyboards and mice contain
microprocessors that participate in a rather complex dialog with the
Mac's processors.
--
Dave Platt VOICE: (415) 493-8805
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To those who just needed to know...
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Again, thank you to all who replied.. You were very helpfull
--
Mike Houle |
| If I really had an opinion, and you
! UUCP -> decvax!linus!mdh | believed it. Then it's your fault..
! ARPA -> mdh%linus@mitre-bedford | not mine.