APPLE AND THE ERA OF THE HOCKEY PUCK MOUSE

I became a Mac user in back in August 2003. Being new to the Mac I went with what I new – my crappy corded microsoft mouse leftover from my desktop PC. There was nothing else…. right? My previous experience with a ‘mac mouse’ was the infamous hockey puck. I remember attempting to use a lovely bluebery iMac with this strange circular thing attached to it and was immediately frustrated. What was all this one button crap?  This expierence would prepare me for another 6 year protest of Apple mice.

THE GHOST OF MOUSES (MICE?) PAST

As a designer I find it impossible to design solely using the trackpad so I always have a mouse on hand.  I’ve have owned several Logitech and Microsoft mice with various sized usb receivers and even a few bluetooth models here and there.  I’m the sort of person that likes to be able to use keyboard shortcuts and program mouse buttons for as much functionality as much as possible. Each mouse had its merits and its 15 minutes of fame.

I was using my Logitech VX Nano for a while and have been mostly happy with this mouse. I had it set up just the way I like it: Tilt scroll wheel left/right for volume control, scroll wheel click for for spotlight search,  extra up/down buttons for web navigation. Pretty sweet set up! One problem:  my scroll wheel started making noises (which I find extremly annoying) and has been loosing sensitivity… or I’m just going crazy.

GIVING THE  MIGHTY MOUSE A TRY

Apple Bluetoth Mighty Mouse

After my frustrations with my trustly logitech mouse I gave up and went back to a wired Apple Mighty Mouse. I had been using this mouse a while and grew quite accustomed to the 360 scroll wheel. (not to mention the control+scroll wheel zoom for super-pixel design examination). But then… I grew frustrated with being tied down by a cord. So I decided to give the bluetooth mighty mouse a try. All was happy and full of glee for the first few months until I encountered the ‘dead scroll ball’ problem. While the idea of 360 degree scrolling is so helpful in programs like Illustrator and Photostop the unreliable scrollball made this a nightmare. I would be happily scrolling along and then BAM… its dead.  I tried the rubbing on a piece of paper trick and it didn’t work so like the impatient person that I am – I gave up and went back to my trusty but noisy Logitech mouse until I saw the light today.

HELLO MAGIC MOUSE!

So I saw all the hullabaloo about Apples new ‘Magic Mouse’ earlier today. (Sidenote: Who was high when they named this thing???) I have to say that I was hooked right away because of one thing – NO SCROLLBALL!!!!! It’s like Apple read my mind and removed the one thing I hated about the Mighty Mouse! I’m also looking forward to being able to use the swipe functionality to navigate in Safari and through photos.

Oh… and then there’s the lovely design and all the cool multi-touch technology thats packed inside…

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Did Apple create a breakthrough product that will change the industry? Or is this just a piece of overpriced plastic? Did you hop on the fanboi bandwagon and purchase a Magic Mouse? Leave a comment and let me know what you think! I value all your feedback (negative or positive)!

I’m on vacation for the next few days so there won’t be any posts for a week or so. But… I thought I would show you what I was up to This is what nerds do on vacation!

Btw- if you are looking for color inspiration take a look at kites! Lots of bright and shiny color schemes!

I downloaded TweetDeck on my iPod Touch and gave it a spin. Leave a comment and let me know what you think of tweetdeck!

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Oh man…I love Love LOVE silly stuff like this: Bacolicio.us Baconize any website in seconds! Its even more hilarious to be because I’m a vegitarian – but I still love things like this baconator advertisement on pandora or bacon flavored floss, or even bacon (and tofu) toys! Goooooooooo bacon!

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Chris CSS-Tricks.com

1. Keys. Featuring: screwdriver-based multitool, gym membership keycard, and random decorative loop thingy.
2. Pocket utility blade. I recommend carrying a blade with you at all times. You don’t even realize how useful it is until you start doing it.
3. Wallet. Featuring a zipper. I fear losing stuff out of my wallet due to loose pockets.
4. iPhone. Bonus geek points!
5. Notepad. Ideas are much easier to get out when you can jot them down quick rather than have to type them. Plus you can sketch!
6. Gel pen. I like me gel pens. Smoooth.
7. Capo. That’s how us banjo players change key.
8. Headphones. My ears must be deformed or something, because those earbuds just do not work for me. The next best thing for me are these sport wrap things that hold them into place.
9. Wrist brace. I have pain in my right hand no doubt caused from sitting at the computer FAR too much. RSI probably. This helps a little.

Liz http://www.cmdshiftdesign.com

• 15″ MacbookPro  & charger
• 4GB USB Stick
• 60GB iPod Classic (White)
• Sony Noise Canceling headphones
• Business Cards
• Two ticket stubs for “The Dar Knight”
• Sketchbook
• Burt’s Beeswax lip balm
• Seattle Metro ticket book
• Various colored old bus transfer slips
• Crumpled receipt for indian food restaurant around the corner
• Celphone
• Sharpie
• Mechanical Pencil
• Gel Pens
• Digital Camera
• A sandwich baggy full of dried cranberries
• Wallet
• Sunglasses

Adelle Charles http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com

• Business Cards
• Moleskine Notebook
• Graph Paper Notebook
• iphone
• couple uniball pens (black)
• western digital 250gb harddrive
• wallet
• Design Matters: Packaging (book Im currently reading)
• encase iphone holder
• airbook (not shown)
• Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTI (not shown because I was taking the pic)
• Canon Rechargable Battery

Mat  http://www.matmarquis.com/blog

• Backpack
• black bandanna
• headphones
• passport
• MacBook and a/c adapter
• Achewood key chain
• Team Brunello game of choice: the Rubix cube

Kaydee http://www.blinnks.com

• Betsey Johnson Bag
• Cookie Monster Checkbook
• Betsey Johnson WAllet
• Mini Book of Soudoku
• Ipod Photo
• Kate Spade Business Card Holder
• Eclipse gum
• lighter
• 3 rimmel lipgloss
• chapstick
• $1.25
• Mess of keys
• h&m sunglasses
• Journal for thoughts & ideas
• Columbus, oh culture event mag: melt
• assorted pens
• phone

Curtis Mchale http://www.curtismchale.ca/

• Chrome Metropolis Messenger Bag

Entirely weatherproof and essential as I do live in BC. 20010 cu. in of super comfy load carrying coolness. You can’t see the cool seatbelt release buckle from this angle but I get stopped on the road and asked about just this feature. Then I nerd out about the rest of the bag. I should be sponsored. Seriously I have convinced 10 or 15 people this summer to go get one.  They are even greatly improved since I got mine. I want a new one just for the new rear light clip. http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/messenger/

• HTC Touch

My communication with the world. Can check my email on the road and tweet when it strikes me. keeps all my appointments and contacts.

• iPod

love music and need it to work by. Will probably be getting a new iPod touch soon but this does the job.

• Macbook – it’s actually the wife’s cause I’m still saving for my MBP. Check out the cool Gelaskin though.

• Hardback folder – keeps things from jabbing into your back and keeps papers looking professional

• Bike lock – only carry it when I am riding my bike which is often

• Olympus Stylus Digital Camera

I love to take pictures so carry a camera where ever I go. This little guy is a few years old but takes pictures at 314ppi (an arbitrary number I know) and keeps on rocking. I actually have a second one with no battery for the day this gives up the goat. It’s weather proof as well so I use it in the rain and on the side of the river. I also have a Cannon 10D but it’s too big to carry all the time.

• Blurr Docket Organizer – http://www.blurrstuff.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=46&products_id=332

carries my moleskins and all of my important cards. A bit big but when I don’t take my big bag it holds my ipod and headphones and cell phone and change… so it’s like my second bag. 9. Old Pair of Smith Slide sunglasses – I hate not having sunglasses so I just keep an extra old pair in my bag. These are also great when I’m riding because they have yellow lenses for low light levels.

• Deodorant – you just never know

• Headphones – Ultimate Ears Metro.fi 2 noise cancelling earphones. I love these. they keep distraction out and produce amazing sound. Much better than my last pair of Shures and at 1/4 of the cost.

• Leatherman multitool -

If I could only count the times that I have used this. Re-attached a canopy to a truck way out in the bush. Fixed bikes for random strangers cause I used to be a bike mechanic and I’m nice. Pulled slivers, unjammed stuff when I shouldn’t have pushed that hard and I’m just that kind of guy. I actually have another small knife not in the picture hidden in the bag.

Didi

1. my brown bag.
2. black wallet.
3. green wallet.
4. brown wallet.
5. my comb.
6. black beaded necklace.
7. headbands, double-banded.
8. a socket.
9. hairband, rubberband and pins.
10. a pen and an eraser.
11. location tag and my usb drive.
12. my gsm and cdma cell phones.
13. some receipts.
14. patricia highsmith’s ripley’s game
15. lipbalm.
16. my face cream.
17. some change.
18. my watch.
19. my sketch/notebook.
20. LOLOL WHERE IS MY NUMBER 20???
21. fyodor dostoevsky’s crime and punishment
22. a button.

ME! http://bananasandcoffee.com

1. Timbuk2 Slant bag
2. Handy Dandy notebook!
3. Emergency quarters….just in case i need to spontaneously do laundry or something.
4. iPod nano (soon to be replaced with a touch!)
5. Mini moo cards for tiny mouse design
6. writing utensils
7. re-useable grocery bag thing
8. wallet
9. kitty wanted to be in the pic (i call him cheddar!)

Random Fact:

In the land of the shawnimals, mustaches are known to give wee ninjas flying rides through the clouds.

And a cute little weeee monster pencil case!

This was one of their featured artists creations: Adam & Eve. I love the use of the closure band!