| 1) Mechanical: This is a type of computer mouse that | | | | mechanical and optomechanical mice and now that |
| has a rubber or metal ball on its underside and it can | | | | they have been around awhile the price is pretty |
| roll in every direction. Sensors within the mouse, | | | | comparable. |
| which are mechanical, detect the direction in which | | | | How does a computer mouse hook up to the |
| the ball is moving and moves the pointer on the | | | | computer? |
| screen in the same direction. A mouse pad should be | | | | Serial mouse: these ones connect directly to an |
| used under the mouse to run on. | | | | RS-232C serial port or a PS/2port. This is the simplest |
| 2) Optomechanical: This type is the same as the | | | | type of connection. |
| mechanical mouse except that it uses optical sensors | | | | PS/2 mouse: connects to a PS/2 port. |
| to the motion of the ball. A mouse pad should be | | | | USB mice |
| used under the mouse to run on. | | | | Cordless mouse: These are not physically connected |
| 3) Optical: This type uses a laser for detecting the | | | | to the computer. They rely on infrared or radio |
| mouse's movement. You don't need amouse pad but | | | | waves to communicate with the computer. Cordless |
| you can use one made for optical mice. Optical mice | | | | are more expensive than both the serial and bus |
| do not have anymechanical moving parts. This type | | | | mouse. The nice thing is that there is no cord to |
| responds more quickly and precisely than the | | | | constrain or get in your way. |