I am considering a new iMac. My "set Up" computer desk houses the
keyboard and mouse in a drawer with limited space. I am currently using
an ADB keyboard and ADB Turbo Mouse connected to the computer via a
Griffin iMate. I have no room for a mouse pad and a rolling mouse.

The set up I am considering is a new Kensington trackball (USB)
connected to an Apple wireless keyboard then to the computer via
Bluetooth. Will this work?

I know that Kensington make a wireless trackball, but I cannot find
anything that says it connects via Bluetooth.

Or, connecting my current Kensington Turbo Mouse via the iMate to an
Apple wireless keyboard. could this work?

TIA

In article <never-2878A5.16312924092004[at]nntp0.pdx.net>,
clw <never[at]home.org> wrote:

> I am considering a new iMac. My "set Up" computer desk houses the
> keyboard and mouse in a drawer with limited space. I am currently using
> an ADB keyboard and ADB Turbo Mouse connected to the computer via a
> Griffin iMate. I have no room for a mouse pad and a rolling mouse.
>
> The set up I am considering is a new Kensington trackball (USB)
> connected to an Apple wireless keyboard then to the computer via
> Bluetooth. Will this work?

There is no USB on a Bluetooth keyboard, since it does not connect to
the computer via USB. You would have to connect the trackball to the
computer.

On 2004-09-24 19:31:29 -0400, clw <never[at]home.org> said:

> I am considering a new iMac. My "set Up" computer desk houses the
> keyboard and mouse in a drawer with limited space. I am currently
> using an ADB keyboard and ADB Turbo Mouse connected to the computer via
> a Griffin iMate. I have no room for a mouse pad and a rolling mouse.
> The set up I am considering is a new Kensington trackball (USB)
> connected to an Apple wireless keyboard then to the computer via
> Bluetooth. Will this work?
>
> I know that Kensington make a wireless trackball, but I cannot find
> anything that says it connects via Bluetooth.
> Or, connecting my current Kensington Turbo Mouse via the iMate to an
> Apple wireless keyboard. could this work?
>
> TIA

Unfortunately plugging the iMate into the Keyboard won't work. The
Apple Wireless Keyboard does not have any USB ports. Hosting USB
devices would make the battery life of the keyboard go down
dramatically. You would have to plug the trackball into the iMac
directly.

I haven't looked for any Bluetooth trackballs, but you may look into an
optical mouse. Depending on the surface, an optical mouse most likely
don't require any sort of mouse pad. I personally like my
mouse-sensitivity turned way up, so I don't need much space for my
mouse.

Sam

On 2004-09-24 19:55:02 -0500, Samuel Davies <mrbeefy[at]mac.com> said:

> Depending on the surface, an optical mouse most likely don't require
> any sort of mouse pad.

Wouldn't it still scratch up your desk, though?

--
"I've seen first hand how Superman actually transforms people's lives. 
I have seen children dying of brain tumors who wanted as their last
request to be able to talk to me, and have gone to their graves with a
peace brought on by knowing that their belief in this kind of character
is intact.  I've seen that Superman really matters.  They're connecting
with something very basic: the ability to overcome obstacles, the
ability to persevere, the ability to understand difficulty and to turn
your back on it."
- Christopher Reeve

Keeper of the Purple Twilight wrote:

> On 2004-09-24 19:55:02 -0500, Samuel Davies <mrbeefy[at]mac.com> said:
>
>> Depending on the surface, an optical mouse most likely don't require
>> any sort of mouse pad.
>
>
> Wouldn't it still scratch up your desk, though?
>

Depends on the mouse. Mine seems to have a rubber pad
strip around the edges which should prevent scratches.

I use an old style desk blotter on which sit
both the keyboard and the mouse. When I need
to free-wheel with the mouse, the keyboard gets shoved
off and I have a roughly 20" by 24" area over which
the mouse can move freely.

Every 3 months or so, I throw out the top sheet of
the blotter because of the gunk that's on the blotter
(but not on the mouse).

NPL

--
"It is impossible to make anything foolproof
because fools are so ingenious"
- A. Bloch

In article <never-2878A5.16312924092004[at]nntp0.pdx.net>,
clw <never[at]home.org> wrote:

> The set up I am considering is a new Kensington trackball (USB)
> connected to an Apple wireless keyboard then to the computer via
> Bluetooth. Will this work?

No. The wireless keyboard does not have USB connectors.

--
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry.

clw <never[at]home.org> wrote:

> I am considering a new iMac. My "set Up" computer desk houses the
> keyboard and mouse in a drawer with limited space. I am currently using
> an ADB keyboard and ADB Turbo Mouse connected to the computer via a
> Griffin iMate. I have no room for a mouse pad and a rolling mouse.
>
> The set up I am considering is a new Kensington trackball (USB)
> connected to an Apple wireless keyboard then to the computer via
> Bluetooth. Will this work?
>
> I know that Kensington make a wireless trackball, but I cannot find
> anything that says it connects via Bluetooth.
>
> Or, connecting my current Kensington Turbo Mouse via the iMate to an
> Apple wireless keyboard. could this work?
>

As others have already pointed out there are no USB ports on the BT
keyboard, however perhaps you are imagining that both keyboard and mouse
have to go through the same connection ... which is not the case. You
can have a wireless keyboard connected via Bluetooth and simultaneously
operate a cable connected USB mouse or trackball ... if that was
convenient. Though if you need a cable for the trackball you may as well
just use a USB keyboard also.

--
Adrian

In <never-2878A5.16312924092004[at]nntp0.pdx.net>
clw <never[at]home.org> wrote:

> I know that Kensington make a wireless trackball, but I cannot find
> anything that says it connects via Bluetooth.

If it doesn't use Bluetooth, but is wireless, it will connect with another
protocol such as RF or IR and come with its own base station for this
purpose.


--
Jennifer Mullen
redjen[at]psu.edu