Summery: The GentleMouse simulates mouse
clicks without the push of a button. No, it's not a new mouse--it's software, and one of
the most intriguing ergonomic tools we've used.
Let's hope that the toll we put on our bodies from
excessive computer use will somehow evolve our DNA, making future generations more
resistant to computer-related injuries. Until then, RSI and arthritis are potentially big
bummers. They are threats to anyone who uses a computer daily, and they're obviously worse
for people already suffering from them. Investing in an ergonomic mouse or keyboard is a
step in the right direction, but what about investing in ergonomic software?
Today we investigate GentleMouse, which approaches
ergonomics from a different angle: It lets you use any mouse without the need to click it.
No, we're not talking about mind-control, and it does sound a bit awkward at first, even a
little gimmicky. But in practice, GentleMouse lets you perform everyday mouse commands
simply by making small movements of the cursor over well-placed menu commands.
How does it work?
The software activates and picks up the cue to click the
mouse when the cursor pauses, like when a user wants to click a link. For that brief
second while you hover over a link, a small transparent window pops up and displays a list
of common click commands. You can select a command simply by moving the cursor over that
desired command, and by pausing the cursor again, the software selects that command for
you. So executing a click command requires two mouse pauses, one to bring up the window of
commands, the second to actually choose which command you want when you hover over it.
Sounds a bit tedious, doesn't it?
Well, it will add a delay every time you want to execute a
click command, but this delay will lessen after you adjust to the software and tinker with
the click speed. And the idea isn't to be as fast, but to be healthier for you. Computer
users can click a mouse up to a thousand times on a full day, which in the long run can
contribute to such ailments like RSI and arthritis. Having software that lets you use a
mouse without having to click it can be beneficial to those already with problems in their
hand, or to those who are seeking preventive measures against clicking-related injuries.
Is this the beginning of the end of clicking the mouse?
GentleMouse hopes so. We'll dig a bit deeper into
GentleMouse, record our experiences, and give you the low-down on whether or not this
piece of software is worth $40.
GentleMouse is so far available only to Windows
users--excluding Vista. Mac users can expect to see something available later this year.
Software of this nature is similar to the MouseTool, which came and went in the late 90s.
(It's since been rechristened Nib).
Since software like GentleMouse is unfamiliar to most
users, there are practice levels you can begin with to slowly adjust to the software. You
can also view a video tutorial to see it in use. There are two practice levels to choose
from in the primary GentleMouse settings window. This drop-down menu also reveals default
settings, sample settings, and custom settings if you create any.
The practice settings get you started on basic commands:
left-, right-, and double-click. These are displayed in the main Trigger Window. The main
Trigger Window is this pop-up window that includes the list of commands when you pause the
cursor for the first time.
The difference between Practice Level 1 and Practice Level
2 is how fast a click command is executed when you stop the cursor. Practice Level 1 will
allow slightly less than a second to pass before bringing up the Trigger Window, and the
same amount of time before actually clicking a command when you roll over one of the
choices. Once you get the hang of things, you can jump over to Practice Level 2 to speed
up this click command.
The software marks your click location by attaching a red
triangle to the tip of your cursor when the cursor stops. When you select a command, the
cursor jumps back to the triangle instantly to register a click on that same location.
Once you have a good idea of how to use GentleMouse, you
can get started with the Default setting, which provides you with more basic commands
while maintaining a quicker click speed.
A common command with mice is to execute a click-hold (or
press) command, such as when highlighting text or using a scroll bar arrow. With
GentleMouse, selecting the press command will bring up another Trigger Window for more
options--copy, paste, cut, and release. If you were using a scroll bar, you would, for
instance, select release after holding on the arrow at the end of the scroll bar. If you
selected text, you can copy it.
Alternate View Window If the cursor is positioned on the
side of the screen, the Trigger Window won't have enough space to display its list of
commands. GentleMouse fixes this issue a couple of ways. One is by automatically drawing a
border cushion around your active program to allow more space for the Trigger Window to
display. The other is by having an alternate Trigger Window with the same list of commands
display on the opposite side of the cursor that you can also roll over.
GentleMouse Options After enough practice, you'll grow out
of using basic click commands. GentleMouse Options will provide more than enough
horsepower to add a variety of click commands as well as present you with ways to
completely retool how you use the software. There are three tabs to choose from, which
open doors to adjusting the size and the appearance of the Trigger Menu, changing the
"click" speed, adding or repositioning commands within the Trigger Window, and
so forth. Going into detail for each option would be tedious, so we'll discuss the more
important ones.
The second tab allows users to add more click options to
the Trigger Window or even reposition the window or change its appearance. By clicking the
"select" button next to the Trigger Window option, you can select among eight
regular Trigger Window commands and six Release Trigger Window commands. Doing so will
display the settings of that particular position on the screen's list of options from
which you can apply settings to. You would then select a command for that window.
This is also how you can reposition an existing command
from within the Trigger Window. Let's say you want to reposition the double-click command.
You can reposition it anywhere within the main Trigger Window--say, above the single-click
command. Continued... Using a mouse without ever having to click it sounds a bit like a
paradox, right? Not so. The GentleMouse software is as easy as it looks, with a learning
curve as straight as an arrow. We admit that we had to use the practice settings at first
to acclimate to the software, but it required almost no effort, no frustration.
The key to transitioning from clicking a mouse to not
clicking a mouse requires taking baby steps: Stick with the most basic commands and start
with a slow trigger setting (the time it takes for the software to bring up the Trigger
Window when the cursor stops and the time it takes for the cursor to click when it stops).
Once we got used to the process, we jumped over to the default settings and started using
more advanced commands like "hold" and "release"--even for cut and
paste commands. You can keep the GentleMouse paper cheat sheet nearby while adjusting to
the software.
After becoming quite satisfied of our progress in just a
short amount of time, we demanded more power. One of the options we added to our arsenal
was that beloved triple click, which is useful for selecting a line or body of text. This
is done by opening the GentleMouse options and configuring the Trigger Menu, discussed on
the last page.
Learning to use the software, as mentioned already, is
easy; however, you'll still have to get used to a few things. For starters, it takes a
great deal of patience and discipline to use the software every day. Many of us have been
clicking a mouse for decades, so it's become second nature. Hovering over a link and not
physically clicking it is something you'll have to resist (the software doesn't take away
the click function). You'll have to get used to that delay, which depends how fast your
click setting is.
Another thing you'll have to get used to is that pesky
Trigger Window poping up when you have no intention to click anything. Now that little red
triangle will always appear when you stop the cursor, which isn't annoying, but when you
nudge the cursor towards the Trigger Window, which brings it up, you may roll over the
window by mistake, even if you just want to move the cursor. Worse yet, if you actually
hover over a link without any intention of clicking it, you may accidentally roll over the
Trigger Window and click the link. Again, after using the software for a longer period,
these little quirks will likely subside, but you may still run into them from time to
time. Having a faster click speed will also increase these subtle quirks.
The problem associated with ergonomic peripherals is that
they inhibit you from using certain programs. Some ergonomic mice and keyboards aren't
suitable for gaming, and GentleMouse isn't either. But that's no surprise. It's also a bit
tricky to use when using a graphics application. Drawing an image, say with a paintbrush
tool, exposes the weakness of having to move the cursor and extra deal in order to
activate certain click commands. When drawing, you may draw unwanted lines because the
paintbrush follows your cursor around until you release the hold command.
Keep in mind that GentleMouse doesn't disable your mouse's
ability to click. So in some applications, you might have to resort to that old fashioned
method of pressing on those mouse buttons. Continued... GentleMouse introduces another way
users can enhance their computer environment with improved ergonomics. Only this time,
we're not talking about an actual mouse, but software. We were pleased with its intuitive
interface, execution, and software options. There's a pair of practice settings to get you
started, and it took us less than a day to get used to the software. We're not saying that
our clicking days are over, but if they were, this software wouldn't let us down.
GentleMouse is far from perfect, however. While it does
precisely what it advertises, GentleMouse cannot overcome issues in certain apps where
clicking a mouse is essential, such as when gaming or designing graphics. The software
will also add to the time it takes to execute click commands because of the extra step or
two it requires. And if you have a quick click speed, you'll likely have the issue of the
Trigger Window pop up unwillingly. These are things you'll have to get used to, and with
practice, they can be avoided or reduced.
Read about our favorite ergonomic mouse, the Zero Tension
Mouse.
Despite some of these imperfections, it really boils down
to ergonomics. Are you willing to devote the time and effort to use GentleMouse for the
sake of improving the computer experience? We think it is worth it, even for those already
with RSI or clicking-related injuries.
You can try it for free with a 15-day trial period. That's
more than enough time to adjust to the software and discover its benefits and quirks. We
feel it's well worth the try, and even worth the $40 if you decide to keep it.
Product: GentleMouse
Company: Gentle Computing
Price: $39.95
Pros: Easily execute click commands without clicking the mouse; great software options;
practice levels easy to use.
Cons: Not ideal in all apps; might require more effort to use compared with actually
clicking; Trigger Window can pop up unwillingly.
Summary: GentleMouse's little quirks don't outweigh the software's execution and benefits.
It does precisely what it's supposed to do, and users can tweak the software to their
liking. It's worth trying out, at least.
Copyright 2007 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved |
