Pointing device

A pointing device is an input device for controlling a graphical user interface. They are usually used to move a pointer icon on the screen.

The most common pointing device is the mouse. She is very flexible, since in general no special support is needed. It is the relative movement of the mouse was measured. Technically very similar to the mouse works a trackball. Today is barely used the light pen that is moved directly on the screen. By design, however, the light pen only works with CRT monitors. A graphics tablet can be operated with a magnifying glass or a pen. So you can practically like drawing on paper with a pen, the absolute position is registered on the tablet. A track or touchpad and the trackpoint is operated with a fingertip and often built into notebooks. The Cyber ​​Puck is an input tool for CAD systems, which allows three-dimensional movements. Newer devices often leave the operation directly on the screen, either as usual mouse pointer is moved with the finger or a stylus on the screen, or by using the mouse pointer is eliminated and with fingers or stylus held a direct operation. See also touchscreen.

History

Until the 1980s, keyboards were used as input devices, almost without exception. Pointing devices were required only in the wake of operating systems with graphical user interfaces such as MS- DOS 4.0, Microsoft Windows, and computers such as the Macintosh, the Amiga and the Atari ST computers. Previously found even joysticks and paddles in the context of computer games wider use.

While paddles and light pens have almost disappeared today, next to a mouse, trackball and joystick especially gamepads have established.

Touchpad play a role especially in notebooks, because they can be installed to save space.