Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] IBM eraser head mouse

[Mark Rages <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On 8/3/05, Hargus, Diana <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
> A friend does not believe IBM had the first mouse with an eraser head like
> the new mighty mouse.  I have one at home, but need to find a picture online
> to show her.  Any ideas?  Yes I googled it and got lots of places trying to
> sell me replacement eraser heads, even found one fellow going from the 2.4
> kernel to a 2.6 that had one (that suddenly stopped working after the
> upgrade).  Or the one I have at home is just a delusion...
> Thanks
> 
> Diana Lynn Hargus
> EMAIL:PROTECTED
> 573.751.5463
> Please note the new email address, Thank you!

It's called the "Trackpoint".  I've got a copy of the IBM patent at
home. (One of my side projects is to graft a bluetooth module into old
IBM Model M keyboards.  I have one of the rare Model M's with a
trackpoint.  And it's flat black.  Awesone keyboard.)

Philips made a microprocessor that was preprogrammed with the code to
run the trackpoint, which other laptop makers would buy and the patent
license was built into the price.  I guess they just license the tech
directly now.

When I was researching this project, I found some marketing material
announcing the trackpoint when it was first added to the Thinkpad.  It
was big news.

Here's the research group that invented the trackpoint:
http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/user/tp/tp.html

Regards,
Mark
EMAIL:PROTECTED
-- 
You think that it is a secret, but it never has been one.
  - fortune cookie

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