Editing Pointing device (section)

=== Motion-tracking pointing devices ===

==== Mouse ====
{{Main|Computer mouse}}
A mouse is a small handheld device pushed over a horizontal surface.

A mouse moves the graphical pointer by being slid across a smooth surface. The conventional roller-ball mouse uses a ball to create this action: the ball is in contact with two small shafts that are set at right angles to each other. As the ball moves these shafts rotate, and the rotation is measured by sensors within the mouse. The distance and direction information from the sensors is then transmitted to the computer, and the computer moves the graphical pointer on the screen by following the movements of the mouse. Another common mouse is the optical mouse. This device is very similar to the conventional mouse but uses visible or infrared light instead of a roller-ball to detect the changes in position.<ref>{{FOLDOC|mouse|new=yes}}</ref>
Additionally there is the [[mini-mouse]], which is a small egg-sized mouse for use with [[laptop computer]]s; usually small enough for use on a free area of the laptop body itself, it is typically [[Mouse (computing)#Optical and laser mice|optical]], includes a [[retractable cord]] and uses a [[USB]] port to save battery life.

==== Trackball ====
{{Main|Trackball}} 
A [[trackball]] is a pointing device consisting of a ball housed in a socket containing sensors to detect rotation of the ball about two axis, similar to an upside-down mouse: as the user rolls the ball with a thumb, fingers, or palm the pointer on the screen will also move. Tracker balls are commonly used on CAD workstations for ease of use, where there may be no desk space on which to use a mouse. Some are able to clip onto the side of the keyboard and have buttons with the same functionality as mouse buttons.<ref>{{FOLDOC|tracker+ball|new=yes}}</ref> There are also wireless trackballs which offer a wider range of ergonomic positions to the user.

==== Joystick ====
{{Main|Joystick}} 
Isotonic joysticks are handle sticks where the user can freely change the position of the stick, with more or less constant force.

Isometric joysticks are where the user controls the stick by varying the amount of force they push with, and the position of the stick remains more or less constant. Isometric joysticks are often cited as more difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback provided by an actual moving joystick.

{{see also|Analog stick}}

==== Pointing stick ====
{{Main|Pointing stick}}
A [[pointing stick]] is a pressure-sensitive small nub used like a joystick. It is usually found on laptops embedded between the ''G'', ''H'', and ''B'' keys. It operates by sensing the force applied by the user. The corresponding "mouse" buttons are commonly placed just below the [[space bar]]. It is also found on mice and some desktop keyboards.

==== Wii Remote ====
{{Main|Wii Remote}}
The Wii Remote, also known colloquially as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and optical sensor technology.

==== Finger tracking ====
A [[finger tracking]] device tracks fingers in the 3D space or close to the surface without contact with a screen. Fingers are triangulated by technologies like stereo camera, time-of-flight and laser. Good examples of finger tracking pointing devices are [[LM3LABS]]' Ubiq'window and [http://2.lm3labs.com/technologies-2/airstrike/ AirStrike]