How do optical mice work?

[WIllROP]

I recently purchased a Microsoft intellimouse and I was wondering, how do they work? What exactly is the purpose of the laser and are they better than standard mice?

[YODA74]

Here's a link to what you ask http://www.howstuffworks.com/question631.htm

sounds a lot like a school question so all i can give is a link
good luck

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[Paleo Pete]

Sorry Yoda, but I have to disagree. Someone buys a new component they're not familiar with, it should be understandable they might want to know how it works.

I'm not sure about the newer optical mice, but the older ones used a metal mouse pad with a grid etched into it. The laser would reflect off the metal grid and sense where it was in relation to a 0,0 coordinate which would be usually at the top left of the grid. As you move the mouse it would read the grid to tell how far in each direction, horizontally and vertically, it had moved and move the cursor accordingly.

As far as being better than standard mice I'm not sure, but an optical mouse has no mechanical parts to wear out, so that would be an advantage.

Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/01q4/011026/) has a good article that explains that the newer mice use a type of technology that takes "snapshots" of the surface under the mouse and compares them to each other to obtain an accurate position.

Google (http://www.google.com) is a good search engine to find more info.

With a few minutes of searching I've found and read a few reviews of the newer Logitech Opticals that mostly claimed it was a very good mouse. The two issues that was pointed out were
1. some have problems with white surfaces, and
2. fast movement sometimes results in the pointer stopping somewhere off center of the screen. This seems to be really fast "twitching" movement that should not be a problem with normal use.

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Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[iisbob]

How do optical mice work?

MOST EXCELLANT!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

And i agree with Pete on this-no more of this silly " i won't help with a homework question " bull. Did you ever consider that their homework [directed them here?!

If i { or other guru's} had that same attitude then a majority of questions here would never get answered and people would stop coming here to learn. And even though there are a lot of things i know about-i still occasionally learn something new, that's what makes these forums so precious.

So please don't patronize the individuals who come here with questions-true; they'll never learn anything if you give them all the answers, but maybe by showing you're willing to help them you'll encourage their thirst for more and they'll take the inititave to go out and learn more.

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[YODA74]

Well Bob I gave the man /women? a link that was a correct link.
I was just following every one else's lead to when it comes to answering questions that sound like homework.as a matter of fact take a look http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000013.html

I gave the person my rendition of an answer if that is not up to Your expectations then i do not know what to tell you.I did not see where you gave this person Your link or Guru information.On how optical mice work.Pete had all ready corrected me on this and it should have been left at that.You may not like me but I am Not going anywhere.Now I will say that bassman and i had words once before and we straightened them out in a proper fashion That is why i leave my addy posted. we did not do this in public.So I guess when you become moderator
you can set policy.

Paleo Pete
Moderator
Grand Master Geek


Posts: 2845
From:Third rock from the Sun
Registered: Sep 2000
Posted 05-03-2001 09:27 AM
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Beno:
1. Please watch the language.

2. Try your local library or school library.

3. These people don't normally answer homework type questions at all, so consider yourself lucky, they seem to be trying to help you, apparently since you stated that your books do not go into sufficient detail. Spitting back indignant replies probably will not encourage most of them to try much harder.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links

IP: Logged

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)


[This message has been edited by YODA74 (edited 12-08-2001).]

[iisbob]

First off i didn't threaten you, nor was i rude to you-i simply stated that this idiotic " do your homework " first attitude you've ( and others ) have displayed is inappropiate to this forum and the people who frequent here.

There is no call for you to attack me without any reasonable arguement on your behalf.

I did not post any links or explanantions simply because i felt that Pete had covered it quite well; and i never intoned or even suggested wether i " liked " or disliked " you-all the postings i've seen you do; wether you displayed a knowledge of the subject or not-was done with at least a care to pointing the person towrds the proper information as you understand it. Thatr's commendable. However i strongly object to the berating you've given people because you " thought " they were doing homework. That is not your decision to make, if you feel that way then don't post.

Personal attacks on individuals here display a lack of maturity and discipline; i should know-Pete's had to have words with me before. I've come from a long line of other forums which derailed into flame wars; and i gave as good as i got-i { and everyone else here} DO NOT want this to happen to this forum also.


This was not a personal attack on you, it was simply a plea to the forum as a whole to recall that this is a forum-an open arena for the discussion and dissemenation of idea's/facts. Regardless of the circumstances { ie., homework or simple curiosity }.






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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 12-08-2001).]

[YODA74]

then direct your responce to the whole of the forum, seems that Pete and I were the only one's that had responded what would you have one to think,other than it was an attack. And i further more never said that this was my decision if you would slow down and read I pointed out that I was just following everyone else's lead as to it sounding like homework especially when i look at profiles and see (student) under ocupation.I do not mind answering any question from anyone.I had just took it as policy from reading other peoples posts regarding some questions that sounded like homework.Nuff Said

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[iisbob]

Good suggestion, i'll make a new post for this-just don't jump on someone in the future because you feel you've been attacked. I selected you in this thread simply because you were in this thread and in most posts i've seen with someones possible " homework " question you seemed to be the pack leader in smacking them down for displaying curiosity.

..Nuff said..



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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[iisbob]

dblepost

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[YODA74]

I selected you in this thread simply because you were in this thread and in most posts i've seen with someones possible " homework " question you seemed to be the pack leader in smacking them down for displaying curiosity.

quote:

Who in the Hell do YOU think you are Bob Chastising me You by your statement did attack me and i do not smack anyone down. You started this
I would suggest you stay out of my face

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[iisbob]

Leave it be yoda.

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[Paul Komski]

"Watch children play - experimenters all"
"Watch adults decay - if they know it all"

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul

[iisbob]

very nicely said Paul-consider me chastised. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[YODA74]

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 12-08-2001).]

[iisbob]

Obscene gesture icon edited...no more of that please

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 12-08-2001).]

[Paul Komski]

LOL LOL Just having a bit of fun.

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul

[Donna]

I just had to say something here, isabob your one of the reasons I dont ask questions here. I just read, whats already here and hope that someone else has had the same problem. well I ask some questions but not many.


Personal attacks on individuals here display a lack of maturity and discipline

Isn't that what you just did?

Guess i just did it too, but geeze your first comment to Yoda was uncalled for since the site moderator already said something.



[This message has been edited by Donna (edited 12-08-2001).]

[ranchdog]

Easy Folks.

We all wake up with a case of PMS once in a while.

Let's let it drop.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[iisbob]

i already tried to explain to yoda that it wasn't a personal attack on him, yet he persisted in attacking me.

For the record i'll bury the AX and apologize to Yoda.

I'm sorry Yoda.

As for your issue Donna; what did i ever say or do to you? I've never spoken too or at you as far as i know. Did you post a question and i answered it rudely? If so i'm sorry, but i really don't recall ever havng seen you in a post. If you have an issue with me for some reason don't let it stop you from offering help or advice in the forums.

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[Donna]

I'll email you and tell ya. That was mighty big of you to appologize.

Things like this tend to scare us Forum newbies away. I was told by a freind to try and not be offened by some things that are said in a forum, that people who use them all the time get jaded. But it is still a little scary when you see people who help/talkwith each othe on a board regulary fight with each other. Just my opinion, and I'm not saying it is always done here. For the most part this is a great board. I read it all the time.

I guess that sometimes what you read and what someone is trying to say are two different things.

K, I just reread that, I and didnt mean you fight regularly, I meant you talk regulary.

[This message has been edited by Donna (edited 12-08-2001).]

[fixrupr]

"Men have become the tools of their tools. "
-----Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)---

[Paul Komski]

I guess that sometimes what you read and what someone is trying to say are two different things.


Donna your are so spot on! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif The same thing said with a different voice means a quite different thing; the written word looks the same each time and - what I inferred and you intended are not always in sync (even with people who know each other well).

One of the great "dangers" of sarcasm is that the recipient may believe it to be true; i.e. they didn't realise it WAS sarcasm! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul

[sea69]

lol Paul (you instigating old flamer)..

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

stop stirin' peeps up.

Please remember people- This is the written word- which improperly or without great care can seem much more callous and harsh than intended.

(just like my above joke at Pauls expense)

Pete is the peace officer in these here parts- as well as the judge, jury and executioner.. heh

and a brillant job he does (especially on his 24kbps connection) LoL

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

heh

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 12-09-2001).]

[sea69]

to ad to my above post:

In my opinion, I personally do not give exact answers to obvious homework questions here.

The thinking behind this was originated from my learning curve here.

I will assist anyone that asks a question (if I am inclined) homework or not. However- generally I will NOT do someones homework for them.


In my opinion that is cheating to say the least and defeats the purpose of them having homework to begin with.

TO LEARN.

I think YODA was just following what he saw here from before/since he joined.

I did not consider this topic/question to be a homework one.

I also think it was cool that iisbob took the high road and appoligized here in print for any misunderstandings.

Donna - please do NOT allow ANYONE to EVER prevent you from feeling comfortable about posting here.

I can tell you, I watched this site/forums for a while before I actually started participating.. and it is a growing experience.

Donna, your post makes me hope that I have not made anyone feel as you described!

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 12-09-2001).]

[Paul Komski]

Nice one Sea; but what are Peeps (http://geekbabe.com/peeps/peepfaq.html)? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

But on a more related and serious note (i.e. related to the original post) the funny thing is that the very day before, I had spent an hour surfin trying to find out about Lasers. I can get my head round the L, A, S, E and R of them but I just can't understand how the light coheres/doesn't diffuse. Its something to do with a sort of polarisation of the photons or E-M Radiation and if anyone knows the answer or knows of a source that can explain this without an understanding of quantum therory it would help me greatly with MY homework! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif


[This message has been edited by Paul Komski (edited 12-09-2001).]

[Whyzman]

Paul,

Have you tried looking HERE (http://www.howstuffworks.com/laser.htm) for your answers?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman



[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 12-09-2001).]

[bassman]

Has anyone seen WIllROP??? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

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Please go HERE (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000225.html)

[Paul Komski]

Thanks Whyzman. Quite a useful site (but a lot of popups) and one that maybe WIllROP - "are you still there?" - could find useful too.

Didn't answer my question so I included the following in an eMail to the author:
I like your explanations in HowStuffWorks(Lasers) but do have difficulty with: "The light released is coherent. The light is “organized” and each photon moves in step with the others. This means that all of the photons have wave fronts that launch in unison".

Would it be possible to explain in greater detail how coherence/"organisation" occurs or point me to a source that would elaborate-on this (but not elaborate-on it to the point of needing to understand quantum mechanics)!

I have presumed that on the initial excitation/production of specific-colour-photons that they are emitted randomly in all directions and that the majority are "lost" (i.e. those that are not directed at the mirrors). If that is so then there would only be a small percentage that would strike the mirrors at the correct incidence to be reflected straight back. Then, those that are in the "correct path" somehow stimulate more photons to be released in the same direction and, with the incomplete silvering on one mirror, this allows a uni-directional cascade to occur.

If I have got that bit right then what I really want to be able to understand (really get my head round) is how one photon always releases other photons in the lasing medium unidirectionally.

This has been "bugging" me for a long time and I had always assumed that there must be a specific property of Laser light which kept the light from diffusing; i.e. that made it cohere in the "sticky" sense. If the reason for the non-diffusion is something else and that it is actually related to the laser light source, then the term coherence has been helping to confuse me.

How does this work?! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif Someday I'll know. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul

[Paul Komski]

D--N DoublePosted.

[This message has been edited by Paul Komski (edited 12-10-2001).]