Alternative Mice: MousePen Pro and Thumbelina from Appoint

by Bob and Jackie Shanteau

Appoint manufactures several kinds of Microsoft compatible
mice for the PC, two of which are very handy for desktop use
and for presentations: the MousePen Pro and the Thumbelina.

We bought our MousePen Pro about a year ago when Bob saw an
advertisement for it and realized immediately that it was more
suited to our style of using a mouse than a customary mouse.
Bob has used the MousePen Pro at a couple of MBUG meetings. The
MousePen is shaped like a large pen, with a small ball under
the front end, two buttons on top, and a 9' long cord. You can
use it on a desktop or mouse pad, but the instructions suggested
using it on your leg. We tried it that way, and Bob found that
to be easiest for him, but Jackie had difficulties. Her hands
are small and the pen was too large for her to use comfortably.
The instructions also say that you can type with it in your
hand, but we found this not easy to do. Try typing while
holding a pencil and you'll see what I mean.

The MousePen Pro came with a cord that split soon after we
started using it. A couple of months ago, it became too flaky
to use so Bob called Appoint and asked about it. Right away
they sent us an improved cord, free! At the same time, Bob
asked about their Thumbelina. They agreed to send MBUG one in
return for a review.

The Thumbelina arrived last weekend. This is a palm sized box,
about 1-3/4" square and 3/4" deep. It has a small trackball in
the middle, a square button on the left and two round buttons
on the right. It also has a 9' cord coming out of the lower
left side. You can use it three ways: in your hand, in a
holder that attaches under the keybord, or attached
to the upper right or upper left corner of your keyboard with
velcro. We found using Thumbelina in our hands to be the most
practical.  We mounted our holder under the right side of the
keyboard and also found that to be handy. Putting the Thumbelina
in its holder keeps it out of the way but makes it easily avaialable
and allows us to use the keyboard freely. Attaching it to the
keyboard without the holder requires affixing velcro to the
back, which is uncomfortable in the hand.

Jackie took to the Thumbelina easily. She found Thumbelina
small enough that she could easily use her thumb to control
the trackball and reach the buttons. Bob found the Thumbelina
a little awkward for the first few days, but now finds it just
as convenient as the pen mouse. We only wish that the cord
stuck out above the Thumbelina. As it is, the cord points toward
your wrist, which makes it a little awkward.

The suggested retail price for the MousePen Pro and the Thumbelina
is $99.  Street price is about $70. Both come with PS/2 connectors
and adaptors for DB9 serial connectors. 1 year warranty, $25
replacement charge after that.

Appoint
4473 Willow Road
Pleasanton, CA  94566
1-800-448-1184