Mousepads -- antiquated?

[Smellincoffee]

Last week the local library received replacements for its aging computers in the lab, and we shut down for a few hours to move the old ones out and the new ones in. I noted that there were no mousepads for the new mice, and was promptly told by the men responsible for hooking up the computers to the network (guys from a local university who delivered the machines) that these mice didn't need mousepads. There's nothing remarkable about the mice: they plug in to the computer via USB and use laser tracking. I wondered to myself if mousepads were just a leftover accessory from the days of manual mice, which protected the little ball and made using it easier. Is this the case?

Even if it is, I think I'll continue using mousepads. I find them more comfortable than a bare desk, and I rather like changing mousepads every once in a while when the old one grows tattered.

 

[emzie]

God, I haven't used a mouse pad in a decade I imagine.

 

[Samez]

If your desk is made of glass you should in any way use a mouse pad when using an optical mouse.
Personally I use an optical mouse which works fine on most surfaces. It did even work well the one time I used it on the carpet.

 

[illram]

Some surfaces do not track the laser very well. I use a pad at work mainly for the wrist bumper.

 

[Cutlass]

Laser mice work well without a mousepad on most surfaces. Only if it doesn't work on that surface would a par even occur to me.

 

[Turner]

I use one at home, my couch's material doesn't reflect the laser too well. Better tracking with the mousepad.

Don't need it at work.

 

[Pacioli]

Quiet please! I'm still using a mouse pad at both work and home since I do not like to sound of the mouse rolling across a hard surface.

 

[GenMarshall]

I still use the gel pad from my old mouse pad as a writs rest. But I don't use a pad for my laser mouse.

 

[Yoda Power]

I don't even use a mouse.

 

[Bowsling]

I have some "Couch Runner" wireless mouse for my laptop. It works beautifully. No mousepad.

 

[classical_hero]

When my old machine died and I got this one, it came with a mousepad and used it for fun and then I realised not using a mousepad was so much easier.

 

[Padma]

Some surfaces do not track the laser very well. I use a pad at work mainly for the wrist bumper.

This.

Although, when I use my laptop (either home or work), I just use the trackpad on it.

 

[shadowplay]

Some surfaces do not track the laser very well.

Besides this, they can also scratch up and damage some surfaces. The table in the office upstairs is all scratched to hell from lack of mousepad.

 

[Maniacal]

Its easier to keep the smoothside of my mouse pad clean than my desk, also the gel wrist pad is awesome.

 

[innonimatu]

You know your optical mice pad is antiquated when it has a grid on it!

But really, I don't see people using pads any more.

 

[Disgustipated]

I still have mine, it's getting kind of yucky, time to buy a new one. I use the wrist pad type mouse pad. Although I'm not sure how useful that wrist pad is, I still have carpal tunnel issues. I'm thinking maybe I should try using without the mouse pad.

 

[Joecoolyo]

I use one just because it makes my mouse really quiet.

Running it across my desk is really noisy for some reason.

 

[Zelig]

Wrist rests are bad ergonomics, don't use them.

I use a mousepad for lower-friction than my desk. Also, it keeps me desk from getting worn.

 

[Disgustipated]

How are wrist pads bad ergonomics?

 

[Zelig]

How are wrist pads bad ergonomics?

To be specific, they're bad to use while typing/mousing.

Microsoft Hardware - Healthy Computer Guide

"Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any type of surface while typing (see detail 7). The palm rest, if provided, should only be used during breaks from typing."

United States Department of Labor - Wrist/Palm Supports

"Your hands should move freely and be elevated above the wrist/palm rest while typing. When resting, the pad should contact the heel or palm of your hand, not your wrist."

ergocanada

Read that link, they explain the mechanics.