Silent mouse - is there such a thing?

[comradec]

Does anyone know of a commercially available computer mouse that doesn't actually click? I mean one that works, obviously.

I quite like to browse the web while my partner is watching tedious programmes on the telly but she finds the mouse-clicking annoying.

Is there such a thing as a silent, or near silent, mouse? I imagine it could be quite useful in home recording situations too.

I've looked around for something along these lines and seen the
occasional mention on the web, but further investigation has never led
to a link where these elusive products can still be bought. It seems
that people have had the idea before, but rarely, if ever, managed to
sustain commercial production.

Regards,

Steve Cooke
www.facebook.com/people/Steve_Cooke/691988218

[Bob Moose]

perhaps a trackpad will do it

[James Percival]

Have you considered a Wacom tablet? I don't know any musicians who use them, but they strike me as being rather quiet!

Wacom make a range of surprisingly cheap, small tablets called Bamboo. Tons of people sell them on eBay.

[Temp]

Something along the lines of a laptop ribbon-esque controller would do it. The ones where a double-tap is the same as a left mouse click.

I too had the silent mouse invention bulb light up a few years back but alas, no capital, man.

Cheers.

[Grantsos]

Only problem with trackpads is: they use an "absolute" positioning system. When you run out of mouse mat space, you pick the mouse up and reposition to drag the cursor further accros the screen.
With a tablet, you have to be in exactly the right position on the pad. It's a different feel, and for me it was a little weird... For drawing though, they rock - I sometimes use them to redraw or reshape occasional spikes and noises in waveform editors.
For silent mouse buttons though, I s'pose you'd have to test a bunch out in a shop - all the microswitches I know of click, so a lot will be to do with the design of the housing...
Or you could get all nerdy - rip out the switches and build simple small bendy-metal contacts. LOL.
There are normally posts from the mouse button to the top of the switch too, if you shorten than and place/glue some softish poylmer on the end of the post (or the switch button) that may reduce the level of transmitted sound.
Boy, I have too much time on my hands today...

[Dale Campbell]

Only problem with trackpads is: they use an "absolute" positioning system. When you run out of mouse mat space, you pick the mouse up and reposition to drag the cursor further accros the screen.
With a tablet, you have to be in exactly the right position on the pad.

Can't speak for all tablets out there but it certainly isn't the case with most - just go into the tablets settings and then change it from pen (absolute) to mouse mode and thats it.

That said I like the absolute positioning - less dragging around the screen and it takes maybe a week tops to get used to it.
On an unrelated note I find using the pen is much better on wrists than hours with a mouse also I tend not to keep my hand on the tablet so much as it is easy and natural to lift it away holding the pen.

As for click the old wacom graphire I am using is fairly quiet but you can set a double click just by tapping the tip twice on the tablet.

[IvanSC]

buy the selfish £$*%&*&££ some headphones.

I mean, really! MOUSE clicks spoil enjoyment of the old toot that is on tv currently?
Puh-leeez!

[Damcat74]

+1 for the headphones. I mean, the mouse is allright, not broken or anything, the problem to solve is somewhere else. New partener maybe? Move the telly to a smaller room, perhaps?.

[DRUMZ]

I started laughing when I read this and someone said what I was thinking it's a mouse click!? what about when you're typing? some say get her headphones that's to expensive tell her to turn up the Television(it's cheaper).You must be whipped.LOL

[comradec]

I started laughing when I read this and someone said what I was thinking it's a mouse click!? what about when you're typing? some say get her headphones that's to expensive tell her to turn up the Television(it's cheaper).You must be whipped.LOL

So there appears to be a general consensus that I'm trying to find a technical solution to someone being totally unreasonable, right?

[A Non O Miss]

I would say if a mouse click is that big of an irritant then there must be some other problem going on. Doesn't have to be with you, but obviously she, I am assuming she so forgive me if I am wrong, is wound way too tight. Stressed out, easily angered and not in a healthy state of mind. I know when something that minute bothers me it is because something else is jabbing at me and making my temper short and making my judgment and ability to cope with stuff poor and that allows stuff to bother me that normally shouldn't. It took a lot of work but I was able to acquire the Zen so ish like this just floats on by. One quick easy way to do it is to get some weed and bake her out, surely then the mouse click will be the least of her worries

[DRUMZ]

Right she's being totally unresonable like A Non said their is something else maybe(could be a control freak).I think you didn't stretch her,as in do something that's left field and let her live with it.You're maybe to predictable to her now,you've put in you're time with her and getting silly over nonsense you're walking on eggshells with her.What's next tapping on cotton balls will get her P.O'd.PLEASE!!.She's not gonna leave cause she has it good.Stop trying to please her and do you.You know what one difference between men and women is,if they call us an A**hole we can deal with it cause maybe we were acting like one.If anyone calls them a B**** they get upset,they're not being honest about themselves.If you're acting like that for that moment then you are that for that moment. ;)PEACE

[Dale Campbell]

I personally feel that Paul Whites Leader column is getting a bit behind the times. We should petition to have it replaced with a relationship advice/agony aunt column (Paul could still write it of course).
And perhaps the following month readers answers could be printed maybe with a synopsis of the advice by Hugh?

Its a winner I think.

[Damcat74]

I started laughing when I read this and someone said what I was thinking it's a mouse click!? what about when you're typing? some say get her headphones that's to expensive tell her to turn up the Television(it's cheaper).You must be whipped.LOL

So there appears to be a general consensus that I'm trying to find a technical solution to someone being totally unreasonable, right?

Look, first thing, I don't want to start a marital fight, so apologies for joking about it before, but in all honesty, mouse cliks are not that loud.

[dubbmann]

buy the selfish £$*%&*&££ some headphones.

I mean, really! MOUSE clicks spoil enjoyment of the old toot that is on tv currently?
Puh-leeez!

LOLROTF, ivan as usual you cut to the chase. my thoughts exactly. personally, i feel sorry for the op, if my spouse were complaining over this i'd be incredulous. good thing i'm not married...

d

[IvanSC]

My cumulsative years of married bliss, totting up all the assorted Mrs. Terribles, tops 40.
Trust me.
I have not only been there, got the T shirt, etc., I also bear the scars.

P.S. The current incumbent has me so [ ****** ] scared, I would frankly nod dumbly, look at the carpet and say "anything you say, dear".
But on here I can be as brave as I wish I really was. (biiig shiteating grin)

Just got called to the table, so gotta go.

[_Nuno_]

This mouse is supposed to be silent, according to on-line reviews. It's very expensive but probably worth the price in order to avoid trouble at home. I'm not sure it's available in Europe though.

[Agharta]

If I’m watching TV and my other half is clicking away on a mouse on a regular occasion it would bug me especially if it’s in the lounge or bedroom. I know it’s not that loud but it can still be too loud if you’re trying to relax and enjoy TV or something else. Keep PCs in the study I say.

[IvanSC]

but you don`t mind having a telly in the bedroom and keeping him/her awake when they are trying to sleep? (grin)

[Sosabba]

If anyone does manage to locate a retailer who does the Thanko linked to above (or any other silent mouse), I'd be interested to know as well. Not because of the GF, but I can definiteyly see the advantage of a silent mouse in the studio.

CHeers

Max

[Agharta]

Not because of the GF, but I can definiteyly see the advantage of a silent mouse in the studio.

For the people that suggested that his GF was being unreasonable, if the tables were turned and you were making music on your PC and the GF was making a small amount of noise that was distracting you I expect you’d ask her to be quieter without thinking you were being unreasonable. It works both ways fellows otherwise you end up with..

[Martin Walker]

If anyone does manage to locate a retailer who does the Thanko linked to above (or any other silent mouse), I'd be interested to know as well. Not because of the GF, but I can definiteyly see the advantage of a silent mouse in the studio.

If you fancy a little DIY you could do worse than following this set of instructions:

http://www.abclinuxu.cz/blog/hajma/2005/3/23/81023

Martin

[DRUMZ]

Not because of the GF, but I can definiteyly see the advantage of a silent mouse in the studio.

For the people that suggested that his GF was being unreasonable, if the tables were turned and you were making music on your PC and the GF was making a small amount of noise that was distracting you I expect you’d ask her to be quieter without thinking you were being unreasonable. It works both ways fellows otherwise you end up with..

Question what is so creative about watching TV?
Knock a guy out?What real woman would put herself with a guy she can beat up?LOL Anyways she ain't complaining when she's dancing to the music and/or a cheque comes in.I'm pretty sure she knew the deal before she got into it.

[Agharta]

Question what is so creative about watching TV?

I was expecting this sort of response from someone judging by the tone of some of the replies. It’s a classic egocentric viewpoint which says that what I do is more important than what you do and has to justify itself by belittling the other person’s pastime.

[IvanSC]

Question what is so creative about watching TV?

I was expecting this sort of response from someone judging by the tone of some of the replies. It’s a classic egocentric viewpoint which says that what I do is more important than what you do and has to justify itself by belittling the other person’s pastime.

So how do you feel about my comment on televisions in the bedroom?
That is either a solution or yet another problem, of course.