Using Mouse-Trak Trackballs

A Mouse-Trak trackball is an alternative to the standard mouse. Mouse-Trak trackballs include a large ball, plus three large buttons, a smaller "speed button", and a palm rest. Some computer users prefer trackballs over mice, including persons with mobility impairments and persons with injuries that make mouse use difficult. Mouse-Trak trackballs are installed throughout campus, on Windows, Unix and Mac workstations. Some workstations have both a trackball and a standard mouse, so users can use whichever pointing device they prefer.

Using a Mouse-Track Trackball
By default, the Mouse-Track trackballs are installed with the following settings:

Left and right buttons perform the same functions as left and right buttons on a mouse.
The middle button is set to "click and drag". To use it, simply point to the object you would like to drag, click the middle button, roll the ball until the object is in the desired location, then click the middle button again to release.
The small speed button is a toggle that controls the speed of the cursor on the screen.

It is possible that other users may have changed the above settings. To change them back, or to modify the settings to meet your individual needs, it is necessary to "chord" buttons (i.e., press multiple buttons simultaneously). If this is difficult for you, please ask lab staff for assistance. Here are the chording instructions for modifying the Mouse-Track settings:

To reverse left & right button functionality: Chord left, right & speed
To set middle button as double click: Chord left, right & middle (note: in Windows, this can also be done in the Mouse Control Panel. So we recommend that the middle button remain at its default setting [click and drag]).
To set middle button to click & drag: Chord left, right, middle & speed (i.e., all four buttons)