Surfing with my Bamboo?

[KarenC]

I'm embarrassed admit that I've developed a big callous (that hurts) on my lower hand, right on the bone, where it rests on my desk from using the mouse. I'm not sure if it's my desk height, or I don't have my new wireless mouse adjusted right or what ever. I'd like to start using my Bamboo pen tablet to surf, but I just can't get the hang of it, especially scrolling. Any tips would be much appreciated.

Or...any tips on getting my mac wireless mouse adjusted right. It seem like it takes more movement to get things done. Or maybe it's getting used to the 21 inch screen?

Or maybe I should cut my computer time??? eeek!

Thanks!!

[DonnaNJ]

I had the same problem with that Mouse I actually think it's too thin and that's why you develop a callous.. I would buying a logitech mouse instead.. sorry I can't help you with the Bamboo I was never able to get used to it

[KarenC]

Thanks, Donna! It's good to know that I'm not the only one that's had this problem. Maybe a new mouse is in my future.

Edit to add: ...but so sorry that you did! But, I'm glad to know that it might be a problem with the mouse and maybe not with me, lol.

[dugarner]

I got used to my Bamboo, I used it exclusively for a year and a half until I got my laptop. I do a lot less work now than I did two years ago, though, because of my hip problems. I can't sit upright for more than about 30 minutes at a time.

But for a couple years before my Bamboo, I had a trackball. Have you tried those? They have that nice, wide, fat base, and your hand rests over the ball, you flick it with your fingers or thumb. (But I did start getting some arthritis pain in my thumb from using my thumb too much.) It allows for a lot of stretching and natural hand placement, if you're going to use a mouse.

[KarenC]

I've never tried a track ball, Sarah. Maybe I'll look at one of those, too. Thanks!

[rsdtmd]

To get used to the pen tablet I just put away the mouse and did not use it. Using a mouse now feels cumbersome and slow. It was amazing how quickly my carpel tunnel cleared up from using the computer, but it still flares up at times from putting to much pressure on my wrists.

Wacom has a penscrappers site that has some tutorials on using it. I also think that Cassie has a lesson in the shop on the tablet.

[KarenC]

Thank you! I'll check those out.

[ang66]

I have never been able to get the hang of my bamboo either and it has been sitting in my scrapbook room for over a year now!!

[echogirl]

Love my bamboo! I also just put away the mouse and never looked back.
It kinda becomes second nature after a while. For scrolling I think I just use the space bar.

here's a link to Sara's tutorial

[mugsbigsis]

Karen, I too, put the mouse away and used my pen. It literally took me 2 days to get it down pat. I hate the mouse now and feel burdened if I have to use it.

But about your soreness issue, I have what is called a "HandStand." It is simply a beanbag that you rest your wrist on when using a pen or a mouse. It's perfect. They are very inexpensive at BestBuy or you could probably just make a beanbag out of rice. :O) For scrolling I click and drag on the side bar.

[anke]

I got used to my bamboo by simply forcing myself to use it and it really didn't take me long. You might just have to find the right place for it to sit. Mine is on the right, not in front of the computer. For scrolling I programmed the pen to flick on the pad, it works wonderfully!
Sorry about the soreness, I hope it'll go away soon!

[KarenC]

Thanks girls!
I'm going to look for a hand stand for sure!

[blkcow]

Ditto what Kelly said. I just put the mouse away....it was slow and heavy anyway. The pen is wonderful.....but the key to the entire operation is the wrist bean bag that Kelly suggested to me. I have no wrist hurting....and if I use my touch pad on the front of my laptop...the right hand side of my lower hand really hurts (like yours)...so I try not to use it at all.

Good luck and hope your pain goes away.

[esther_a]

I have mouse mats with a padded section to support the wrist. I also have a bamboo. I got quite proficient with browsing using it. The only annoyance was switching to the keyboard to type messages. I could never figure out a comfortable arrangement of keyboard and bamboo. I haven't been using it lately because I upgraded my computer and hadn't got around to installing the driver (Photoshop and ACDSee and LightRoom got installed first!!).