From: Juan-Carlos Lerman (jclerman_at_netzero.net)
Date: Fri Oct 08 1999 - 14:17:31 EDT
Michael Geary wrote:
>
> > 4. My index finger is beginning to show the "occupationally
> > caused finger dimple shown by users of certain laptops"
> > which is documented in the "International Journal of
> > Computer Related Finger Pathologies" on the shelves
> > of all good Tongue-in-Cheek libraries.
>
> You too, eh? <g>
Yes. I had to decide whether to get a finger transplant or
new trackpoint covers... but as my HMO wouldn't cover the
transplant...
> The only cure for this occupational injury is to stop using a ThinkPad.
That would be insane, unthinkable, an anachronistic return to
the stone age, etc.
> That's clearly a case of the cure being worse than the disease. But there is
> a preventative therapy that can minimize its severity: Change the TrackPoint
> cap more often.
I just did *again*... I've changed them about each 2 months
and might begin to increase the frequency of change. Now I
have already 7 worn out covers that I could offer on eBay as
"smooth surfaced track points" <g>.
I hope genetic engineering can design a gene for some kind
of organism to grow rough tissue with the texture and shape
of a trackpoint cover. Then we could harvest them, when
needed, from a natural supply growing at home. The reverse of
Velcro(tm) which was developed imitating the skin of (? Oops,
I forgot it...).
> When the cap wears down and loses its rough texture, you naturally
> compensate by using more finger pressure. Replace it with a new one and it's
> amazing how light a touch it takes by comparison.
IBM should develop a trackpoint-pressure meter that rings an
alarm when it's time to change the cover. Such a development
could be funded by the generous profits generated by the sales
of the covers themselves.
> -Mike
>
> ThinkPads in the Open Directory: http://geary.com/thinkpad/
JC
==
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