gloriouscow

An advertisement for a failed user interface device, the "mouse" - circa 1984.

The mouse might have seen wider adoption had it not debuted at an astonishing $195, or nearly $500 in 2026 dollars.

As it stood, it simply could not compete with the light pens that we all know and use today.

#retrocomptuing

Apr 5 at 3:14amWeb
Show threadAxel HartmannApr 5
@gloriouscow - this particular model may be part of the more successful "mouse" range, but just about every feature was significantly changed later on:
- the buttons were stiff, and their orientation meant that you moved the mouse in vertical direction when clicking
- the sensor ball was near the wrist, whereas sensors near the finger tips allow much more controlled, fine movement
- and of course, the ball itself, the serial interface, ...
this model would feel awkward and alien today, almost as bad as a light-pen
Show thread640KBApr 5
@gloriouscow Mouse 1.0:
Show threadMaya Saura 2 Apr 5
@gloriouscow this mouse seems to be really big for the computer