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Using the RollerMouse Free with Sony Vegas Pro and Sony Sound Forge for video and audio editing
Like me, you've probably been mousing around for some time. You may have even tried some mouse alternatives, such as tablets, trackballs, and their ilk. But, eventually you found yourself back with the mouse in hand. I know, it's not an easy habit to break. But now there is an alternative that is well worth considering: the Contour Design RollerMouse Free.
I've been a big fan of the Contour Design Shuttle Pro V2 for many years. I cut my teeth on analog editing, so I love its old-school jog wheel. Plus the programmable "soft" buttons really speed up my workflow. It's a desert island hardware tool for me.
Because of my previous experience with Contour's products, when I first heard about the RollerMouse Free, I was initially intrigued. Still, part of me was skeptical. Did the world need another mouse alternative? And could I really learn to use another pointing device?
Mouse mistakes
There are two major drawbacks to the traditional mouse. One, you have to reach for it using one side of your body. This asymmetrical repetition can cause muscle tightness and even pain. Two, you have to grip the mouse to move it and that can lead to various repetitive stress injuries. Using the RollerMouse Free means you don't reach, you don't grip, and you use both of your hands equally. You essentially use your fingertips and thumbs to gently roll a bar. That's it.
The RollerMouse Free comes in either a black or white iteration and sits below your QWERTY keyboard, centered under the home keys adjacent to the spacebar. This design supports both left- and right-handed users. Inside the box are several risers that slip under your keyboard to help lift it up if needed. There's a comfortable wrist rest that attaches securely, too. I chose the black version but was somewhat disappointed in its shiny black finish that shows fingerprint smudges easily. The matte black akin to my ShuttlePro V2 would have been a better choice.
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| The Contour Design RollerMouse Free is an ergonomic mouse alternative. |
The device works right out of the box with either a laptop or desktop. Installation is a snap as you simply plug it into an available USB port. There's no special software to install; your OS's HID-generic driver handles it all. I use a dual monitor setup with no problems and because the OS sees it as a standard mouse, you can control pointer speed and other "mousing" functions readily. Another complaint here is that the permanently attached USB cable is fixed to the device's right side and is a wee bit too short. I had to use an extension to make it to my CPU.
Roller Action
The RollerMouse Free features a long sliding tube that you roll up and down and move from side to side to point. It's deliciously smooth, requires minimal fingertip movement, and works great with either hand. Pressing down on the tube functions as a left click. You can click and hold for selecting, dragging/dropping, and so forth.
A unique feature of the RollerMouse Free compensates for stopping at the end of its reach. Move the bar to either the far left or right until it clicks and your pointer jumps to that screen edge. This is equivalent to picking up and moving a traditional mouse.
Directly below the rolling bar is a bank of seven buttons. There are the usual left and right mouse buttons and a scroll wheel with its button. Centered at the bottom is a single automatic double-click button. Press it once and get a double-click! This saves a lot of clicking and is a very clever addition. Above the left and right mouse buttons are two smaller buttons that are copy and paste shortcuts keys. Other than undo and save, copy and paste are my most used commands, so these buttons are handy. All seven buttons are well-located and require a minimum of movement and effort to use.
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| Seven buttons add flexibility and functionality. |
Whether you are typing or doing a lot of pointer work, using the RollerMouse Free is comfortable and easy. Your arms stay at your sides, minimizing movement and reducing the potential problems caused by traditional mouse actions. It's an ergonomic design that really works.
Real-World Application
For me, a valid test was to use the RollerMouse Free with Sony Vegas Pro and Sony Sound Forge for video and audio editing. Both programs require a lot of mouse-like work and using them with it would be a real world trial. The result? The device worked flawlessly. I was surprised by how little effort it took to use and master the device. Within a day long session, I felt more comfortable and at home with the RollerMouse Free. Best of all, I noticed that my right hand and arm didn't suffer from the usual fatigue after a long day of traditional mouse driving.
Unfortunately for me, I was initially forced to go back and forth between two locations, one with a standard mouse and the other my studio with the RollerMouse Free. This made converting completely very difficult at first. Once I totally quit the traditional mouse world, I felt more at ease. At first, you will find yourself reaching for your mouse regularly, but over time that goes away. My advice is not to give up too quickly; it can take some time to break your old mouse habit. Once you do give yourself over to the RollerMouse Free, you may start to question how you lived without it.
Yes, Virginia, there is a better mouse out there, and you'll find it in the Contour Design RollerMouse Free.
Contour Design RollerMouse Free
Ergonomic, USB-based mouse replacement device (PC/Mac)
Price: $219.95
Available in black or white
More information: http://ergo.contourdesign.com/
Jeffrey P. Fisher is a Sony Vegas Certified Trainer and he co-hosts the Sony Acid, Sony Sound Forge, and Sony Vegas forums on Digital Media Net (www.dmnforums.com). For more information visit his Web site at www.jeffreypfisher.com or contact him at jpf@jeffreypfisher.com.
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