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Today, consumers can buy a computer mouse designed for either the left or right hand. Some have a wheel that allows users to scroll up or down a computer screen without first having to click on a graphical user navigation bar. Logitech also offers a cordless mouse and even a 3D mouse with six degrees of movement, useful in specialist applications in computer aided design and in some computer games.

Other companies have developed a mouse with a "force feedback system" so users can "feel" texture or be pulled towards an icon on the computer screen through tiny magnets within the mouse. US-based Immersion last year introduced its Feel it Mouse using force feedback technology. "Unfortunately there is not much software available that supports a force feedback mouse but that will change," predicts the global product manager at Logitech.

The mouse has been partly blamed for carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful condition caused by too much computer use. Logitech funds research into ergonomic issues and the manager says that, so far, there is no direct proof that too much use of the computer mouse causes carpal tunnel syndrome. "It's really a personal issue , users have to find a mouse that they are comfortable with. There are also trackballs and touch pads available, which some users prefer," she says.

Dr. Engelbart's first mouse had one button, but his later models had three. "I would have added more buttons if I'd have had the physical space," he says. Apple Computer offers just one button on its mouse. Microsoft added an extra button for Windows systems. But for Dr. Engelbart more buttons mean more efficiency. "With one hand controlling the mouse, the left hand could be doing something. So I developed a device with five keys for the left hand, so that even before you click on something, you can communicate to the computer what it is that you want to do with it," he says.

With five keys, users can also input letters without resorting to a keyboard. He still uses his five key input device and hopes to find commercial interest in the design.

Glossary

Labs = laboratories.

Apple Computer, Macintosh (Mackintosh), Microsoft ) – название фирм по производству компьютеров; Microsoft Windows — программный продукт фирмы Майкрософт.

3D mouse = 3 dimensional mouse — трёхмерная компьютерная мышь. Сarpal tunnel syndrome — болезненные ощущения в запястье, вызванные слишком частым использованием компьютера.

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Task 1. Look up the following words and word combinations in the Vocabulary; find the sentences where they are used:

computer mouse, computer pointing device,

computer interface, graphical user interface, graphics icons, software, ground breaking, forerunner, prototype, high-end model, data, rollers, keyboard, to point, to click, trackball, touch pad .

Task 2. Fill in the blanks with articles if needed.

His work led him to develop ... concept of ... graphical user interface with ...

windows, ... graphics icons and ... text organized into hyperlinks.

Dr. Engelbart faced ... laughter in his efforts to promote ... mouse as ... serious device.

US-based Logitech, ... biggest maker of ... computer mouse devices, offers a large range, with its high-end models using ... tiny laser to read dots on marble, converting ... information into data ... computer understands.

Task 3. Fill in the blanks with prepositions if needed.

First Apple computers were based ... research carried out ... a Research Center, where scientists who had worked ... Dr. Engelbart were based.

He developed a device ... five keys ... the left hand, so that even before you click ... something, you can communicate ... the computer what it is that you want to do ... it.

Task 4. Explain the italicized grammar constructions in the following sentences.

Yet where would we be without that computer pointing device?

During the project he became convinced that all knowledge workers would some day have their own computer and needed a simpler way to interact with complex software.

Dr. Engelbart knew that the technology would become less expensive over time.

With an optical mechanism, the mouse is more accurate and you don't have to periodically clean the rollers as you would with a mechanical mouse.

Dr. Engelbart would have added more buttons if he'd have had the physical space.

With one hand controlling the mouse, the left hand could be doing something.

Task 5. Translate into Russian.

Working on a research project, he was studying ways of improving computer interfaces.