Turnpike

Impressed that you use your tackle for that task and not surprised that the mouse pad is grubby.

In message snipped-for-privacy@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk>, Tim Lamb snipped-for-privacy@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> writes

Maybe the mouse is slipping on the pad? You could try cleaning the mat and the underside of the mouse, as grease tends to build up. You could even try dispensing with a mat, if the top of your desk isn't too shiny.

Have you checked that the mouse's cable (assuming it's not a wi-fi mouse) is securely attached at both ends? Have you checked with another application - say your text editor - to determine if you see the same behaviour there? Do you have the most up-to-date driver for your mouse?

If none of that leads to a solution, it could be that some internal component of the mouse is wonky and - given how cheap mice are - it might be easiest just to buy a new one.

Probably.

Try Shift-cursor keys

:-) Self taught leaves a lot of gaps!

Shift/cursor keys is fine. The pad is severely abraded below the grubbiness but much improved off centre.

Desk top is plastic Oak so slippery.

In message <XLABRgB8n5ngFww9@jhall_nospamxx.co.uk>, John Hall <john snipped-for-privacy@jhall.co.uk> writes

It's the pad!

Cable OK, same elsewhere. Driver? AVG would love me to sign up for their driver updater service:-(

Fine with keyboard controls.

Yes. Dirt.

That's the kiddy! I left higher education around the time local computer services came on the scene so missed any useful keyboard training.

New mouse pad is the answer.

Thanks all.

In message snipped-for-privacy@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk>, Tim Lamb snipped-for-privacy@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> wrote

Can't see from here...

Mouse click to start of unwanted text; Control Shift & hold; then select words with right arrow.

I once bought a 'proper'(?) optical mouse mat and the Apple mouse wouldn't work on it at all and my Logitech optical mouse was far less accurate on that than on my leg! ;-(

Cheers, T i m

In message snipped-for-privacy@kitzbuhel.co.uk>, Andy snipped-for-privacy@kitzbuhel.co.uk> writes

Ok Andy. Dirty/worn pad is the cause of the problem.

Interesting patination. Was that there originally or grown there over time?

I have a HP (branded?) wireless optical mouse I use via a 4 way KVM switch when trying or setting up new stuff and often use the mouse on the bed and that's fine.

You would think the same make and general functionality (ball v optical reflective v camera(?)) would behave equally on the same surface?

That's something I have noticed on long-surviving mice, the feet wearing out.

Oh? Something I need to watch out for on the one I'm using here then (M720).

Good customer service.

Doh. Mind you, I have quite a few new things here I bought ready for that next_on_the_list project that didn't turn out as hoped.

I try to test electronics I buy (more often online) at least to check it works generally (not so easy on a multipin / function device like an ESP32 micro controller but luckily they aren't too much money. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Turnpike, is that still actually runnable? I use Outlook Express and it needs some tweaks to make it run in windows later than xp, but the problem is there is no client with the accessibility and the ability to use identities to 'hide' other accounts any more that also does news. Brian

Yep, Turnpike still works - but only under 32-bit Windows. I'm running it successfully under Windows 10.

In message <s7qdq0$c3f$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me, "Brian Gaff (Sofa)" snipped-for-privacy@blueyonder.co.uk> writes

So was it originally completely plain or was that general colour running across the middle already there?

Fairly universal then? ;-) It's funny how many people adopt something that might initially just come to hand and then use permanently. The Mrs uses her mouse on a mat on a heap of books (that were already there on a shelf by the arm of the chair where she sits) as that's where we first tried it when I set it up for her years ago. It's just 'convenient and works so she carries on using it like that.

I wonder if the publishers even envisage that use over that sort of duration (and maybe the mouse mat manufacturers could learn something). ;-)

See above.

Depth of the fibres then possibly? Most of the things you say it does work on have 'a grain' or weave, I don't think the outside surface of a fleece does? Or, I wonder if it's the fact that fleeces are made from plastic (often re-cycled I believe) so may be transparent / translucent (like fibre optics) and so confuse the detection system?

Funny you should say that. I was looking on my Logitech yesterday to see what model it was and looked under the battery cover etc (in the end it was just moulded into the plastic so didn't stand out (literally and visually <g>). After putting the cover back on, it stopped working. I KVM'd over to the other PC, wasn't working there either, reset both the USB dongles, even powered both PC's off and then back on again but nothing. I removed and re-seated the battery, extended the spring contact at the +ve end a bit and pressed all the buttons (especially the one that selects what channel it's on), still nothing. It has lost contact previously and one of those things has normally sorted it.

Then I measured the battery and it was down to 1V! Of all the times that the battery might go flat ... ;-(

Ok. I have both mouse and kbd here because they do seem to just work and you can get fairly good reliability and functionality for a reasonable (but not cheap) price (especially in their more basic models).

For me it was a MS branded corded mouse optical (probably Logitech)?

I have big hands so try to find big mice as they are more comfortable. I don't think this M720 is a big as the MS mouse it replaced. ;-(

As long as they last outside warranty, they can sell more. ;-)

Only time would tell, unless they specifically state it deals with that problem and I doubt they would do that.

I probably used mine more when regularly playing FPS with mates around the world (I played Pariah and was in a 'Clan' <g>) but I'd say it's generally still used quite a bit, especially in Sketchup and doing 3D design.

Oh, as a generic switch or something 'special' to those mice?

Given what they cost and what they probably cost to make, not a biggie for them, certainly when compared to the bad publicity.

I think TP-Link went that way with all (?) their stuff having a lifetime warranty but now they have cut back on that quite a bit.

I noticed the new Leatherman 'Bond' carries a 25 year guarantee when I think they used to be 'lifetime'?

I do have a spare PST II, bought s/h off eBay in the States and bought in the hope that if I had a spare, I'd never need it. ;-)

On the times I thought I had lost my Leatherman over the last few years, daughter has bought me one as a present but as they didn't really make anything that was suitable, the best she could get wasn't really as good. She did get me one of the Tim Leatherman 'anniversary' models when it was reduced but I only use that for best. ;-)

The only Co I have really used any warranty thing on is TP-Link and they have been pretty good (new for old / upgrade etc).

Oh.

That has happened here on this Logitech K270 so I bought some stick-on key top letters and I'd have to say I'm impressed. I feared they would slide about and come off but they haven't.

I think part of the reason I never learned to touch type is because I was rarely in front of the same keyboard and often (as a field support tech) the keyboard was on the floor, on top of a cabinet, pile of kit or on my knee (as it is now).

No, nor me (now typing with a dog on my lap and holding the keyboard in my left hand) as many of the people I used to look after now use tablets and phones.

When I go though my boxes of stuff (most of it is in Stanley storage units [1]) looking for something it can be like Xmyth as I discover all the goodies I have previously bought, for the S&G and fun and then want to play with. ;-)

On that, Is there any support for the Raspberry Pi over there or do you have a spare PC (or VM) you could run Home Assistant on? I know you use Philips Hue and Alexa(?) but I thought you might like having a look at HA as well?

Cheers, T i m

In message <s7qdq0$c3f$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me, "Brian Gaff (Sofa)" snipped-for-privacy@blueyonder.co.uk> writes

This reply brought to you by Turnpike :-)

What about various containers, ex food pots etc?

No, I bet not. I have used those (the nylonny ones) for all sorts of things where I want a stiff but flexible material. The last time was a backing plate on a dinghy trailer. ;-)

Yeah, the problem with that sort of thing is that they move. Ok that you can move them into place but once in place they sorta need to be solid.

;-)

That's what I was thinking, 'depth' of the surface etc.

You would think they would do *something*?

Mine doesn't like front of a CD. ;-)

Yeah, a fairly deep 'pile'.

What about a micro fleece OOI? I have some Stanley branded uFleece tops that are much finer? My M720 works fine on mine.

I think you are right!

That *is* unusual as they often seem to stop making the good stuff. ;-(

I think I was pointed toward a 'two part' (injection moulded) key top as that meant the characters went right though the plastic, like the letters on a stick of rock.

Is that still cordless and what sort of battery life do you get out of it?

That was it, 'Intellimouse'.

I have often repaired the cord if the mouse is still generally ok (often by shortening it) but the feet had also gone on mine so it was a bit too far gone.

I wonder if then it IS cheaper for them to do that rather than get the bad 'they all do that and they still haven't fixed it' press? If you get a new / free one you are less likely to blog about it negatively etc (possibly the exact opposite). They still go wrong but give you a new one (where other makes may not go wrong in the same timescale etc)?

That's good then as the chances are they would be cheaper.

I guess it's all down to the numbers (and what others you could get)?

What, an 'audio course' in vinyl format (rather than on cassette or CD etc)?

You should have been a doctor then. ;-)

I did look briefly for a simple app but didn't find one at the time.

They are a good idea (for small bits) as they are quite shallow so you don't have to dig about for stuff. I bought some (2 x 6 drawer sets) larger but not-so-deep draws that will take stuff like my hot glue gun, DMM's or 3D printer spares and slowly sorting stuff into those. I need to try to only use those for things I use regularly and leave the less regularly accessed stuff for less easy access storage.

Cheers, T i m

In article <z0fL80AIaNogFwvh@jhall_nospamxx.co.uk>, John Hall <john snipped-for-privacy@jhall.co.uk> on Sun, 16 May 2021 at 09:23:36 awoke Nicholas from his slumbers and wrote

This message is brought to you under Turnpike ver 5.02M on 64-bit Windows 7. I cannot speak for 64-bit Windows 10.

On Wed, 26 May 2021 at 12:19:03, Nicholas D. Richards snipped-for-privacy@salmiron.com wrote (my responses usually follow points raised):

Yes, TP 6 - with its shell extension - only works on 32-bit (7 and later). [Though I believe the Connect part may run under 64-bit.] TP5 apparently works on 64-bit, 7 at least.

In article <$ snipped-for-privacy@255soft.uk, J. P. Gilliver (John) snipped-for-privacy@255soft.uk on Wed, 26 May 2021 at 13:34:52 awoke Nicholas from his slumbers and wrote

Ah yes the Shell Extension. I could never get on with it and is why I reverted to TP 6 and that was before I converted to Windows 7, just was glad to discover that it was a wise (20/20 hindsight) move. There is just a small wrinkle; when you connect on the Connect Application you get an error 'incorrect structure size' while finding connection details. The advice from the rump of the Turnpike Team was that this message could be OK'ed and ignored.

I have been running like that for maybe 10 years.

In message <0$ snipped-for-privacy@salmiron.com, Nicholas D. Richards snipped-for-privacy@salmiron.com writes

Yes, I should have specified that what I wrote was only applicable to version 6.