hardware (Or "pointing stick", "nipple") A small knob found
in the middle of some
keyboards that works like a very short
from side to side moves the
pointer on the screen. Ted
Selker brought the concept of an in-keyboard pointing device
to
IBM in September 1987. TrackPoint was introduced in 1992
It takes up virtually no extra room on the box or the work
area and also requires minimal movement of the hands from the
keyboard.
Many imitations of highly variable quality appeared. Pointing
sticks have also been used in many other
notebook brands,
"TrackPoint" and "Trackpoint" are IBM trademarks.
[INTERACT'90, North Holland Pub Co, pp. 700-706].
(2003-06-26)