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Nov. 20, 2009
Rabbi David Aaron: How to make every second of your life come first
Caroline B. Glick: Whither American Jewry
Nov. 19, 2009
Binyamin L. Jolkovsky: Please Listen to this Godcast (5 minutes)
Jonathan Tobin: ADL Crosses the Line with Report Bashing Obama Critics
Nov. 18, 2009
Rabbi Yonason Goldson: What Judaism has to say about the secret of the Mona Lisa's smile
JWisdom.com: The (Jewish) Dating Game with Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff (8 minutes)
Nov. 17, 2009
Steven Emerson: How Does the 4th Amendment Impact Terror Finance Investigations?
JWisdom.com: If Frank Sinatra married Edith Piaf with Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein (2 minutes) Life lessons from what would be regarded as the most inappropriate lyrics ever sung
Nov. 16, 2009
The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : When borrowing is stealing
JWisdom.com: Deconstructing faith with Rabbi Warren Goldstein (9 minutes)
Nov. 13, 2009
JWisdom.com Sarah's subjective reality with Rabbi Sroy Levitansky ( 6 minutes)
Caroline B. Glick: Obama's failure, Netanyahu's opportunity
Nov. 12, 2009
The Kosher Gourmet By Marialisa Calta : A sweet sweet potato treat
JWisdom.com Does God get tired? with Rabbi Harvey Belovski ( 5 minutes)
Nov. 11, 2009
Rabbi Avi Shafran: Jews and money: When anti-Semitism isn't
JWisdom.com Marriages are not made in Heaven with Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff (VERY fast 15 minutes)
Nov. 10, 2009
Michael Doyle: Author of book exposing CAIR ordered to remove supporting documents from Web
JWisdom.com If the creation so loudly shouts the existence of the Creator, why aren't more people believers? with Rabbi Naftali Brawer (9 minutes)
Nov. 9, 2009
Mark Steyn: Shooter exposes hole in U.S. terror strategy
JWisdom.com It's never too late to have a happy childhood with Sarah Chana Radcliffe (5 minutes)
Nov. 6, 2009
Rabbi Berel Wein: Choosing to hear
JWisdom.com Zero to 1/60th: How to Empower An Hour with Gavriel Aryeh Sande (7 minutes)
Caroline B. Glick The mullahs' big week
Suzanne Fields A Fallen Wall for Fallen Man
Nov. 5, 2009
The Kosher Gourmet: Three scrumptious -- but simple -- butternut squash dishes
JWisdom.com Hidden Hints: Unlocking Faith & Prayer with Rabbi Jay Yaacov Schwartz (10 minutes)
Nov. 4, 2009
Tom Hamburger and Kim Geiger: Should prayers be covered?
JWisdom.com When God played peacemaker With Rabbi Sroy Levitansky (5 minutes)
Nov. 3, 2009
Martin Peretz: Beware, Barack. Beware, Rahm. Beware, Axelrod
JWisdom.com Are you are closet idolater? With Sara Yoheved Rigler (10 minutes)
Nov. 2, 2009
Paul Greenberg: The Holocaust is now on Facebook
JWisdom.com Abraham's Strange Change With Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer (5 minutes)
Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review August 4, 2006 / 10 Menachem-Av, 5766

Wireless mouse useful for Mac

By Mark Kellner

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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | The announcement last week of Apple Computer's $69 Wireless Mighty Mouse was followed shortly by its arrival for testing. Would I replace a good, working mouse with this new product? Perhaps not, but I'd certainly consider it if my old mouse needed replacing, or if I wanted to trick out a new Mac ensemble.


Besides being cordless, the other big difference in this new model is that, unlike its wired (and $20 cheaper) predecessor, the wireless Mighty Mouse (MM) won't work with a Windows PC. The MM is a laser-based device, which means it can use just about any surface, including smooth ones, and achieve a good amount of accuracy. It connects to the Mac via Bluetooth, which just about every new Mac has as a "built-in" feature.


As with most wireless mice, the wireless MM will require AA batteries to run on, and it has space for two cells. However, Scott Brodrick, the Apple Computer product manager for the device, said travelers could save on weight by using one battery. The mouse works the same, but obviously that battery would have to be replaced more quickly. Using the lens cover can also save power. Slide it up and the mouse switches off. About the only thing missing is a travel pouch.


The MM has one top button that acts as two: A single press works as a regular click, but shift the pressure to the right side of the mouse and you can invoke a right-click menu. There are two side buttons that can be configured to handle all sorts of tasks, as well. The supplied software is easy to work with when it comes to setting such preferences.


The center of the MM's top side has what Mr. Brodrick called a "scroll button," a soft, pointerlike object that will scroll up and down, but also from side to side. Those who work with spreadsheets will relish this feature, and the rest of us won't object. It's a neat way to get around a document, photo or other item.


I do wish the wireless MM would work with PCs, too, but I'm happy that it does such a good job with the Mac. There are, after all, plenty of mouse options for PCs, as a visit to any computer store will affirm.


Perhaps my only gripe with Apple here is price, because a wireless keyboard/mouse duo will cost $128. For $29 less, both Microsoft Corp. and Logitech will sell you their wireless keyboard and mouse combos. Granted, both use a separate "dongle" that plugs into a USB port, less convenient than Apple's built-in Bluetooth solution.


Both sets have their advantages. Logitech's Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for Mac is very Maclike in its appearance, and has a bunch of keyboard-based controls that are helpful, such as controls for ITunes and IPhoto. The mouse feels right and its scroll wheel is certainly adequate, tilting from side to side as well as scrolling up and down, as are the two real buttons.


A similar range of movement is found on the Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac, with the tilt-and-scroll wheel a useful feature. Two extra buttons on the left side can be configured for faster Web browsing and other features, such as a one-button magnifier that brings a screen into close focus. Though ergonomic, the Microsoft product is the least "Maclike" in its look, but there's something to be said for comfort over aesthetics.

Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.

JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.

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© 2006, News World Communications, Inc. Reprinted with permission of The Washington Times. Visit the paper at http://www.washingtontimes.com

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