Footmouse? Holy hell!

Scott Manning
April 25, 2003 | Comments (12)

footmouse (2k image) Just when you thought that every lame invention has hit the market, someone comes up with the Nohands Mouse. For this article, I will refer to it by the name it should have: The Footmouse.

The Footmouse is exactly what I've labeled it. It's a couple of foot pedals that you can use to control the cursor on your computer. At the first notion of this concept, I'm thinking, "What the hell?" But the Footmouse website has plenty of reasons and testimonies on why you should stop using your hand to control the cursor and rely on your feet.

I will make fun of most of them.

Lame reasons to own a Footmouse
For those of you trying to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you now have a friend. But if you got the Syndrome from using the mouse so much, wouldn't you start having problems with your feet? I mean, you're now using your feet as much as you were using your hand. You're also using your feet for tasks they haven't been used for. I can just imagine the lawsuits.

Another lame reason to own this thing is that you don't have to move your hand from the keyboard as much. The problem with this is that if someone is really having problems moving from the keyboard to the mouse so much, why don't they learn some keyboard shortcuts? This makes life much easier than using a mouse or foot pedals.

The only thing you can't do from a keyboard is position a cursor, but why would using your foot make life easier?

Lame testimonies about the Footmouse
The best part when learning about the Footmouse is the testimonies.

Somebody says, "It only took me a minute to get used to it. I learned it a lot faster than when I learned how to use the hand mouse." Oh, come on. Was this person an ape? A human being that has been using his hands for tasks all his life isn't going to suddenly discover that he should be using his feet. Maybe playing the piano with one's feet is easier too.

Somebody else says, "Oh, it's very good, its fun! I use it without my shoes." Can you imagine what an office full of shoeless workers would smell like? Or what if you were meeting with a lawyer and you couldn't stay focused on the topic of discussion due to his constantly shifting feet under the desk. Also, how much would you trust a shoeless lawyer? I know I prefer my lawyers in nice suits and shoes.

The final blow
For the final reason as to why this thing is lame, I want you all to consider the people in their rolling chairs trying to stay in one spot as their feet crank away at the Footmouse.

I rest my case.

Thanks to co-worker Steve D. for pointing this contraption out.

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Comments (12):

1) Posted by: bruce
April 30, 2003 5:38 AM

I bought 7 at $289.95 each, I use them as bookends and for helping me to escape from public lavatories.

2) Posted by: Mark Hulderman
June 20, 2003 1:14 PM

History, truly repeats itself. There was a product like this in the early '80's. The PC was only a couple of years old at the time. The product never took off. It was called "The Footmouse."

3) Posted by: Bad Mouth
October 20, 2003 11:34 AM

Ah yes the good old foot movement LOL.
I bet that��s how most good dancers arrived from the Footmouse.
Other than being a lamer device that states it helps people with
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it can also be used for people who are handicap.
As you know there are lots of unfortunate people who can��t use or have arms.
So I can say this product suite these types of people very well.
As for carpal tunnel syndrome BULL SHIT!
Even if you use the footmouse doesn��t stop a person from getting it.
The person still has to use the keyboard no matter what.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented if you position your keyboard
or mouse in the best way you feel comfortable in.
Also make sure when on the keyboard for hours on ends like I use to be
stop every 10 minutes and move your wrist by twisting it and flapping
your hands.
I should know, I work with computers since TI times and let me tell you
NO carpal tunnel syndrome here.
And if you already have carpal tunnel syndrome then I suggest get off
the keyboard simple.
As for the footmouse it��s great for handicaps what can I say about that ��
B.M

4) Posted by: Sparky
June 15, 2004 10:19 AM

This Footmouse is a load of bullshit and i hope the person who invented it is shot through the heart with a piece of garden hose attached to a spoon

5) Posted by: jj
July 24, 2004 4:51 AM

Your article is hilarious. The idea of a dignified pinstriped suit and silk tie lawyer keeping his bare feet actively tapping away while his polished wingtips and silk socks are discarded is too weird even for today.

6) Posted by: Poor guy
November 3, 2004 9:19 PM

Have a look at this fantastic foot mouse link

http://www.geocities.com/zplazm/footmouse.html

7) Posted by: LJ Day
December 12, 2004 10:00 PM

It looks like the previous responses are all from men. If you ever used a sewing machine or a rotary hand tool without a foot control, I can understand your ignorance. However, what do you say to a person who has a handicap that makes a handheld mouse difficult?

Try getting out of your little boxes. Until I try it, I won't knock it, but it seems that it would have a spot, even if the manufacturer doesn't get rich.

I don't think that the inventor of the iron lung (go google it) got rich either.

8) Posted by: Jesse
July 30, 2005 6:20 PM

You people are all very uninformed and ignorant. I have carpal tunnel syndrome, it is the worst thing that has happened to me. i am unemployed as a result and looking for alternatives. the reason why you isiots haven't gotten it isn't because it is "easy to avoid" it's because certain people are more likely to develop it as a result of their body type and how they are put together.

So find an alternative instead of bashing the footmouse or whatever the hell it is...tyranny of the morons strikes again.

Love Jesse

9) Posted by: Dominator
October 25, 2005 7:09 PM

I hope you have all had a look at smartnav naturalpoint it's amazingly good

10) Posted by: Ray
February 23, 2006 11:49 AM

Ha Ha Ha,

I hope you enjoy your laughing.

I assume you are young.

I hope that when you get older you never find out what it is to start feeling shooting pains in your hands when you use a mouse, trackball, or laptop type pointer. ... and yet know that without using it every day you will have no income, no ability to get an income not to mention no health insurance.

It isnt very funny, I can assure you. And at that point, rip-off or not, if it works $300 is nothing. One trip to a hand specialist will cost you over $300.

11) Posted by: DHAIRYA
March 28, 2006 8:03 AM

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO CANNOT MOVE ANY PART OF THE
BODY EXCEPT HIS HEAD AND HE CANNOT TALK WE WANT HIM TO USE A KEYBOARD FOR TYPING BUT I AM UABLE TO GET ONE WHAT SHOULD I DO?

12) Posted by: Dick Jones
April 6, 2006 6:17 PM

Piece of shit. All I can say is that the materials used to make them is pure garbage. I should know, I used them and the cursor switch is made from a company in Orange County, CA. that builds aerospace equipment. Boards are bad, and the cables a junk. If you do decide to get one, do not rely on it. It will break and you will end up sending it back over and over again for repair. Good Luck!!!!