Hello, dear reader! In this post, I want to tell you about my experience of replacing my computer mouse with a graphic tablet as a trackpad, and why I decided to make the switch.

Additionally, I will be discussing a software called Barrier. Enjoy!

Problems with My Hands

In the past, I used my hands inaccurately, constantly clicking on the keyboard and using my graphic tablet at a fast pace. Unfortunately, this was a big mistake that has led to persistent pain in my hands.

Whenever I type too much or use a mouse, the pain intensifies. It has even reached a point where I struggle to hold objects, such as a mug, due to the intense pain. At times, my fingers can stop working and cause excruciating pain for a period of time, making it necessary for me to be very cautious.

Replacing the Mouse

Since using a mouse causes me a lot of pain and inconvenience, I began searching for an alternative. In the past, I used a trackpad which was less painful, so I thought of getting an external trackpad for my computers. However, I only found trackpads from Apple, which come with exorbitant prices. Although I acknowledge that it is a great device, I do not want to support the company due to their controversial practices.

Afterward, I began using my old graphic tablet, an Xp-Pen G640, which was not very painful and worked great. It was then that I had an idea to purchase a graphic tablet with a multi-touch surface that could double as a trackpad. My initial choice was the Wacom CTL 480, but I could not find it in my country as it was only being sold by one individual who quickly sold out. Instead, I decided to purchase the Wacom CTL 680S, which has worked out well for me.

Using the Wacom CTL 680S as a Trackpad

Now, onto the question: how has the Wacom CTL 680S worked out for me?

In a word, it’s been amazing. The size of the tablet is almost the same as my laptop, with a large surface area that’s extremely convenient to use. Additionally, all gestures work, including scrolling and switching between workspaces, but only if you configure the drivers correctly.

The tablet also comes with a great pen that you can use for drawing, using the system, or playing games. It’s completely up to you how you choose to use it. Personally, I found using the pen as a mouse to be amazing as it feels like holding the cursor in your hand. It’s incredibly easy to use and has been a great addition to my setup.

Pros:

• Large surface area
• Convenient to use with a pen
• Has multi-touch functionality
• Great design
• Bluetooth module and battery can be easily added if required

Cons:

• Like in most trackpads, the surface is not a big button and requires double-clicking the title of a window to move it, instead of just holding down. However, this issue can be easily solved by using the pen instead, which works much better.

Ultimately, whether or not to use a graphic tablet as a replacement for a mouse or trackpad is up to you. Personally, I found it to be very convenient and easy to use. After using it for over a week, I can confidently say that it’s the best way to control a computer that I’ve ever used.

Goodbye, mouse, forever.

About Barrier

Firstly, what is it?

Barrier is a KVM software that allows you to control multiple computers at the same time using only one keyboard and mouse.

Currently, I have three machines with graphical interfaces and one with a framebuffer console. Rather than having multiple keyboards and mice cluttering up my workspace, I can just move my cursor to the other machines and control them with ease.

If you use multiple machines, I highly recommend giving Barrier a try. It’s incredibly convenient and easy to use.

Thank you for reading.

Written by Alexa Hattori.

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Please send any comments to unixcat (at) anche (dot) no.