Trackpoint

1 definition found

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  TrackPoint
       
           (Or "pointing stick", "nipple") A small knob found
          in the middle of some {keyboards} that works like a very short
          {isometric joystick}.  Pressing it toward or away from you or
          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
          on the {IBM} {ThinkPad} and later on some {desktops}.
       
          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,
          including {TI}, {HP}, {Compac}, {Dell}, but NOT {Toshiba} or
          {AST}.
       
          "TrackPoint" and "Trackpoint" are IBM trademarks.
       
          {(http://www.research.ibm.com/mathsci/cmc/trackpoint.htm)}.
       
          [INTERACT'90, North Holland Pub Co, pp. 700-706].
       
          (2003-06-26)