>
> 1000x no on the trackball idea. Nixit.

Agreed. Seconded. 100%

Using this kind of marginal, rapidly-aging technology is what gives certain
technophobic people an excuse for saying that computers are a Bad Thing in
museums.

Touch screen technology is the future. It's developing fast and some kinds
are better than others. Good touch screens can be extremely robust and
reliable.

Here's a tip if you want something TOTALLY bomb-proof and your budget
really can't stretch to touch screens. Mount four vandal-resistant
push-buttons spaced apart in a row directly under the screen. Get your
software written so that there are never more than four menu options.
Indicate each choice with an on-screen arrow pointing down at one of the
buttons.

Then you just need to connect an interface unit between the push-buttons
and the computer, so that each button corresponds with one of the keyboard
keys (say, numbers 1 to 4).

I can supply such interface units, if that's any help.


--
Ian Russell
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Interactive Science Ltd
http://www.interactives.co.uk
(Come and take a look!)