Any hardware component that allows a user to input spatial data to a computer. CAD systems and {GraphICal User Interfaces} (GUI) allow the user to control and provide data to the computer using physICal "gestures" - point, clICk, and drag - typICally by moving a hand-held mouse across the surface of the physICal desktop and activating switches on the mouse. Movements of the pointing devICe are echoed on a graphICal representation of a desktop on the screen by movements of the mouse pointer and other visual changes. While the most common pointing devICe by far is a mouse, other kinds include tracker ball, trackpad, lightpen, various kinds of digitising tablets whICh use a stylus, and even a special "data glove" that translates the user' s movements to computer gestures. (1997-02-03)