Any hardware component that allowS a uSer to input Spatial data to a computer. CADSyStemS 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)
