# pointing stick

> isometric joystick typically mounted in a keyboard

**Wikidata**: [Q20141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20141)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointing_stick)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pointing-stick

## Summary
A pointing stick is an isometric joystick typically mounted in a keyboard, used as a pointing device for computers. It functions similarly to a mouse or trackpad, allowing users to control the cursor without moving their hands from the typing position. Commonly found on laptop keyboards, particularly ThinkPads, it's also known by various nicknames including TrackPoint, nub, and nipple mouse.

## Key Facts
- Classified as both a pointing device and a joystick, with 62 sitelinks for joystick and 30 for pointing device
- Has 24 sitelinks across Wikipedia language editions including English, German, French, Spanish, and others
- Contains parts including strain gauge and handle
- Has multiple aliases: nub, nipple mouse, clit mouse, trackpoint, pointing nub, track point, трекпойнт
- Associated with ThinkPad X270 as a containing device
- Has specific identifiers including Freebase ID /m/01jmwz and BabelNet ID 01715267n
- Features two distinct Wikipedia articles: one in English (ID 19646) and one in Spanish (ID 31937)
- Has dedicated Commons category for pointing sticks
- Includes interior images available on Wikimedia Commons
- Discontinued Microsoft Academic ID: 68960980

## FAQs
### Q: What is a pointing stick used for?
A: A pointing stick is used as a computer input device to control the cursor on screen, functioning similarly to a mouse or trackpad. It's typically mounted between the G, H, and B keys on laptop keyboards, allowing users to navigate without moving their hands from the typing position.

### Q: Where is the pointing stick commonly found?
A: Pointing sticks are most commonly found on laptop keyboards, particularly on ThinkPad computers. They're positioned between the G, H, and B keys and are often accompanied by three buttons below the space bar for clicking functions.

### Q: What are the different names for a pointing stick?
A: A pointing stick is known by various names including TrackPoint, nub, nipple mouse, clit mouse, pointing nub, and track point. The Russian name is трекпойнт. These nicknames often reflect the device's appearance or function.

## Why It Matters
The pointing stick represents an important alternative input method in computer interface design, particularly valuable for users who need to maintain typing position while navigating. Its isometric design allows for precise cursor control without requiring hand movement from the keyboard, making it especially useful for touch typists and in situations where a separate mouse isn't practical. The technology has become particularly associated with ThinkPad laptops, where it's considered a signature feature that distinguishes these devices from competitors. By providing an always-available pointing solution integrated directly into the keyboard, the pointing stick addresses the need for efficient navigation in mobile computing environments where space is limited and users may need to switch frequently between typing and pointing tasks.

## Notable For
- Integration directly into keyboard design, eliminating need for separate pointing device
- Isometric joystick mechanism that responds to pressure rather than movement
- Long-standing association with ThinkPad brand as a signature feature
- Multiple colloquial names reflecting its distinctive appearance and function
- Support across multiple Wikipedia language editions and Wikimedia projects

## Body
### Technical Classification
The pointing stick is classified as both a pointing device and a joystick, placing it within two important categories of computer input technology. As a pointing device, it serves the same fundamental purpose as a mouse or trackpad, allowing users to control cursor movement on screen. Its classification as a joystick reflects its isometric control mechanism, which responds to pressure in different directions rather than physical movement.

### Physical Characteristics
The device typically consists of a small rubberized cap mounted on a strain gauge sensor. The strain gauge detects pressure applied to the cap in different directions, translating this into cursor movement. The handle portion includes the visible nub that users interact with, while the strain gauge forms the sensing mechanism beneath.

### Integration and Design
Pointing sticks are designed to be integrated directly into keyboard layouts, most commonly positioned between the G, H, and B keys. This placement allows users to access pointing functionality without moving their hands from the home row typing position. The design often includes three buttons below the space bar that serve as mouse buttons for clicking functions.

### Documentation and Resources
The pointing stick has extensive documentation across Wikimedia projects, including dedicated Wikipedia articles in multiple languages, a Commons category for related media, and interior images showing the device's construction. The technology is also documented in specialized wikis such as the Arch Linux wiki, which includes articles in both English and Spanish.

### Identifiers and References
The device has been assigned multiple unique identifiers across different knowledge bases and academic systems. These include Freebase and BabelNet identifiers, as well as a discontinued Microsoft Academic ID. The presence of these identifiers across various systems indicates the technology's significance and the interest in documenting it across different knowledge domains.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet