I often seems to me like there are two types of editing software users: the key peckers and the touchers.

If you are a key pecker you know who you are. You love editing almost entirely by key commands, and probably started on an Avid system. Key in and out points, key into the timeline – key everything. Key peckers see the video timeline and see something that is manipulated with keystrokes point by point.

But then there are the touchers, and I have to say I’m in this group. These are the ones who see a timeline and want to move it around and re-arrange the elements via a visual interface. The timeline is something fluid, and although there are some key commands involved with the left hand, the right hand is all about the motion.

My question is though: why are all of you touchers still using a mouse?

Mice are clumsy, and although they are what you are familiar with, they leave a lot to be desired when you are looking to really interact with a user interface on a natural level.

Go into any design house, and you’ll see a lot of grey, flat surfaces everywhere. These are known as Wacom tablets (pronounced “Whack’em”), and they are basically an alternative input device that uses a digital pen.

Anyone who edits graphics on a serious level uses one, and it’s my opinion that anyone that edits video on a serious level should have one too (sans the Avid users).

Basically, you slide the stylus (digital pen) across the tablet, and move the cursor. Very simple concept, but it does take a lot of getting used to. If you’re like most people, you’ve held a pen in your hand for writing and a mouse in your hand for computing your whole life. Mixing the two won’t be easy, but it pays off.

How? A Wacom tablet with a pen allows you to access the interface of a video editor very quickly and efficiently. You can move around clips on the timeline, adjust levels, and touch tiny buttons all over the screen very quickly – and very accurately. You are no longer mousing around and clicking here and there slowly and deliberately. You are really manipulating the program in a fluid way, and that can really make a difference in the speed and quality of your editing.

Bonus: Wacoms come with a mouse that is very comfortable and uses the tablet surface for when you don’t need the pen stylus.

There are other companies that make tablets like these, but Wacom is the industry standard. Although you can get a knock off for cheaper, I really recommend going with a real Wacom and saving the trouble of another kind breaking or not functioning properly.

There are also a lot of different type of Wacoms. I prefer the Intuos3, 6×8. It’s the perfect size for Final Cut, and really gets the job done well.

If you are a big toucher, I highly recommend dropping some cash on these and seeing where one can take you.