For ThisNext, intelligent consumption means choosing products that help prevent potential problems — instead of waiting till the trouble starts. So we’re curious about the Smart Cat Touchpad, an ergonomic mouse alternative recommended by Paul Freibott at Lime’s Stuff We Like blog. Freibott, whose bout with repetitive strain injury once had him “laid up for nearly three weeks with inflammation, pain, muscle spasms, and numbness in my arms, wrists, and elsewhere,” suggests the Touchpad to any heavy clickers with sore index fingers. Compatible with both PCs and Macs, the device “works just like a laptop touchpad except that you can pick it up and use various fingers, including your thumb.” Freibott alternates the Touchpad with two other mouse alternatives to avoid repetitive movements and keep his hands healthy and happy.