Spending 14 or more hours a day on a computer quickly led to carpal tunnel problems for me. Then I found a solution.

www.quillmouse.com

I don't think so. I HAD an Intellimouse and switched to Logitech's 10 function
programmable, wireless [rechargeable] mouse [Mx700] and never looked back.

I'm using A MS PocketMousePro on my PB. Though I have to admit I don't mind using the trackpad. I use the mouse for graphics, games, anything that requires more precision than checking e-mail. The mouse is not wireless but it has a recoil mechanism so the cord and the USB plug wind up and fold inside a little door on the side of the mouse. I got it rather than the wireless one because I thought the mechanicals were really cool (it was also $10 cheeper).

One thing I like about OS10 is that USB peripherals work without any drivers. Right now I'm running my iMac G5 with a Micron Computer USB mouse that we had around the shop when my MacAlly iOptinet mouse died last week. Everything works on it including the track wheel.

I've always loved the simplicity of a single mouse button, and the ergonomics of the Apple mice, particularly since the Pro Mouse came out four years ago. The tech support issue is my main complaint with multi-button devices. Talking to PC users continues to be a struggle.

Control-clicking is a rarity for me because I think keyboard shortcuts are faster. I Command- and Option-click more often, but since I usually have my hands on the keyboard anyway, getting there for these combinations isn't such a hassle.

Some of us have been doing the whole "chording" thing for years on our Unix/Solaris systems - it's so easy to work with a 3-button mouse. As long-term advocates of user-friendly interfaces I'm really surprised that this ifeature hasn't been pushed _much_ harder by Apple over the years.

I need a one-button mouse like I need a one-legged pair of pants.

When they "ignited" the personal computer revolution, a one button mouse probably was a good idea; now it seems to be just an aesthetic issue for them. With so many people having computers now, and especially with the prospects of switchers coming over from the dark side, now would be an ideal time to come up with an "Apple" aesthetic multi-button mouse.

Personally, I use a 5 or 6 year old Kennsington MouseWorks mouse (the ugly turtle-shaped thing) with 4 buttons and scroll wheel. Works great, the above mentioned software is great (I assign two buttons for foward and back also, as well as for expose.)

A 3 button mouse is a MUST have for some programs. Maya, for example. And the up-coming "Sims 2" uses the mouse wheel to navigate the game.

There are plenty of other programs where the wheel is USEFUL, but in these programs it's down-right NECESSARY.

Apple can leave the one-button mouse as the "standard" mouse, but they really need to offer a 3-button mouse as an up-grade item with any Mac purchase.

I don't know anyone who doesn't go out and just buy a logitech with each new Mac. Heck, Apple doesn't have to make 'em, just sell Logitechs. But make it part of the apple store...you should be able to select it as an option just like you can select a larger hard drive.

I have switched back and forth between using a one button and two button mouse for years. I can see both sides of the argument. I like the convenience of a two button mouse but using key commands throughout the day, control clicking isn't that big a deal. Isn't that what a keyboard is for anyway?

Anyway with all that said. My kids (Ages 2 and 5) like the one button mouse a lot better. They get so engrossed with what they are doing - noggin.com is a favorite place to play - that they don't pay attention to hand placement. Mice don't fit small hands very well and they get annoyed when clicking on the wrong button and a menu comes up.

The current mouse offering from Apple works well for them. As for me, I'm flexible but am glad that I have 3rd party options. I would like to see an BTO two button mouse option in the future.

A multi-button mouse may be great for some but have you ever observed the "average" Windows user, they never use the other buttons. Of the people I've converted to Macs, not a one wanted a multi-button mouse. They all use menus, no control, command clicking for them.
The one button mouse is perfect for almost everyone, at least those that never visit a tech column or read techie mags...in other words, "normal" people.

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Anonymous wrote:

The one button mouse is perfect for almost everyone, at least those that never visit a tech column or read techie mags...in other words, "normal" people.

I think you're on to something...I think this is how it should be asked:

* Do you own a SINGLE program (not a suite) that costs more than $400 and isn't Photoshop?

* Do you play a lot of games? Not online games, but ACTUAL games?

If you can answer "no" to both of those questions than (for MOST of you) a one-button mouse JUST FINE for you!

I think this is why Apple works the way it does...they figure that the people who say "yes" to those know how to buy the mouse they want...and why confuse the rest with choices they don't need?

I prefer my PB G4 trackpad with the Side Track utility to any mouse, with or without scroll wheel. Side Track lets me configure the trackpad's single button as "right click" and adds horizontal and vertical scrolling via trackpad movements.

Several applications I use make heavy use of contextual menu options. Side Track lets me invoke the contextual menu with a press of the trackpad button.

I love the ergonomics of this arrangement. No wrist stress, and nothing additional to carry around with the PB. And Side Track is free!

-- Bill DeVille

Apple is totally clueless when it come to marketing thier computer hardware to the other side. We all know it.

I think that it kind of puts Apple in that too stupid to live catagory. Apple appropriately garners a lot of ridicule because innovative yes, but riding the short yellow bus most definately.

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Anonymous wrote:
Apple appropriately garners a lot of ridicule because innovative yes...

This barely qualifies as English so I'm guessing a little bit here...but are you saying that people make fun of Apple for being original?

Because that's usually the one and ONLY thing they get credit for. People tend to fault them for having a small user base, high prices, and tightly controlling their products. But not for being innovative...

Unless I misunderstood you?

You've got to be kidding me if you think Windows users never use anything but the left button.

First of all, right-clicking is a staple of Windows life. Just about every program supports it, and it saves a trip to the menu bar. Not to mention the context menu is much more to the point than the menu bar is.

Second, scroll wheels are used all the time in Windows. Browsers in particular need scroll wheels for true convenience, and having a forward/back button is just wonderful. Everyone who has a wheelless mouse comes to me and asks for a wheel mouse replacement.

Using both keyboard and mouse to click is just lame. Especially now that OS/X supports context menus the one button mouse's usefulness is pretty much done.

The last few desktop Macs I bought, I never even unwrapped the mice and actually SOLD them. Now that I've gone pure PowerBook, there's no need.

Mice are awful. They're too slow and too much of a pain... figuratively and physically. I HATE running out of space on my desk and fishing for more room.

My favorite pointing devices? A Kensington TurboMouse Pro on my desk and a WACOM Graphire tablet which travels with my PowerBook (and makes guest appearances on the desk).

I do VectorWorks CAD and 3D, Photoshop and I do actually play games. A trackball is far more intuitive than a mouse as well as faster, more accurate and pain-free. There's no mouse claw hand grip cramping. You use only your fingertips to move the cursor around, not your entire arm. The multiple buttons are good to have and Kensington's software is excellent. I've been using trackballs for 15 years, BTW.

The tablet is fantastic. For Photoshop and CAD work it can't be beat. As a portable tool, it's perfect. I even have the stylus' side toggle switch set to double-click and Control-click. It fits nicely in my bag.

I wouldn't be without either!

I DO carry a Kensington Optical Mouse Pro (with the retractable cord). It's not bad, but it's still a mouse.

As for the continual One-Button-Mouse debate. That's what third party input devices are for are for.

When I gave my uncle, who had recently switched from a PC to a PowerBook, the choice of an Apple One-Button-Mouse or the Kensington Optical Mouse Pro... I talked up the scroll wheel and multiple buttons... he emphatically picked the Apple mouse. For him, ex-Navy helicopter pilot and Jaguar driver, multiple buttons were too confusing and unnecessary.

I couldn't ever figure out why in the world anyone would want a one button mouse, I sure didn't want one! I needed lots and lots of buttons, and especially a scrollwheel! But then the more people I introduced to the Mac and even when I was introducing them to computing for their first time regardless of platform.. on PC's they kept clicking the wrong button and then all of a sudden this menu came up completely confusing them.. They really hated that mouse.. now those that I introduced to mac, didn't have that problem.. they loved that mouse and when I tried to teach them about the ctrl key.. they just didn't care.. ok different strokes I guess.. My wife also, loved the one button mouse, until she became more of a power user.. now she wants lots of buttons and a scroll wheel I guess the biggest lesson was that not everyone out there is like me, and when the Mac is about ease of use, and after watching these people, I see the reason why they continue with that one button mouse.. and I don't have to like it.. but I understand it.

My observations are, if you are going to want a 3 button mouse with a scroll wheel, you are going to buy a third party mouse that you personally like anyways.

I never use the 3 button mice that come with PCs because they feel cheep. I always turn to the one wireless mouse from logitech that I've been using for ever. The point that apple doesn't put a 3 button mouse in their products is MOOT. You'll probably ditch it also, because it may not fit your hand, may not have the feel you like, or it's still corded.

Stop complaining about the single button mouse. It helps computer newbies just fine. I have many clients who don't know how to use a second button. Ever try to get your grandmother to play video games on a play station. Watch them try to use the controller with a gazillion buttons.

The author of the article even admits he uses a trackball. He'd still be complaining if apple did put out a three button mouse; it's still not a trackball, it's still not wireless; apple should put one out for lefties; etc.

Enjoy

Some people like multi button mice, and some prefer a single button. It depends on the person, and the use. On the Mac you have a choice. On windows, it doesn't matter what you want, some geek in 1989 liked multi-button so that's what you'll use.

Quote

Guest wrote:
Apple is totally clueless when it come to marketing thier computer hardware to the other side. We all know it.

I think that it kind of puts Apple in that too stupid to live catagory. Apple appropriately garners a lot of ridicule because innovative yes, but riding the short yellow bus most definately.

What a jerk you are. Because Apple doesn't, in your useless opinion, market computers well to the mindless PC masses that makes them too stupid to live? And what the hell is your reference to riding the short yellow bus supposed to mean really?

Again, what a jerk.

Back on the real topic, I use an Apple one button mouse, the built in one button track pad on my PowerBook, and a Kensington two-button trackball for variety's sake. All work well for me. I guess I am in the majority of Mac users.

Sometimes when I'm using my PB I have an external mouse connected, but I wind up using the trackpad anyway because I'm so used to it.

I've always found Apple's trackpads to be superior to other company's.

IMO...

Apple was on the right track back in the 1980's (and even the 1990's) with the idea that a one-button mouse would not be a too intimidating step up from a keyboard for all of the GUI Novices.

But it ain't the 1990's anymore. The marketplace isn't mostly first-time-ever PC buyers anymore who's used to a typewriter and may be terrified of a mouse interface. Apple (perhaps reluctantly) knows this, and that's why we no longer see TV Ads like the iMac's "There is no Step 3".

The good news is that a nicely affordable USB 2-button/wheel mouse for a PC is a straight "plug-n-chug" device under OS X.

I thought about my Apple mouse, still unwrapped, and decided that I'd be less upset with having an Apple mouse go to "waste" than if Apple's price for a multi-button mouse cost significantly more than the LogiTeck one that I bought on my own.

This is pretty much a "ditto" in terms of my external USB floppy drive, too, and maybe both fall within Apple's perspetive on this: when you can get away with it, don't bother to make low profit margin products.


-hh

The marketplace isn't mostly first-time-ever PC buyers anymore who's used to a typewriter and may be terrified of a mouse interface.

I've been using Macs since 1985, (and 8-bit PCs before it.) but I still find the two button mouse useless. I like the scroll wheel, but I've got another hand, why NOT use it for command-shift?

Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro RULES. The trackball is as big as a cue ball. It has scroll wheel, 4 buttons, and even internet hot keys. An for apples mouse...it looks real cool. But I do CAD and CAD or anything with an intense interface with a mouse SUCKS. Apple ideally could give the BTO option of no mouse, that would slash what 40$ off the price. Seriously that will never happen, So quit whineing and deal with it, the options ARE out there.

Personally I love the one-button mouse.
It contours to my hand perfectly.

Besides...I have a whole bunch of usb mice lying around and they last for years anyway. Some of the cheaper ones are like $10-20

I guess there is two sides to everything. I can't stand trackballs, they are all garbage in my book. I hate having to use muti-button mice on pc's. That one of the many cool things about macs. You have the control. You never have that on windows. Right hand for the one button mouse and left hand for keyboard shortcuts. Nice and simple, muti- and trackball lead to too much complexity. Yes, I am a graphic designer, two buttons don't help the average designer. Granted the hockey puck mouse was a piece of crap, but my mom who is a teacher thinks they are great for the kids (small mouse small hand). I love my Apple one button laser mouse, the best mouse I have owned.

personally, right now i have the kensington PocketMouse Pro with retractable USB cable-- works great with my iBook

the scratch pad is good, but i find the problem of letting my other fingers relax and the multiple input sending the pointer flying across the screen-- i know this is easily fixable, but i prefer mice anyway

i took a look at the quillmouse mentioned in the first post, and would like to test it before dropping $100 on a mouse when i could be easily happy dropping less on another mouse (which may not be as good, but it works)

single button is great for confused users, but if i were head of sales for apple, i would propose this sales solution

it is $49 to upgrade from your wired mouse and keyboard to a wireless mouse and keyboard ($99-$50 for boletooth module), now lets add another option to apple's site for purchases. separate the keyboard and mouse-- lets presume the replacement is $20 for the mouse and $29 for the keyboard, and initial mouse costs are $30 and $50 (i dont actually know)

bluetooth pulldown, $50 to add bluetooth

mouse pulldown, wired one button standard, add $20 for apple bluetooth one button, subtract $30 for no mouse

keyboard pulldown, standard wired apple pro keyboard, add $29 for wireless keyboard, subtract $30 for no keyboard

have those options available, because if you have a keyboard and mouse you like, then you arent charged extra for something you arent going to use

just another thought

TRO

I have to say on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best the Apple mouse garners a weak 1.
The only product from Microsoft that has ever worked correctly is my Microsoft Explorer Track Ball, I would give it a 9. It has 4 buttons a scroll wheel that also works as a button for scroll features. It's fantastic for surfing the web or editing in Final Cut Pro and the iLife suite.
I have one on my old PC and my newer dual G4. It performs flawlessly on both and makes the mousing around easy and fast.

I hated the "hockey puck" mouse that came with my G3 iMac. When I upgraded to my G4 Cube, I gave the iMac to my mom, and she had a hard time with it. So, I got her a multi-button mouse. Much better.

Same thing with the single-button mouse that came with the Cube. I got myself a Wacom Intuos 2 4x5 tablet (I have a small desk, okay?), and I'm very happy with it. With the right button, I can easily call up pop-up menus on Safari and other applications, instead of double-clicking like I did with the old mouse. The trackwheel helps me speed through applications (although I wished it worked for Adobe Acrobat. Ah well.).

It's the 21st century, folks. The one-button mouse is quickly becoming a quaint antique.

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Roger Plowman wrote:
...Browsers in particular need scroll wheels for true convenience...now that OS/X supports context menus the one button mouse's usefulness is pretty much done.

You can scroll the browser window using the up/down arrow keys. That's "true convenience," too.

BTW, Macs have supported contextual menus since Mac OS 8 in 1997...

The multi-button mouse is a lame crutch for a poorly designed interface. It provides no efficiency benefits and, at the same time, is ergonomically unsound.

Apple would be making a mistake to abandon this platform differentiator.

This whole argument boils down to a matter of taste. Apparently some users, primarily casual users and novices, do fine with one button, my preference closely matches the author's. Now all we need is useful compact keyboard that will allow us to keep one hand on the pointing device.

(I believe the "short yellow bus" is a reference to the school bus for students with special needs - in other words, the poster was describing Apple engineering and marketing as "a bunch of retards".)

I see both sides, and think the current system works good. I can't stand one button mice. I have a Logitech MX 700 and 500. 8 Buttons. It's awesome. Can't stand using one button mice when I'm on other people's computers.

But, as someone else pointed out, the vast majority of computer user's I've watched, who don't use the computer to make their living and are generally not "tech savvy" type of people, NEVER use the second button anyway. They don't even know what it does. They just go to the menus.

Tech savvy people, graphic designers, programmers, those who make a living on their living with their computer, they know the difference and use multi-button mice. But they know the difference, and they will buy what ever they want anyway.

Current system is fine.

I've been a mouse connosoir of sorts for the past couple years, but I always come back to the Apple mouse... for 2 reasons:

1. It is the only mouse that my wrist or arm never gets tired on. I have no idea why this is... personally, I think it's because of the single click and it allows my hands (which are larger than average) to rest on the mouse in a neutral way. I've tried all kinds of double button... triple button mice, and all of them strain my arms. Even when I switch back and forth between hands to alternate which on is working.

2. I've come to love control clicking! I feel it is a more whole brain experience. This is a subtle feeling, but it at least gets my other hand on the keyboard and closer to keyboard shortcuts.

The only device I would like to try that I haven't is one of the Expert Trackballs. I've used the thumb and small trackballs but they strained my arm.

The only thing I wish Apple would do, is make a larger mouse for people with larger hands.

I continue to try other mice, because I think that there is something out there better... the end all and be all of mice... but maybe it's already in the palm of my hand?

ўў

There is another pointing device I would like to try... the Roller Mouse.

http://www.safecomputing.com/rollermouse_station.html

To solve my single button track pad issues I use a piece of software called SideTrack. It adds enormous amounts of functionality to an otherwise vanilla trackpad. The edges of the track surface can be configured to act as a scrolling surface (horizontal and vertical). The mouse button and track surface tap can be reconfigured (for me the button acts as a left click, a tap to the pad a right click). Even corner taps can be given separate functionality.
http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/sidetrack/

I was a system administrator for a wintel company. I noticed most of the users use only the left click and are not aware of what the right click does. So, one button do fine with most users.

However, at home, I am using a Kensington three button mouse with a scroll wheel for my iBook. Somehow I am not able to get use to using mousepad though my wife is pretty at ease with the pad.

I agreed with Jon's "Tech savvy people, graphic designers, programmers, those who make a living on their living with their computer, they know the difference and use multi-button mice. But they know the difference, and they will buy what ever they want anyway."

I do user support on PC's all day long. You would be astonished at the number of people who are unable to grasp the concept of using the right mouse button.

You have figured it out (and yes, they'll pry my Kensington Turbo Mouse out of my cold dead fingers) but trust me, there are huge swaths of computer users who haven't got a clue. That's why Macs still ony have one button.

Of course, there's always a lower strata of users, the ones who need the StupidaMouse:

<http://www.dumbentia.com/pdflib/stupida.pdf>

But when I used OS 9 I couldn't live without FinderPop, which popped up the contrextual menu without the control key, simply by holding down the mouse button for the requisite amount of time.

Like Spring-loaded folders (click and a half), it's a bit odd at first but soon you wonder how you lived without it.

There are OS X programs that do the same, but the writer of FinderPop parted ways with the Mac about the time OS X came out.

Personally I like the Macally beastie, very little delay, wakes up really quickly and recharges its on spare set of batteries. Feels good in my hand too.

For desktops, one button isn't a big problem. It's slightly irritating to be left with an unused mouse once you replace it with <insert favoured device here>, but that's not a show-stopping flaw. And as has been pointed out, many inexperienced users drive with a single button anyway.

The problem is powerbooks. These are professional machines, and can expect to be used by professional users, and they still only have 1 button. If someone can tell me how to remove the button and replace it with two-buttons, I'd love to hear it. IMO, apple should put two buttons on the things and have a software switch to enable 1 or 2 button mode, defaulting to single button mode.

Insert non-mac anecdote:

One of my friends did tech support for a company selling PC software. One user could never get the software to work. It turned out that they were using the software with a left-handed mouse, and then clicking the main mouse button - which was now the right button. The software didn't know how to handle right-clicks, and would fall over in a heap. Bad PC software design combined with potentially ambiguous input device = trouble.

Geesh, don't any of you ever need a hand free while at the same time wanting to control-click something? What, nobody drinks java or beats it to porn?