[FTrain]

I've read things in the past that indicate to me that die-hard Mac fans consider the idea of adding a right-click or a wheel to a mouse to be anathema. I just got an iMac and I'm not saying I would trade it for a PC because of a mouse, but I use a PC at work, and I do notice myself going for the right click and the wheel at home and miss the convenience. So, why do Mac fans consider these things to be sins, and if they don't and I've just misunderstood, is there any chance Apple's developing them? And regardless, there must be a principled reason they've been avoided this long--anyone have any idea why?

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Reason? Just to be different maybe? Many claim that more than one mouse button is 'too complicated' and that there are inherant benefits to using only one. Personally I can't stand using a one button mouse and I like having a scroll wheel too much to do without. At any rate, with the Mac, you have the choice of 'either/or'.

Just get yourself a decent third party mouse that has multiple buttons and a scroll wheel and be done with it.

[Paco500]

It's odd, because you can just see Steve Jobs behind the one button mouse- it's the kind of detail you could easily picture him getting hung up on. But the NeXT systems all came with two button mice.

I like that the MacOS does not rely on multiple buttons, I think for people like my mom, I just makes it easier. And for some odd reason I admire Apple for holding out on it.

However, I refuse to use anything but a kensington turbo-mouse with it's 4 buttons. The scroll wheel just never did if for me though, when ever I have had one, I was always forcing myself to use it, it never came naturally. I have only used on on Win2k, so I don't know if it's better supported on the Mac, but I found it to be inconsistant as well. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't- that frustrated me.

I guess it would be nice if Apple made a multiple button mouse as a build to order option. Sure we can buy a third party, but that's extra money and ine unused mouse.

Paco

[-Q-]

Probably related to Steve's zen-like obsession with minimalism (who else would have developed the cube concept?) than actual functional reasons, although I tend to agree with Paco500. It is an easier concept for my mom to grasp than "now right click here, no, right click..."

I think for people starting out on computers, it works fine. For the intermeidate user, it starts to be a little limiting. And for the advanced user, fuhgeddabouit. But I guess that's why there are third-party peripheral manufacturers....

And I can't live without my scroll wheel.

[scaught]

Originally posted by Paco500:
<STRONG>It's odd, because you can just see Steve Jobs behind the one button mouse- it's the kind of detail you could easily picture him getting hung up on. But the NeXT systems all came with two button mice.
Paco</STRONG>

wow. thats a very interesting point ive never thought of. i dont really know why apple continues to use a single button. for years it was for simplicity, but to be honest, i think we'd be hard pressed to find someone who thinks ctrl click is easier than a second mouse button.

it will be really interesting to see what the next generation apple mouse looks like.

i guess i use my one button mouse (apple pro mouse) cause its what came with my computer, it works well, it feels nice, its cool looking, etc. i ctrl click what needs to be ctrl clicked, but use alot of hotkeys and apple - key combos like a good mac user should. i dont really feel like i need to purchase a different mouse for my mac. im quite comfortable with the pro mouse.

but at work ( a dell running win2k) i have a 2 button mouse with a scroll wheel that i use to its fullest extent. i dont really use hot keys and instead find myself using the mouse alot more. i dont really confuse the 2 experiences any and never feel for my scroll wheel on my pro mouse.

[ringo]

I always find it ironic that I plug my MICROSOFT mouse into my APPLE iBook to use the APPLE software (os x) to its fullest potential.

Yet Apple sells a "Pro" mouse with only one button.

[fulmer]

Originally posted by ringo:
<STRONG>I always find it ironic that I plug my MICROSOFT mouse into my APPLE iBook to use the APPLE software (os x) to its fullest potential.

Yet Apple sells a "Pro" mouse with only one button.</STRONG>

well the pro mouse and pro keyboard come with the consumer desktop systems (imac, not counting that terrible hockey puck mouse years ago).

go figure.

[rambo47]

Apple's insistance on sticking with a rediculous 1-button mouse is assanine. If more than one button is confusing for some one then that person has no business operating a computer. Or anything for that matter. My grandmother is 82 and knows the difference between the right and left mouse buttons.

Every time I hear some idiot say, "One button is enoug for me" I just want to smack them. Right across the chops. With their one-button friggin' mouse. Morons. I can only attribute this decision by Apple to stick with such a crap idea to ego. And when ego overrides brains, watchout. Next you'll hear, "One GHz is enough." Or "A 133 MHz bus is just fine."

[Gene Jockey]

I don't think there's anything wrong with multi-button mice. I've got a Logitech Optical mouse with a scroll wheel I use at home, best thing I ever got for here. Makes reading threads easy At school, I use a Sun 3-button mouse which is wonderful as it works when I'm in X-Windows using Framemaker. Best of all worlds, I tell ya. Besides, I just don't think the Apple Pro mice are very comfortable to use, number of buttons aside.

--J

[Cipher13]

Originally posted by rambo47:
<STRONG>Apple's insistance on sticking with a rediculous 1-button mouse is assanine. If more than one button is confusing for some one then that person has no business operating a computer. Or anything for that matter. My grandmother is 82 and knows the difference between the right and left mouse buttons.

Every time I hear some idiot say, "One button is enoug for me" I just want to smack them. Right across the chops. With their one-button friggin' mouse. Morons. I can only attribute this decision by Apple to stick with such a crap idea to ego. And when ego overrides brains, watchout. Next you'll hear, "One GHz is enough." Or "A 133 MHz bus is just fine."</STRONG>

Agreed.

Jobs doesn't put another button because HE doesn't want it. That's all that matters - him.

It is definately the minimalist philosophies to blame.

It's quite dumb. But hey, that's Apple.

"Lets get rid of the reset button, for simplicity! Now, hold the Power button for 3.2 seconds to reset, 5 to shut down, and press to sleep... ahh... much simpler."

Idiots.

[lavar78]

Every time I hear some idiot say, "One button is enoug for me" I just want to smack them. Right across the chops. With their one-button friggin' mouse. Morons.

I'm not a moron, but I honestly prefer the one-button mouse. I am a recent convert from Windows (bought an iBook in October). When I gleefully decided to replace my PC with a new iMac, I was all set to use my Intellimouse - until I visited the Apple store and played with the Pro Mouse. It's nice, fits my hand perfectly, and elegant. As hard as it is for you to believe, some people actually prefer a one-button mouse (and, like in my case, they might not even know it).

[slider]

I personally don't like the one button mouse and I think the idea is out dated. If you like the one button, just use one button, that is simple enough. I don't on the other hand believe anyone is an idiot for using a one button, if it suits you great. I had to buy a new mouse with my new system. Not too crazy about dropping extra money, but that is how it goes. And who know, we could see a multibutton mouse in Apple's future. The really sad things is that it would be news. But look at the progress, you can go to that Apple Store right know and pick up a brand new one button mouse in your choice of black or white, what are you complaining about, black or white.

[DaedalusDX]

Originally posted by Paco500:
<STRONG>
However, I refuse to use anything but a kensington turbo-mouse with it's 4 buttons. The scroll wheel just never did if for me though, when ever I have had one, I was always forcing myself to use it, it never came naturally. I have only used on on Win2k, so I don't know if it's better supported on the Mac, but I found it to be inconsistant as well. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't- that frustrated me.

Paco</STRONG>

I recently replaced my Pro mouse with a Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro. I went from a one button mouse to one with 11 buttons.... LOL. 4 regular buttons that i can assign clicks to (like the one Paco500 has) and 6 Quicklaunch buttons to get to web pages and applications quickly, plus a scroll wheel.

After nearly 6 months with the Pro mouse, I found i needed the extra buttons. It just makes thing that much more productive. I use the right click all the time in OS X.... Don't get me wrong, the Pro mouse served me well. I would never buy one though; it came with my computer.

Why do I think that Apple still bundles a one button mouse with all Macs? Simple. They want to ensure that third parties keep Mac support for all of their products. Microsoft has drivers written for OS X and their Intellimouse as does Kensington because those 3rd parties know that a whole bunch of people will eventually replace the Pro mouse with something more functional.

Hey, its Apple. They have their own ways of doing things. Same goes with the iPod, which they provide no protection for straight out of the box. It get scuffed up beyond belief, but Apple doesn't even include a cheap case or a belt clip of any kind... that way, third parties will jump to create new stuff just for it... I've got my case from Xtrememac.com.

[Ron Goodman]

A beta driver for the Logitech mice was just posted. Works fine.