Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

m3macopc · Dec 14, 2003, 12:53 AM

Does anyone know why Apple is so insistent on staying with the one-click mouse? The only reason I can think of is that Apple is just being stubborn. I know if people don't like their mouse they can buy a two-clicker, but really, that extra step and money is ridiculous. Apple, just give it up!

dracoleb · Dec 14, 2003, 03:45 AM

I don't know about you but I get a lot more than one click out of my mouse. In fact I believe I have well over 1000 clicks. Seriously though, I can't count the number of times my mom has messed something up on the family PC by hitting the wrong mouse button then hitting some random thing in the menu, such as "delete" So a one button mouse is much more beginner friendly and if Apple doesn't supply them no one else would. Why would you go out and buy a one button mouse when you have a two button at home. It has been said time and again, if you don't like the mouse, buy a new one with as many buttons as you like. Personally I have a Logitech MX700 and couldn't be happier, and when on the road I am content with the one button on my iBook because ctrl is always in easy reach. I for one applaud Apple for putting the ease of the user first

zewm · Dec 14, 2003, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by dracoleb:
I don't know about you but I get a lot more than one click out of my mouse. In fact I believe I have well over 1000 clicks. Seriously though, I can't count the number of times my mom has messed something up on the family PC by hitting the wrong mouse button then hitting some random thing in the menu, such as "delete" So a one button mouse is much more beginner friendly and if Apple doesn't supply them no one else would. Why would you go out and buy a one button mouse when you have a two button at home. It has been said time and again, if you don't like the mouse, buy a new one with as many buttons as you like. Personally I have a Logitech MX700 and couldn't be happier, and when on the road I am content with the one button on my iBook because ctrl is always in easy reach. I for one applaud Apple for putting the ease of the user first

Same.

James L · Dec 14, 2003, 03:48 PM

'cuz it's to hard for you to hold down the control key?

..seriously though, this bugs some people, others could care less. I work daily between my mac, my pc, and a networked pc where the admin has blocked off the right click feature. I don't notice a difference at all when I work between the 3 machines. One I can right click on, one I can't, and the other I need to hold a key down while I click.... none of those things are out of my ability so I don't lose any sleep over it.

sniffer · Dec 14, 2003, 07:12 PM

What does this have to do with iBooks anyway? they have trackpads. BTW: I've never had any issues using only one button while using my iBook. I think it's a little about habits. Everything is so compact on the iBook, so the ctrl is very close. I can't see the iBook suffering from only one button. The desktop machines OTOH, THAT is another issue.
Later.

NYCFarmboy · Dec 14, 2003, 08:02 PM

The simple Apple mouse is quite necessary for those who have no computer experience.

I made the mistake of trying to convince my mother (who is 69) to use the 2 button/scroll mouse). It was just beyond her, and VERy confusing.

I myself wouldn't use a single button mouse again for anything, but they do have a very important use for those with very limited computer skills.

I noticed Apple quit calling it the "pro" mouse. It should be called the "amateur" mouse.

-Q- · Dec 15, 2003, 10:54 AM

Along with all those 'For Dummies...' books, the one-button mouse still has it's place. I can't imagine trying to teach my mom how to use a mac with amulti-button mouse.

Necrocool · Dec 15, 2003, 02:00 PM

... to take care of both worlds... keep the 1 button mouse and name it iMouse... make a new 2+ button + scroll wheel mouse called Pro Mouse... pro mouse should take care of switchers... grandma thinks two buttons are hard to use.. but PC users think one button is "hard to use"... do you want to sell computers to grandmas or switchers? or both? Damn you steve listen!!!#$*#)$)@#$#@)$*

Lateralus · 05:41 PM

What is it with you retards declaring a jihad on Apples one button mice? I mean, if you don't like it buy a multi-button mouse like everybody else does. And besides, no serious computer user sticks with the stock mouse anyways.

Get a grip.

...Oh yeah. And if somebody decides to go PC over Mac because of the mouse, all the better. I don't want somebody who is stupid enough to choose their computing platform based on mouse buttons using a Mac anyways.

dracoleb · Dec 15, 2003, 06:40 PM

Apple should not offer a multi button mouse. The people who need the one button mouse will have it. If Apple offers a multi-button mouse then no one, even people who can't use multi-button, would get the single button. No one really wants to admit that they can be confused with the multi-button. Apple is filling a role that no one else could.

Horts · Dec 16, 2003, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
What is it with you retards declaring a jihad on Apples one button mice? I mean, if you don't like it buy a multi-button mouse like everybody else does. And besides, no serious computer user sticks with the stock mouse anyways.

Get a grip.

...Oh yeah. And if somebody decides to go PC over Mac because of the mouse, all the better. I don't want somebody who is stupid enough to choose their computing platform based on mouse buttons using a Mac anyways.

Hey it was just a question no need to disembowel the kid, dont get into mouse denial. I dont think Mac would appreciate you calling potential custromers retards.

m3macopc · Dec 16, 2003, 01:45 PM

Agreed Horts. Hey, PowerMacMan, don't go into mouse denial. I know people can get their own mice, however that doesn't answer why mac insists on keeping the one mouse. And another thing, old grandmas are not the type of people who are buying macs. Mac buyers have at least some previous computer knowledge, rendering them capable of solving the 'daunting' two-click mouse. PowerMacMan, Checkmate.

deathvole · Dec 16, 2003, 05:53 PM

Echoing the stories of others, I'm constantly amazed at how often innocent non-techies get lost on a multi-button mouse. Having said that, it sure would be nice to have an Apple-branded 3-button+wheel mouse as an upgrade option. My 3-button Kensington Pilotmouse Optical is fairly nice, but in my gut I know Apple could make a functional work of art out of one.

I just spent a few days dealing with a relative who kept insisting I re-send an image as "an attachment" because they couldn't "get at" the picture in their email. Needless to say I couldn't figure out what the hell they were talking about, and strapped with deadlines didn't have the time to pursue.

They finally called me up in triumph, seems the Windows mail app in question required a *RIGHT* click on the image. You laugh, but for a lot of folks this stuff simply is not intuitive. Not even drag-n-drop.

So for the great hoards of Typical End Users (i.e. nearly any of one's relatives ;-) ) one button is indeed easier.

-DV, Dreading the day my mom gets a computer... :-P

deathvole · Dec 16, 2003, 06:00 PM

m3macopc wrote:
"... old grandmas are not the type of people who are buying macs."

Don't be too sure. I was a local Apple store recently (drooling over the G4 iBook that would soon be mine) when an old couple ambled in and began looking at an iMac. The man was grousing over the potential purchase and how computers are so complicated. The woman chimed in about how it was a Mac and therefore would be easy to operate.

Granny is our ally. :-)

-DV

Link · Dec 16, 2003, 08:13 PM

If you're on a laptop you can download a program that allows you to use the trackpad so that you have both right and left button functionality

I'm surprised nobody has posted the link YET! you might want to check both the ibook and powerbook forums for it..

vvedge · Dec 17, 2003, 06:58 AM

When I sucummbed to the PC back in the 90s, I didnt even realize there was a "Right-Click" for almost a few years. I considered myself pretty computer savvy back then...

It did make it extremely hard to play Minesweeper tho...

radarbob · Dec 17, 2003, 07:20 AM

Does anyone know why Apple is so insistent on staying with the one-click mouse?

It's a fundamental design feature of the Macintosh.

THE original mouse had three buttons; not Macintosh mouse; the original invention. The book Insanely Great by Steven Levy talks at length about the "mouse button war." The inventer of the mouse, Bill English, said "the one button mouse 'was a mistake.'" Apple designers found that with a two button mouse "people made a lot of mistakes." Additionally Apple took the double-click paradigm farther that anyone else; double-clicking to launch an application for example.

My experience, starting w/ the Macintosh SE in 1987, is that the 1-button mouse was great. VERY constant behavior and implimentation - in stark contrast to the PC where that "superfluous appendage" that is the second button was so inconsistantly utilized that it was effectively useless from the point of view of the overall system.

Yes, things are different today; but with the modifier keys the 1-button mouse is still viable. The problem today however- 1, 2, or 3 button meeses- is that software builders want to do so much with them that again, we don't know how to use them!

sniffer · Dec 17, 2003, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by vvedge:
It did make it extremely hard to play Minesweeper tho...

Lol!!

Took me some time to get it as well.

-Q- · Dec 17, 2003, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by m3macopc:
And another thing, old grandmas are not the type of people who are buying macs. Mac buyers have at least some previous computer knowledge, rendering them capable of solving the 'daunting' two-click mouse. PowerMacMan, Checkmate.

Bullshit.

You should see the new computer users, young and old, who don't have prior computer experience coming to our user group meetings. The one-button mouse is still needed for them. Once they figure things out, they can buy a more advanced mouse. Just like you.

WizOSX · Dec 17, 2003, 04:31 PM

One additional plus for the one-button mouse that no one has yet mentioned:

A few years back I ran into some nasty carpal tunnel problems with my right hand. My only solution then was to learn to use my mice with my left hand. But, of course, it occasionally kicks up too. When it does I stop using a 2+ button mouse and use my Apple Pro mouse for a while. The reason it is so much better for anyone with these sorts of problems is that you can constantly change where you are clicking so that you use your muscles slightly differently with each click. 2+ button mice force you to use exactly the same motion (and muscles) evey time because you must click in exactly the same spot. Holding and moving things around the screen is even worse.