Why Apple?Why?

[Compile 'em all]

I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad. A couple of days ago I got to use my brother's MB. I found that it has this really cool two-finger right click feature. That is, when you tap with two fingers, it acts as a right click, really nice. What I don't understand though is why apple didn't release any kind of driver update for powerbook/ibook owners to enable such a feature.

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad. And as far as I understand, it is a software issue not a Hardware one.

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?. Is there a technical reason why this is not possible?. Any input is highly appreciated, Thanks :).

[clevin]

i tend to think its a hardware issue, otherwise, the upgrade of OS should solve it already.

[seanf]

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?This may be tehnically possible, but why would they want to provide another reason for customers not to buy their latest and greatest products?

Sean :)

[Compile 'em all]

This may be tehnically possible, but why would they want to provide another reason for customers not to buy their latest and greatest products?

Sean :)

C'mon. you think people will upgrade just to get the two-finger right click!.

[sushi]

C'mon. you think people will upgrade just to get the two-finger right click!.
Sure, why not?! ;) :p :D

[Killyp]

It all adds to the feature count. The MacBooks/MacBook Pros are better to live with than the iBooks/PowerBooks, and this is part of the reason why.

In fact the two finger click is one of my favourite features. I hate Winblows laptops where you have to awkwardly stretch your finger underneath at an odd angle to reach the right click...

[smueboy]

I too love the two-finger trackpad functions and wonder how i lived without them. I would have thought it was a software issue, but maybe the trackpad in the MBPs is different - it is certainly sensitive enough to discern three fingers from two.

[dpaanlka]

The earlier PowerBooks that work with iScroll all have ADB-based trackpads (yes, ADB!) The newer ones that don't work have USB-based trackpads. It's more likely the creator of iScroll is just too lazy or doesn't know how to write USB drivers (not entirely hard to believe, perhaps he was a career programmer back in the beige Mac days, but now does something else so doesn't keep updated on stuff...)

What I want to know is, is there a way to get this to work on other ADB PowerBooks (all the G3s and stuff).

[mjstew33]

The earlier PowerBooks that work with iScroll all have ADB-based trackpads (yes, ADB!) The newer ones that don't work have USB-based trackpads. It's more likely the creator of iScroll is just too lazy or doesn't know how to write USB drivers (not entirely hard to believe, perhaps he was a career programmer back in the beige Mac days, but now does something else so doesn't keep updated on stuff...)

What I want to know is, is there a way to get this to work on other ADB PowerBooks (all the G3s and stuff).

Wow I had no idea some PB's used the ADB, but I guess it does make since... for the n00bs to Macs, are the newer people to Mac... 1999+, ADB = Apple Desktop Bus, i believe. apple used the ADB connector for modems, kbs, mouses, etc.
I can check for you, dan... getting my PB G3 lombard working this week. :)

[dpaanlka]

Wow I had no idea some PB's used the ADB, but I guess it does make since... for the n00bs to Macs, are the newer people to Mac... 1999+, ADB = Apple Desktop Bus, i believe. apple used the ADB connector for modems, kbs, mouses, etc.
I can check for you, dan... getting my PB G3 lombard working this week. :)

Some iMac G3s still had serial ports hidden inside their plastic shells.

[seanf]

C'mon. you think people will upgrade just to get the two-finger right click!.No, I think it's just another small incentive on the list of reasons to upgrade.

Sean :)

[Roy Hobbs]

I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad. A couple of days ago I got to use my brother's MB. I found that it has this really cool two-finger right click feature. That is, when you tap with two fingers, it acts as a right click, really nice. What I don't understand though is why apple didn't release any kind of driver update for powerbook/ibook owners to enable such a feature.

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad. And as far as I understand, it is a software issue not a Hardware one.

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?. Is there a technical reason why this is not possible?. Any input is highly appreciated, Thanks :).


Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/

works like a charm

[lord patton]

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad.

Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/


not thinkin', not carin' :rolleyes:

[Compile 'em all]

Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/

works like a charm

Did you actually read my post that you quoted or read the first two lines in the site you linked to :rolleyes:.

"I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad."
"Scroll2 is a modified trackpad driver that adds two-finger scrolling capabilities to supported pre-2005 PowerBooks and iBooks on OS X 10.3 and up."

[mkrishnan]

Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/

works like a charm

You just don't actually read posts before you reply, do you? :p

I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad.

Note: Models that have two-finger scrolling already built-in are not supported! These use a completely different, USB-based trackpad, the driver or which is not available as open source.

I know Sidetrack (which isn't a two-finger system) works on both USB and ADB trackpads. So it *could* be done. As observed above... looks like the project team just doesn't have the time to invest in it. :(

(EDIT: Sorry, apparently I bring up the caboose of the flame wagon! :o )

[Compile 'em all]

not thinkin', not carin' :rolleyes:

I think I lost a couple of IQ points after I read his post ;)

[noaccess]

I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad. A couple of days ago I got to use my brother's MB. I found that it has this really cool two-finger right click feature. That is, when you tap with two fingers, it acts as a right click, really nice. What I don't understand though is why apple didn't release any kind of driver update for powerbook/ibook owners to enable such a feature.

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad. And as far as I understand, it is a software issue not a Hardware one.

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?. Is there a technical reason why this is not possible?. Any input is highly appreciated, Thanks :).

I know for a fact that the 2-finger right-click feature will be enabled for 2005-version iBooks and Powerbooks in Leopard. It is a software issue.

I've seen this on someone else's computer running 9a321. It was a Powerbook, the same version as yours. So, don't worry, you'll have that feature a couple of months from now :)

[Compile 'em all]

I know for a fact that the 2-finger right-click feature will be enabled for 2005-version iBooks and Powerbooks in Leopard. It is a software issue.

I've seen this on someone else's computer running 9a321. It was a Powerbook, the same version as yours. So, don't worry, you'll have that feature a couple of months from now :)

This is great news, thanks for the input :).