iBook and Powerbook users do you use the trackpad as a mouse button?

[slooksterPSV]

I'm curious to see who does and who doesn't use the track pad to click the mouse instead of pressing the button on the iBook and PowerBooks. If you don't know about this setting its in System Preferences. I can click by tapping my finger on the track pad. I like that about laptops sometimes. Cause it's almost faster to do that than to press the button IN MY OPINON (that really does depend on what you're doing. Like me I can click links faster like that, instead of having to move my index finger or thumb to the click button)

Just curious.

[devilot]

I agree that enabling the finger tapping as a mouse click is faster computing for the most part; but I'm clumsy and I would go crazy accidentally clicking left and right so I'm very happy using my actual 'button' clicker thingamajig. :o

[gwuMACaddict]

oh gosh... i HATE that feature... i'm always clicking and screwing things up when i dont mean to... ugh

[zakatov]

NOOO, it's EVIL!!!! like MICROSOFT!!!!!

so I don't use it

[NEENAHBOY]

Just found what you guys are talking about. I used that feature for five minites, and it annoyed me to no end. So I go back to using the button.

[inlimbo]

I dont use it either. Looks like we are all to uncoordinated to use it! :p

[wongulous]

I keep my right index finger on the trackpad and right thumb on the button. It takes no extra time to engage my thumb. What are you guys talking about time savings?! :confused:

Also, I have disabled that feature. Same story--tried it for 5 minutes, resulted in too many unnecessary clicks, felt clunky, etc.

[terriyaki]

I use it and it works fine for me? :confused:

It only "clicks" when I *tap* on the trackpad.

Do you guys constantly tap the trackpad while you move your fingers around or something?

[Demon Hunter]

I absolutely love it... couldn't live without it. Drag-lock is a lot of fun too, once you ascend in your mastery. ;) It just feels natural since the 17" has such a huge trackpad. I still use the button though, I would say it's about 50/50.

[mkrishnan]

I don't care for tap to drag, but I do use tap to click. I also use sidetrack, so I have a corner tap set to the "right mouse button," and the right and bottom edges set to scroll. But to be honest, I use a mix of tap to click, the trackpad button, and the external mouse. Depends loosely on the situation, and also randomness, I guess. :o

[neocell]

I'm like most of the other posters, used it when I first got my PB (a little more than a year ago) couldn't stand it as I was clicking on everything, so now I just use the mongo button below the track pad. Have to say though that I love the iScroll option of two fingers on the pad for a right-click, use that option tonnes, as well as the scroll (which I guess all new books have). But no go for the on pad clicking for these uncoordinated appendages.

[AP_piano295]

I didnt notice that option thx for pulling it to my attention I like it

[Studawg7]

tried both and have stuck with the trackpad and button only scheme, no index finger tapping on my trackpad. i would always get too many non click clicks or whatever.

[dubbz]

I tried it for some time, but I just couldn't get used to it. It just feels "odd" (seriously, it just feels funny to tap the pad). I usually keep one finger on the button at all times, anyway, so I don't save any time either way.

[rccola70]

I've been using it since I got my iBook..a little something I brought over during the switch I guess...no problems really except trying to drag stuff..have to roll your fingers for precision... :rolleyes:

[tobefirst]

Add me to what seems to be the less popular group. I have the trackpad set to click when I tap. I don't use the drag feature though, but I didn't care for the trackpad very much when I couldn't tap.

[mduser63]

I hate that "feature." It always accidentally triggers and causes me to click things and drag things that I didn't intend to. I leave it off on my PowerBook, but when I use other people's notebooks (PC and Mac), it sometimes really frustrates me.

[xparaparafreakx]

I use both the trackpad the the button on the bottom. I think my mouse and trackpad are dieing since I been using the bluetooth tablet's pen to do my gaming. People say I have a super DS since im using the pen to play FPS games.

[slooksterPSV]

I use both the trackpad the the button on the bottom. I think my mouse and trackpad are dieing since I been using the bluetooth tablet's pen to do my gaming. People say I have a super DS since im using the pen to play FPS games.
Whoa, I can't use the pen to play games, not even on a DS, its just not comfortable cause I haven't used it for a whole week. That's about how long it takes me to adjust to a new controller. most of the time though, if its similar to another controller - like Xbox and Playstation - then I get the handle of it in about a day. Now I used PSX and XBX as an example cause the XBX controller is like twice as big as the PSX, but has a few less buttons. So don't take that the wrong way. Ok. Got it? ok, u sure? ok, just making sure. Still? ok good.

I hate the Nintendo GC's new controller. That, to me, just looks so horrible, half and half of a controller.

[portent]

I normally use a mouse with my PowerBook, but for when I'm mobile, I have the tap-to-click and the double-tap-and-drag options enabled.

I find it frustrating to try to drag anything while holding my thumb on the button (always cranking my wrist into odd positions) Since you can't have one without the other, I have them both on. I don't use the drag-lock, though.

And the scrolling trackpad rocks my world.

[Jsmit]

When I first got my PowerBook, I thought that I would love the tap to click feature. It turns out that I don't love it. I went back to using the button.

[ericssonboi]

I keep my right index finger on the trackpad and right thumb on the button. It takes no extra time to engage my thumb. What are you guys talking about time savings?! :confused:

Also, I have disabled that feature. Same story--tried it for 5 minutes, resulted in too many unnecessary clicks, felt clunky, etc.

Do exactly the same thing..
Two fingers on two different spots..
Or are you guys having difficulty multi-tasking?

[slooksterPSV]

The main reason I like it, is because when the trackpads came out, that is how I knew to click things with it. So using the button kind of felt a little cheap to me, like Apple couldn't develope a way to tap the track pad. But I'm going to get rid of it here soon because I keep slipping and hitting the pad and clicking on links I didn't want to go on. Yes I do harness my thumb over the button. and Have my forefinger over the track pad. So I'll be changing it.

[UTB_Avid]

I tap the trackpad. I guess I started using it when I was in school because my button seemed to click abnormally loudly and I didn't want to disturb my roomates sleep. Now I am really used to it and really appreciate it.

[yg17]

I love the trackpad tapping for clicks, but I always accidentally click when typing or something and it just screws things up so I leave it disabled. IMO, Apple needs to make it so you have to use 2 fingers for it to tap to be registered as a click to help prevent accidental taps. Say, 2 fingers for left click, 3 for right click. That would be awesome.

[MUCKYFINGERS]

I don't. I use the button for my clicks... I like having something "solid" to click and I don't like clicks by mistake.

I position my hand so that I use my middle finger and ring finger for scrolling, and I use the side of my thumb to use the button. It works like a charm! :)

[Chrispy]

I dont use it either. Looks like we are all to uncoordinated to use it! :p

So true for me as well :)

[Vanilla]

I personally happily use "Tap to click" and feel that it speeds up my interaction with the powerbook.

Each to their own of course but I do find it hard to understand those that state they accidentally click items when enabled. I've tried myself but cannot replicate this symptom.

Maybe some have very aggressive styles of using a trackpad that somehow mimics tapping in which case this function would not be for them.

vanilla

[carpe diem]

One word: NO
It is so anoying.

[GilGrissom]

One word: NO
It is so anoying.
Absolutely! I agree! :)

Stops those accidental clicks. Helps the 2-finger scrolling aswell.

[mkrishnan]

Stops those accidental clicks. Helps the 2-finger scrolling aswell.

So do a lot of people use the trackpad for two finger scrolling (my iBook is before that feature came out, and I paid for sidetrack / got used to it before iScroll came out, so I haven't really used it), but not for tap-click?

[yg17]

So do a lot of people use the trackpad for two finger scrolling (my iBook is before that feature came out, and I paid for sidetrack / got used to it before iScroll came out, so I haven't really used it), but not for tap-click?


I use it all the time when I dont have my external mouse plugged in

[California]

How come I don't know what you guys are talking about? Are you talking about using the "enter" button on the keyboard instead of the trackpad as an enter function? What "button" are you referring to -- the click pad on the track pad? Or are you talking about the new scrolling trackpad feature on the new iBooks? (WHich I don't have.)

Sorry so "newbie" of a question, though I'm not.

[slooksterPSV]

How come I don't know what you guys are talking about? Are you talking about using the "enter" button on the keyboard instead of the trackpad as an enter function? What "button" are you referring to -- the click pad on the track pad? Or are you talking about the new scrolling trackpad feature on the new iBooks? (WHich I don't have.)

Sorry so "newbie" of a question, though I'm not.
On powerbooks and ibooks there is a grey pad you run your finger over to move the mouse cursor (sounds so dos/windowish saying mouse cursor). You can set it up so when you tap that grey pad, it clicks instead of using the button that is below it. You can go to Apple's Website and look at the PB/iB's and see what I mean, unelss you have a PB or iB. You can change this setting though in the System Preferences under mouse/keyboard.

[GilGrissom]

So do a lot of people use the trackpad for two finger scrolling (my iBook is before that feature came out, and I paid for sidetrack / got used to it before iScroll came out, so I haven't really used it), but not for tap-click?
Ye I use it constantly and love it. Despite early reports that it was a bit buggy mine is perfect, once you've used it you never go back!! It makes using a conventional touchpad seem a real nightmare!

[California]

On powerbooks and ibooks there is a grey pad you run your finger over to move the mouse cursor (sounds so dos/windowish saying mouse cursor). You can set it up so when you tap that grey pad, it clicks instead of using the button that is below it. You can go to Apple's Website and look at the PB/iB's and see what I mean, unelss you have a PB or iB. You can change this setting though in the System Preferences under mouse/keyboard.

Oh. Cool! Had no idea! :)

[wozzlewoozle]

I kinda like it because I don't appreciate the click sound of the button on my pb, but as with many others the annoyance of clicking something unitentionally has lead me to turnit off. What I would appreciate is a silent button, perhaps a click-pad (patent pending, patent pending, patent pending).

[BiikeMike]

Its funny you bring this up. I just got a Powerbook a few weeks ago, and gave my girlfriend my old Dell laptop. I left the feature turned on on the Dell, and I have it turned off on my Pbook. I find it incredibly annoying. Now everytime she uses my computer, she yells about it. "Why can I just click on the Pad?!" She thought it was a Mac thing, she didnt realize that its a preferances thing :D

[mjstew33]

I use the mouse trackpad button thingy. I use it constantly. Couldn't live with out it. I also use the 2 finger scroll thingy, too. :o

[iEdd]

I use it for clicking and drag lock, although it is a pain sometimes...
And for those with white ibooks that don't have a scrolling trackpad, there is software that puts it in, I think it's called iScroll. It supports some powerbooks too. :)

[p0intblank]

I mostly use my PowerBook as my main computer so I never really use the trackpad. However, when I do use it in a portable manner, I always use the button. I can't use the trackpad... I always clicked by accident. :p

[achie25]

i don't use it. i also just got a wireless apple mouse and am messing around with that.

[BiikeMike]

i don't use it. i also just got a wireless apple mouse and am messing around with that.


I wish someone would come out with a bluetooth Trackball!

[ITASOR]

I keep my index finger on the trackpad, middle finger hovering above the trackpad for easy two-finger scrolling access, and my thumb on the button's button left corner so it's quieter when I click.

Because of this I have no need for trackpad clicking, just no need. I figure why turn it on and risk clicking on accident when i have my finger constantly on the button anyway. I've used it once or twice in a place where I need to be really quiet (and I use iSkin for quiet typing).

[GilGrissom]

I keep my index finger on the trackpad, middle finger hovering above the trackpad for easy two-finger scrolling access, and my thumb on the button's button left corner so it's quieter when I click.
This is a very good helpful tip!! Clicking the sides really does reduce the sound, and its a smoother click too! Nice find!

[shadowmoses]

No, trackpad as a mouse button is a nightmare in my opinion leads to many mistakes and odd clicks........I feel much more secure using the real clicker,

Shadow

[alexstein]

i hate using the trackpad as a clicker maybe i'm just one of those uncoordinated users. i always use the clicker when i'm one the go makes it much easier for me. on my station i'm hooked on my logitech mx1000.

[slooksterPSV]

I wish someone would come out with a bluetooth Trackball!
Ouch, I don't know of anyone that would buy that. Optical gives you more precision in my opinion. I can't stand TrackBall mice.

[alexstein]

Ouch, I don't know of anyone that would buy that. Optical gives you more precision in my opinion. I can't stand TrackBall mice.


*puts flamesuite on* i hate trackball mice as well they seem like a thing of the past to me.

[slooksterPSV]

The other thing about a TrackBall Bluetooth mouse is it kind of defeats the purpose. The reason TrackBall mice do not work is because of the lint that gets on the rollers - basically from the rubber ball attracting all the dust on the whatever you put it on (table, mouse pad, etc). So if they can put BT w/ Optical and have it low power consumption, it's perfect.

[TheMonarch]

Turning this feature on was THE FIRST THING I did when I got my PB. Then the desktop picture etc...


I could not live without this. It feels so, so... Weird without it. Dragging something along the desktop feels strange after a couple of seconds using the button, but so natural with the trackpad...

[Demon Hunter]

Tap-click has been around since the PowerBook 520... which was the first laptop ever with a touchpad. So two innovations for Apple. :)

The delay of the tap-click is what keeps the button useful. :)



And the scrolling trackpad rocks my world.

I get so used to it I expect it to work on other laptops, only to be disappointed.

[BiikeMike]

I'm not talking about a ball mouse, I'm talking about a Trackball. I use an optical Logitech Trackball on my Desktop, and have no problems with lint. It has a plasic ball, not a rubber one....

I find optical trackballs way more precise than optical mice, and trackballs for laptops WAY more useful than mice for laptops. For a trackball, you can set it on you leg, on the couch, wherever you want to, and have full functionability. Not true with a mouse.

[After G]

iScroll 2 is great.
One finger + mouse button = left-click
Two fingers + mouse button = right-click
Trackpad click = third button
Two finger drag = vertical scroll

Don't need a mouse anymore :-)

[MrSugar]

I am with the people from the beginning of the thread.

I never use this "feature" it frustrates me to no end. I strictly stick to using the mouse button. However, a program such as side track for scrolling is quite useful.

[mad jew]

I don't use any scrolling on the trackpad and I have it set to recognise a tap as a mouse click. I'm used to it so it's easier for me, plus it's quieter for when I'm in public places. :)

[yamabushi]

I use a USB mouse with my iBook more often than I use the trackpad. I like the tap-to-click and scroll pad features when I use the trackpad.

I just don't work efficiently without a right click button. I am a single button mouse and trackpad hater. If it works for you, great. I would use the trackpad more often if there was a second button.

[devilot]

iScroll 2 is great.Yes but if you have Tiger then those features are built in (please correct me if I'm wrong). Or maybe... it's a new thing w/ the newer lappies. My 1.33GHz PB didn't have the built-in capabilities so I used iScroll, but my new iBook has it all built in.

[mad jew]

Yes but if you have Tiger then those features are built in (please correct me if I'm wrong).


I don't think it's Tiger per se, but rather the newer 'Books that have inbuilt scrolling. My original iBook G4 running Tiger doesn't seem to have any scrolling trackpad features. :(

[kretzy]

I love the tap to click feature. In fact, when I first got my powerbook, it was not turned on and I was worried it wasn't available (then I found the system pref). I find it really convenient, having to press the button seems to take longer. But the thing I really love is two-finger scrolling!!!!! It's the best feature I've ever seen on a trackpad.

[kasei]

I rarely use the button. I always use the trackpad. I also use Sidetrack so all of the corners of my trackpad have functions.

[Palad1]

Finger tapping became a second habit, I need a PC keyboard with a trackpad now :D

[Whistleway]

I hate this clicking thingy on trackpad. It annoys me as hell, but, I am keeping it on, hoping that I learn it eventually.

But this trackpad must be the ****** design apple ever made or something like that. It hurts my wrists like crazy. Maybe i am using it the wrong way? Is there a guide on how to place my wrists while using this trackpad?

Thanks.

[mkrishnan]

But this trackpad must be the ****** design apple ever made or something like that. It hurts my wrists like crazy. Maybe i am using it the wrong way? Is there a guide on how to place my wrists while using this trackpad?

Apple has an ergonomics website (http://www.apple.com/about/ergonomics), which I actually did not find super informative. :(

Here are some suggestions that I found helpful...but they're not expert advice, so if someone who does ergonomics can chime in.... :D

1) Look at your wrists when you are typing and when you are using the trackpad. if you draw a straight line along your forearm, does your hand continue along this line (i.e. is your wrist straight), or is there an angle between hand and arm (usually, you will be bending your hands to the outside of your body, that is, so that your forearms are converging, but your hands are parallel at the keyboard/trackpad).

2) If this is the case with both keyboard and trackpad, try moving the whole computer farther away from you on the table. This will tend to straighten your wrists. You may find it much more comfortable to have the keyboard much farther from you than is commonly seen, especially if you have long arms.

3) If it only happens with the trackpad, try holding your arm in such a way that your elbow is out away from your centerline, your hand is at roughly a 45 degree angle to the horizontal or vertical direction on the trackpad, your wrist is straight, and neither your hand nor your wrist are resting on anything. It may be awkward at first because your hand's will be tilted on the trackpad, but once you get used to it, it should not be onerous....

[wide]

i like it, but it's not really faster for me because it does not work 100 percent of the time like the actual button does and also b/c i always keep my thumb on the button when working without an external mouse. i love the two-finger scrolling though, use that all the time.

[Whistleway]

Thanks mkrishnan for your help. ;), I will try to follow it.

[iEdd]

I don't think it's Tiger per se, but rather the newer 'Books that have inbuilt scrolling. My original iBook G4 running Tiger doesn't seem to have any scrolling trackpad features. :(
I'm pretty sure you can add it to any white ibook. All G4s, anyway. Search for sidetrack and iScroll2 :)

[GilGrissom]

I'm pretty sure you can add it to any white ibook. All G4s, anyway. Search for sidetrack and iScroll2 :)
Yes, but the new models come with it hardwired in as default fully intergrated into the system, no need for extra downloads. Not sure if this makes it any better than the programs you suggested though! No doubt they're just as good! And mean you don't have to buy a new iBook/PowerBook!! (if you need an excuse not too that is! hehe! I'd always say yes to new Apple hardware! :p )

[mkrishnan]

Yes, but the new models come with it hardwired in as default fully intergrated into the system, no need for extra downloads. Not sure if this makes it any better than the programs you suggested though! No doubt they're just as good! And mean you don't have to buy a new iBook/PowerBook!! (if you need an excuse not too that is! hehe! I'd always say yes to new Apple hardware! :p )

Sidetrack offers a different system, much more like what is used in Windows...so you can get two-directional scrolling via edges (it doesn't do two-finger scrolling). It also allows for corner taps to be programmed to keys or alternate mouse buttons. I really like it a lot.

As for iScroll 2, I also believe it offers some options that are not included in the Apple system along the lines of right clicking with two fingers (which sounds like a real nicety).

But having it integrated is nice. :)

The circular scroll is a neat idea. It'd also be neat if there was a mode where putting two fingers down on the trackpad acted like the grab hand tool or the Mighty Mouse scroll ball and scrolled in arbitrary directions.

[cal6n]

Sidetrack rocks. I have it on both my PBs, using it in preference to the 2 finger scrolling built in to my 1.67. I really dislike using the trackpad to mouse click but the corner taps in sidetrack are great. I have the top 2 set up for previous and next in safari and the bottom crners set for exposé and ctrl-click.

[OutThere]

I hated that feature with a passion until I turned it on for a few days...now I never use the button. It takes a little finessing to get your technique of moving the mouse without clicking and clicking without moving the mouse down, but it's worth it in the end.

On the subject of trackballs, they're also my favorite thing, I use a Kensington optical orbit when I'm at my desk. :)

[GilGrissom]

Sidetrack offers a different system, much more like what is used in Windows...so you can get two-directional scrolling via edges (it doesn't do two-finger scrolling). It also allows for corner taps to be programmed to keys or alternate mouse buttons. I really like it a lot.

As for iScroll 2, I also believe it offers some options that are not included in the Apple system along the lines of right clicking with two fingers (which sounds like a real nicety).

But having it integrated is nice. :)

The circular scroll is a neat idea. It'd also be neat if there was a mode where putting two fingers down on the trackpad acted like the grab hand tool or the Mighty Mouse scroll ball and scrolled in arbitrary directions.
Ah right...cool! Thanks for the info! May have to look into these extra programs for the extra things! I love the 2 finger scrolling on my PB, it works a charm!