The Apple Mouse - What am I missing?

[Vanteer]

Hi gang,
Well, after 25 years using PC's, I own my first Mac. The new G4 D1.44. Nice design, and since I am a long time UNIX developer, I think I can get into the Mac OS 10.2.

Anyway, my real reason for this post is to have a true Mac person tell me why Apple has, what I consider, the most useless mouse. Sure it looks pretty nice, but only one button? How have they gotten away with that?

I have already switched over the the MS IntelliMouse Optical 5 button mouse, and thank goodness that with the MS driver, it works like a dream, scrolls up and down web pages, left and right clicks, forward and back webpages, and 5 custom buttons I can configure for use with FCP.

Anyone want to buy a brand new sexy looking one button mouse?

Van

[acj]

Idiots and pros alike can get away with the one button. People who demand more can use the two button. My grandpa bought a cheapo PC, his first computer, when he was 86. He actually couldn't make his fingers differentiate between left and right clicking. He wouldn't have had this frustration on a Mac.

[strider42]

Originally posted by Vanteer
Hi gang,
Well, after 25 years using PC's, I own my first Mac. The new G4 D1.44. Nice design, and since I am a long time UNIX developer, I think I can get into the Mac OS 10.2.

Anyway, my real reason for this post is to have a true Mac person tell me why Apple has, what I consider, the most useless mouse. Sure it looks pretty nice, but only one button? How have they gotten away with that?

I have already switched over the the MS IntelliMouse Optical 5 button mouse, and thank goodness that with the MS driver, it works like a dream, scrolls up and down web pages, left and right clicks, forward and back webpages, and 5 custom buttons I can configure for use with FCP.

Anyone want to buy a brand new sexy looking one button mouse?

Van

You have to go back to apple's original human interface guidelines as to why they ship a standard one button mouse. They just don't see why people shuold have to deal with lefta nd right clicking when one button will do everything. the global menu bar at the top of the screen eliminates the actual need to a 2 button mouse that is just about necessary on a PC and allows comands to always be in exactly the same place.

That said, many of us prefer multibutton mice, which is why apple has the functionality built into the OS. Especially in OS X, its aabsolutely seamless to put in a two button mouse. But for users who don't need all those extra things to remember, a one button mouse and using the global menu bar is more consistent.

So you see, there is some logic behind it. It just doesn't apply to all users.

[iGav]

It's all down to personal choice... I still get alot of use from my Pro Mouse...

But the majority of the time I use a Wacom Intuos2 tablet.... totally demolishes any mouse for creative and post work IMHO...... ;) :)

[Kwyjibo]

i also use an m$ mouse and it works great except when i'm in a finder window and try to scroll with the scroll wheel it does nothing. I loe the move but this lack of workingness bothers me. The other thing I love is that the m$ mouse have LONG CORD where as all apple parts have like one foot of cord and it sucks to move stuff around.

[markjones05]

Originally posted by acj
Idiots and pros alike can get away with the one button. People who demand more can use the two button. My grandpa bought a cheapo PC, his first computer, when he was 86. He actually couldn't make his fingers differentiate between left and right clicking. He wouldn't have had this frustration on a Mac.

lol thats sad...

[yzedf]

Originally posted by strider42
You have to go back to apple's original human interface guidelines as to why they ship a standard one button mouse. They just don't see why people shuold have to deal with lefta nd right clicking when one button will do everything. the global menu bar at the top of the screen eliminates the actual need to a 2 button mouse that is just about necessary on a PC and allows comands to always be in exactly the same place.

That said, many of us prefer multibutton mice, which is why apple has the functionality built into the OS. Especially in OS X, its aabsolutely seamless to put in a two button mouse. But for users who don't need all those extra things to remember, a one button mouse and using the global menu bar is more consistent.

So you see, there is some logic behind it. It just doesn't apply to all users.
How is cmd-click or fn-click or ctrl-click etc etc better/easier than right or left click? Sounds like a load of crap to me. My Amiga from 1987 came standard with a 2 button mouse.... The only 2 good reasons Apple still ships one button mice are: style, and to be different. (Notice this has nothing to do with usability)

[melchior]

Originally posted by markjones05
lol thats sad...

computers are a skill. no computer on the planet is intutive. as is no car. the absolute basics of computing are physical interaction (keyboard and mouse) don't think because you picked itup fast everyone will. not everyone can drive without a bit of learning.

[gopher]

Mac OS X has two button and scrollwheel mouse support. Just plug in any USB mouse, and off you go. If you want more functionality add the third party drivers of that mouse. Both Logitech and Kensington make their own Mac compatible drivers.
There is USB Overdrive which is a nice shareware to enhance mice functionality as well.

[funkywhat2]

Originally posted by yzedf
How is cmd-click or fn-click or ctrl-click etc etc better/easier than right or left click? Sounds like a load of crap to me. My Amiga from 1987 came standard with a 2 button mouse.... The only 2 good reasons Apple still ships one button mice are: style, and to be different. (Notice this has nothing to do with usability)

Click and hold is pretty damn easy though, isn't it?

To be user friendly everyone has to be able to use it out of the box. I have a part time job doing in-home computer training, and I work mostly with elderly people. I once tried to teach someone the whole left-click, right-click thing, and it was Hell on Earth for both of us. Eventually, I just told her to open the window and click on whatever option she needed. Then, I tought someone with an old Performa. She had a hard time with her trackball, but the one button on it was simple enough. She cought on almost immediately. And she's more than content with waiting half a second to click and hold, instead of control clicking.

[MarksEvilTwin]

Removed

[comrade]

Originally posted by markjones05
lol thats sad...

Ragging on some guy's grandpa, yeah...that's cool.......

I guess I don't have to take you seriously, ever.

[Mblazened]

I think apple likes to take away as many buttons as possible, in order to minimize the potential for the user to start jamming on the buttons when the system starts to hang. Think about it: no button to eject cds, no restart buttons on current macs, one button mouse... Less buttons to push makes you less likely to press them impulsively. I know that when i'm waiting for the crosswalk to turn, i'll press the button 20 x at least, even when i know that it won't do anything.

-m

[strider42]

Originally posted by yzedf
How is cmd-click or fn-click or ctrl-click etc etc better/easier than right or left click? Sounds like a load of crap to me. My Amiga from 1987 came standard with a 2 button mouse.... The only 2 good reasons Apple still ships one button mice are: style, and to be different. (Notice this has nothing to do with usability)

you miss the point. You don't have to use the right click at all. You can use the menu bar. There's nothing you can't do with the menu bar, thats why its there (notice its missing in windows, which is why they need the right click more). Thats how the human interface guidelines work. If they don't work for you, you simply add a two or more button mouse. whats the big deal. I think it would be cool if apple offered an optional two button mouse with scrollwheel, but then everyone would still say its not as good as their three button mouse or 4 button mouse. its a lot easier to teach people who know nothing about computers one button rather than two, especially when the second one is entirely redundant with the global menu bar.

Its not about it being easier all the time. Its about it being consistent. There are lots of things in this world that make things a lot easier once you know how to do them, but they are very hard for those how don't know how, or at least confusing. the one button mouse makes things mroe consistent for new users, and you can just add the two button mouse if thats what you like to use.

And what does your amiga have to do with anything? its a totally different system with a totally different set of priorities.

I have a two button mouse with scroll wheel and forward and back buttons for my browser myself. I love it, but the one button mouse isn't there just for style. there was a thought process behind it. Just because you like having more buttons doesn't mean you should just say that everyone should feel the same way you do.

[Doctor Q]

For absolute beginners to a GUI, a single button is easiest. As a beginner gains experience, he/she can learn to use more mouse buttons and modifier keys. The other extreme is to use a mouse with many buttons (example: the Contour Design ShuttlePro (http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/)). But the more buttons there are, the more a beginner thinks he/she has to learn, and the more fear it produces, even though anyone can be told "just ignore those extra buttons until you need them." Right-clicking is more convenient than Control-clicking, but the advantage of a one-button mouse is that you don't have to know anything about right-clicking or Control-clicking on your first day learning to use a GUI.

In previous decades, most computer purchasers were newbies, so Apple's simplicity philosophy was more appropriate. These days, the percentage is much lower - I'll bet that most computers are purchased by people who've used one before. That's why I think Apple's one-button mouse is out of date. A two-button or three-button mouse with a scrollwheel would be more appropriate for most computer buyers.

[hesdeadjim]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
For absolute beginners to a GUI, a single button is easiest. As a beginner gains experience, he/she can learn to use more mouse buttons and modifier keys. The other extreme is to use a mouse with many buttons (example: the Contour Design ShuttlePro (http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/)). But the more buttons there are, the more a beginner thinks he/she has to learn, and the more fear it produces, even though anyone can be told "just ignore those extra buttons until you need them." Right-clicking is more convenient than Control-clicking, but the advantage of a one-button mouse is that you don't have to know anything about right-clicking or Control-clicking on your first day learning to use a GUI.

In previous decades, most computer purchasers were newbies, so Apple's simplicity philosophy was more appropriate. These days, the percentage is much lower - I'll bet that most computers are purchased by people who've used one before. That's why I think Apple's one-button mouse is out of date. A two-button or three-button mouse with a scrollwheel would be more appropriate for most computer buyers.

Actually, it isn't only for beginners. My mom, who my no stretch of the means a beginner (she use to run all her finances on an original Mac), still can't distinguish between a left and right click on her PC. Mind you she has had this PC for almost 4 years. Hell, she still double clicks website links. My girlfriend's mother is in a similar boat. Both would benefit from a single button mouse. Also, my mom does realize what the right click does, but she would never use it unless she absolutely had too.

The biggest deal with the one button mouse is that PC users aren't use to it (God knows I wasn't). In fact, a lot of PC users don't ge the whole one button thing, which is fine. They always can get a nicer mouse.

[kettle]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
That's why I think Apple's one-button mouse is out of date.

I think anything but a one button optical puck is out of date.
Bring back the puck so that I can control my mousing with a thumb and two fingers. I want my arm, wrist and edge of hand to remain on on the table whilst manouvering the mouse like a cross-section of a fat pencil.

Anything less is a step backward.

The second button should be part of yer keyboard shortcuts that you'd still need even if you had a five button mouse. One button optical puck with bluetooth, thankyou.:)

[Adurbe]

I must admit the one button apple pro mouse never left my unable to do anything.

HOWEVER

my family have had two of thses mice and both developed a connection problem where the cable reces the mouse itself. In fairness my one got quite a beating from me but my mothers was treated like gold and hers broke too..

I now use an intelli mouse

[ewinemiller]

First the puck mouse with the Bondi blue and then the pro mouse from my quicksilver went to the kids to play with. I'm hooked on MS mice.

[Kwyjibo]

Originally posted by MarksEvilTwin
"Yeah, whoops, we've been wrong all that time, two buttons it is, folks! Our bad!"

Mark

Its kind of like after centuries of proof when the Catholic Church finally admitted the world was round....

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by kettle
I think anything but a one button optical puck is out of date.
Bring back the puck so that I can control my mousing with a thumb and two fingers. I want my arm, wrist and edge of hand to remain on on the table whilst manouvering the mouse like a cross-section of a fat pencil.
When I use a round mouse, I find it hard to keep it facing the right way because there's no tactile way to know when it is straight. I have to divert my eyes from the screen to align the moues with the cord facing away, or notice that cursor movement is skewed because I have the mouse pointing slightly north-northeast or north-northwest. Whether one button or two (I have some of each, depending on computer), none of my mice can be round.

[alexlai5050]

Yea i think the apple pro mosue is a biit crap as well
i have a 12 inch powerbook and bought a black pro mouse the cord cant even fit over to the other side but now i have a macally small mouse its so small
gr8 for on the move

[MacRumorSkeptic]

People fail to realize that because its just 1 big button the Apple Pro Mouse is the easiest on the wrists and fingers. I'm a graphic artist who spends long hours on the computer and love that I can position my hand in whatever way feels comfortable.

It would be nice if Apple could find a way to add an extra button and scroll wheel to the mouse ( wireless of course ) without losing its comfort.

[Doctor Q]

I can solve the input device issue with two words: foot pedals. We use our feet when we drive a car. We use our feet when we play the piano. Why are they under your desk or table doing nothing at all while your hands are trying to deal with mouse buttons and modifier keys?

[idkew]

Originally posted by strider42
You have to go back to apple's original human interface guidelines as to why they ship a standard one button mouse. They just don't see why people shuold have to deal with lefta nd right clicking when one button will do everything. the global menu bar at the top of the screen eliminates the actual need to a 2 button mouse that is just about necessary on a PC and allows comands to always be in exactly the same place.

That said, many of us prefer multibutton mice, which is why apple has the functionality built into the OS. Especially in OS X, its aabsolutely seamless to put in a two button mouse. But for users who don't need all those extra things to remember, a one button mouse and using the global menu bar is more consistent.

So you see, there is some logic behind it. It just doesn't apply to all users.

which is exactly why apple should allow the more demanding users an apple option for 2button/scroll wheel mice.

[ebow]

Originally posted by kettle
I think anything but a one button optical puck is out of date.
Bring back the puck so that I can control my mousing with a thumb and two fingers. I want my arm, wrist and edge of hand to remain on on the table whilst manouvering the mouse like a cross-section of a fat pencil.

Kettle, I've never thought of the puck mouse as ergonomical, but your description of use is intruiguing... Are you saying that you use it with your hand on-edge, as if you lowered it to the desk after shaking someone's hand? I saw a piece on TechTV explaining how that wrist posture is so much better for you. And here's the mouse they said is more comfortable to use: http://www.evoluent.biz/ .

[idkew]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
I can solve the input device issue with two words: foot pedals. We use our feet when we drive a car. We use our feet when we play the piano. Why are they under your desk or table doing nothing at all while your hands are trying to deal with mouse buttons and modifier keys?

at work that could be done, but at home i rarely sit forwards in my chair or have my feet on the ground.

[bobindashadows]

Originally posted by comrade
Ragging on some guy's grandpa, yeah...that's cool.......

I guess I don't have to take you seriously, ever.

Perhaps i am the only positive person here, but I interpreted the comment by markjones as a chuckle at the comment at the way acj phrased his grandfather's condition, and then offering condolences by saying it was sad that his grandfather had that problem.

[scem0]

personally, I can't live without a scroll wheel and a right click,
but if I had never used a multifunction mouse I probably wouldn't
mind the pro mouse.

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by idkew
at work that could be done, but at home i rarely sit forwards in my chair or have my feet on the ground. OK, I'll modify my proposal: Instead of foot pedals, home users can use Mac Slippers with motion sensors. They are fuzzy, with Jaguar heads (not bunnies) on the toes. You move your foot in a certain direction to control the computer.

Today I'm using a one-button Apple mouse on the right of the keyboard and a PowerMate (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/) on the left (with an IceMate (http://www.macmice.com/icemate_1.html) under it). That's two-handed control, but still not the four-limbed control you'd get with foot pedals and slippers.

[springscansing]

I love the pro mouse. I have a MS explorer optical trackball, and a kensington studio mouse, and I use the pro mouse the most.

I am so used to ctrl-click, I ctrl-left click with the two button mouse anyway, haha.

The pro mouse is the best mouse made, IMO.

[5300cs]

I'd have to agree; I think the Pro Mouse is great too.

The fact that it is only one button doesn't make too much difference to me as I'm used to control-clicking- and I'm a switcher too. I'm also a Graphic Designer/Illustrator and spend 5-6+ hours per day in front of the computer. My hand rests quite comfortably on the Pro Mouse.

It's also dead-sexy. I have the white one, and with the iBook it makes a perfect match.

I wasn't a big fan of the CRT iMac mice. They were a little too small and used to get all twisted.

And those ultra small mice? Say hello to hand cramps and carpel tunnel syndrome.

[DakotaGuy]

Well I am probably about the only person that still uses the "hockey puck" on my iMac, but I guess I am too cheap to buy another mouse. ;o)

I do have a pro mouse that I use with my iBook at school and I like it, but I still sorta like my hockey puck, nuts huh?

I like the one button, control/click setup, after using Macs for years and years it feels pretty natural to me. I think however they should offer a mouse option with 2 buttons and a scroll wheel for people that would prefer that.

[Doctor Q]

I should have mentioned that the PowerMate scrollwheel works exactly as advertised, but that the IceMate (I got the clear one) produced very little of the light-enhancing effect they promise, despite their talk of "remarkable light transmission properties." It did fit the PowerMate perfectly, but I'm sorry I bought it.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by Abercrombieboy
Well I am probably about the only person that still uses the "hockey puck" on my iMac, but I guess I am too cheap to buy another mouse. ;o)

I do have a pro mouse that I use with my iBook at school and I like it, but I still sorta like my hockey puck, nuts huh?

I like the one button, control/click setup, after using Macs for years and years it feels pretty natural to me. I think however they should offer a mouse option with 2 buttons and a scroll wheel for people that would prefer that.

i could get over the 1 button thing really fast. they don't so much need a 2 button mouse as one with a scroll wheel. that has to be one of the more innovative designs in ergonomic computing in the last decade, if not the most. apple is really missing the boat there.

[alexlai5050]

yea i use control click on my 3 botton mouse but there no scroll whcih annoys me man
do all you guys just sit in front of the pc and just read this stuff
cus i cat do that i get to board
but im very greatful how much these forums help me

[sparks9]

THEY NEED TO PUT IN A SCROLLWHEEL!!!

[hiptobesquare]

For those who are looking for two button alternative mice to the apple pro mouse, try the link below.

http://www.macmice.com/mouse_1.html

I, for one would like a two-button scrolling mouse, but none of them on the market LOOK good enough to replace my pro mouse. I realize that it may seem superficial, and it largely is, but I have a g4 cube with a 15 inch ADC flat panel, and a powermate, and I don't want a pc mouse in the mix. I figure if I am going to spend my money replacing a perfectly good mouse, (which I have no problem with, actually) it is going to have to be better in every respect, including looks.

I hate to say it but the aftermarket mice just look like pc mice. The pro mouse looks and feels good, but as many here have said, those who want more functionality can have it. the macmice mouse looks like what apple should do with a two button, scrolling optical mouse (has a cord, but nothing is THAT perfect, yet) but who knows what the future will bring with bluetooth wireless technology.

BTW - replacing a broken Pro Mouse is 50$ (est), yet the macmice two-button mouse is less money for more buttons, something like 40$...

[hiptobesquare]

sorry for the duplicate post, I don't think I tried to post it twice, but navigating "back" may have accidentally done that.

-carry on

[melchior]

that does look quite sexy.... i might be tempted if it were not for the price >_<