Two Button Mice?

[arn]

Spymac claims that Apple will be releasing two-button mice in the future:

Two-button mice have been developed at Apple and are scheduled for an introduction during the second half of 2002.


Historically, Apple has only provided one-button mice... due to human interface issues, dating back to the beginning. Written by Jef Raskin:

While I was the first PARC-savvy person at Apple, Larry Tesler was the first PARC employee to join the company. At first he was strongly opposed to the Mac's easier-to-use mouse methods, and I eventually wrote a memo that showed, point by point, that the one-button mouse could do everything that PARCs three-button mouse could do and with the same number or fewer user actions. It was faster and more efficient, and much easier to learn and remember how to use. I had observed that people (including myself) at PARC often made wrong-button errors in using the mouse, which was part of my impetus for doing better.

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<font size=2>Related Articles: [url="http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,39773,00.html"]Wired: Eek! A Two-Button Mac Mouse?</font>

[stoid]

As long as they don't have stolen photos, I might just believe them. I don't think their credability could stand another flarge scale failure!

[teabgs]

I was discussing that Apple should do this with a friend not less then an hour ago. Lots of people use the one button thing to say that "Macs Suck". Also, I have come to like the 2nd button and scroll at work.

I'd like to believe this rumor...but its from Spymac so...

I really think it would be a great BTO at Apple store. It would look so much nicer then the Logitech I'd have to get otherwise.

[madamimadam]

I don't even know why I am wasting the time commenting on this. If you read the article you will notice that they have no support for their far out claims. The "related article", which would have been what SpyMac based most of the info on, talks about how Apple is going to sell a 2-button and/or scroll wheel mouse because they are offering support for multi-button mice in Cocoa and later in Carbon.

Of course they are offering support... Apple tries to offer support for as many commonly used technologies as they can. Along with multi-button mice, they are also supporting the many other types of controller that are used all the time in gaming especially. Gamers love the extra buttons and Apple is trying to get more of them on the Mac.

[Mr. Anderson]

Why would Apple go and change their whole one button concept?

If you want more than one button, go out and get another USB mouse with more buttons - its not that expensive.

I use a wacom tablet with a 4 button mouse (but I only really use 2) I bought the intuos for the tablet features, not the extra mouse buttons.

[MacAztec]

No scrollwheel?!? What is that all about? IF apple is going to make a 2 button mouse, they should have SOME sort of scrool wheel.

[Choppaface]

nO NOETNOWE TOJE#%U@#()%()@*!()#$*()_!@#&*!#&!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate two button mice SO much

they better make everything compatible with their existing one button USB optical mice....I like my one button mouse

[Beej]

If Apple were to make a two button mouse with no scroll wheel... I'd get very upset. >(

They could stick with the one-button mouse concept, but offer a two-button mouse as well. That way people who want one button can have it, people who want two can have it.

If I could buy an Apple two-button mouse, I would. But I can't, so I just use the one-button mouse my Mac came with. I bet a lot of people would buy the Apple two-button mouse and retire their old 3rd party mouse.

[Macette]

Say it ain't so... one is enuff for me.

[madamimadam]

Jesus Christ, you people read a rumour with no credit to it and you go stupid. As if any of this is true; maybe it would be if Apple was trying to lose its identity but somehow I feel that the recent movement of the company suggest differently. All Apple has done is add support for multi-button mice so you can buy one from your local store and plug it in without having to worry about fidely drivers and incompatibilities. And, Choppaface, seriously, come on, as if Apple would drop support for the one button mouse.

[cleo]

When I was debating my recent move to the Mac platform, the mouse issue was foremost in my mind. But you know... after a month using my beautiful white Pro Mouse, I think I'd stick with it even if Apple did offer a multi-buttoned mouse. After the first couple of days, I haven't once longed for a second button. The only use of the right button that I kind of miss is the fast access to cut and paste, but it's just as easy to drag a snippet of text to the desktop and plop it back in whenever needed. And anyway, it's so cool to be able to hold a donut and use my mouse with my wrist while the phone is in the other hand!

[teabgs]

Originally posted by madamimadamtimallen
Jesus Christ, you people read a rumour with no credit to it and you go stupid. As if any of this is true; maybe it would be if Apple was trying to lose its identity but somehow I feel that the recent movement of the company suggest differently. All Apple has done is add support for multi-button mice so you can buy one from your local store and plug it in without having to worry about fidely drivers and incompatibilities. And, Choppaface, seriously, come on, as if Apple would drop support for the one button mouse.

I dont think that anyone BELIEVES it. That doesnt mean we can think about IF it were true. If people want a two button mouse why not have it as an option? Shoudl 3rd party companies get all the money? If apple got the money for the mice that 3rd parties do theyd have agood deal of extra cash. An Apple 2 button mouse would be great for many people.

[madamimadam]

Originally posted by teabgs


I dont think that anyone BELIEVES it. That doesnt mean we can think about IF it were true. If people want a two button mouse why not have it as an option? Shoudl 3rd party companies get all the money? If apple got the money for the mice that 3rd parties do theyd have agood deal of extra cash. An Apple 2 button mouse would be great for many people.

Aaahhhh.... now we have useful conversation instead of crying over something not true. Instead of getting rid of the 2-button mouse, making an option would be GREAT. I think, if they made a 2-button like the 1-button I would buy it. Like that one that someone was showing off that they bought recently that requires you to roll your hand left or right. I think a mouse like that would be a good option.

[Taft]

Putting the issue of the rumor's credibility aside for a sec...

Raskin kind of ticks me off. Some of his theories have merit, but he is totally fanatical and unwilling to accept any idea other than his decent.

As far as I'm concerned, the original studies they did at Apple could have been less than perfectly setup. Its like a psychology experiment: a very difficult thing to do right and accurately. Unlike Mr. Raskin, I think there is room to improve upon the original Mac interface and the one button mouse.

For example, I get up tomorrow morning, pop a bagel in the toaster and then sit down to check my e-mail and check the front page of MacRumors. Mind you, I'm eating a bagel while doing this. Left hand is on my bagel and near my coffee mug, right hand on my two button mouse with scroll wheel. I have my toolbar in OmniWeb closed so as to maximize my viewing area.

I can now use my mouse to click my favorites, scroll, click on links, move items to the trash, right-click on documents to access the back button, r-click to save an image, r-click on the saved image in the Finder to show info, move items in Mail to other folders (like my word of the day e-mails from MW and dictionary.com to my WOTD folder), r-click on the dock for faster access....

And it all takes less time than going to the menu bar, grabbing for the scroll wheel, or opening that tray thingy on the side of the Mail window. I do it without the use of my left hand.

I wouldn't give up my other button and the scroll wheel ever. Not ever. And I think I'm way more efficient with these features. Maybe Raskin is just aiming at the lowest common denominator of Mac users...

Just my opinion.

Matthew

[blackpeter]

Once and for all - Apple will remain true to the 3rd party. Not to mention that one button mousing in one of the oldest Apple traditions.

[eyelikeart]

now we all know u either take what SpyMac says for total b.s. or with a grain of salt...

I honestly hope we don't start seeing 2 button mice coming from Apple...

when u think about it....the 1 thing Apple prides itself on is "being different"...

I feel this would go against that whole philosophy of not giving in to what everyone else is doing rather than what everyone else isn't doing...

[j763]

I would love to see Apple release a 2-button mouse... However, they shouldn't ship a 2-button mouse as standard, stick with the 1 mouse button mice for the moment and sell the 2-button seperately.

i do find this hard to believe because spymac said it...

but i hope spymac get something right for once...

[dualburn001]

hey what about that stylish looking mouse that was on the forums a week ago and it is 2 button as well:
http://homepage.mac.com/sartono/PhotoAlbum21.html

[krossfyter]

screw the mouse concept PERIOD! they should come out with something totally different, more effective and self persuasive.

[mymemory]

With a two botton mouse I fell like my left harm is useless.

When I was using Alisa Power Animator, the extra botton in the mouse of the SGI (I gues it has 3) was so usefull because of the amount of menues and the amount of work to do.

A 2nd botton would be good but the Mac wouldn't be the same.

[Hemingray]

I just converted from a one-button mouse to a two-button mouse with a scroll wheel... and I'll never go back! It's a beautiful thing... I used to hate multi-button mice as well, being the diehard Apple fan I am... but man, when something is useful... for God's sake, USE IT!

Just my opinion.

[Xapplimatic]

OLD post.. digging up the dead! OSX has supported three button mice AND scroll wheels since 10.0!

OK, if human interface or reducing effort (work) was the aim of the interface device, then the mouse gets a resounding D rating all across the board.. A track ball with at least two buttons and a scroll wheel is much less hand movement than any mouse of any configuration.. Properly shaped, a trackball means no arm, elbow, or wrist movements, just fingers make the effort. It is one less way to get carpal tunnel syndrome--not to mention makes more efficient use of desk space.. Apple should release something like the Macally optical trackball, but cool Apple styled.. maybe an Aqua ball instead of a red lighted ball.

[teabgs]

Originally posted by Hemingray
I just converted from a one-button mouse to a two-button mouse with a scroll wheel... and I'll never go back! It's a beautiful thing... I used to hate multi-button mice as well, being the diehard Apple fan I am... but man, when something is useful... for God's sake, USE IT!

Just my opinion.

I whole-heartedly agree. Though I still use the one button mouse, I will switch over when I get a new computer.

Being different because its good is apple, being different just to be different is stupid. 2 button mice are so much more efficient now. Maybe years ago it wasnt, but it is much better. Took me a long time to convince, but its the way to go.

[GeeYouEye]

Originally posted by Xapplimatic
OLD post.. digging up the dead! OSX has supported three button mice AND scroll wheels since 10.0!

OK, if human interface or reducing effort (work) was the aim of the interface device, then the mouse gets a resounding D rating all across the board.. A track ball with at least two buttons and a scroll wheel is much less hand movement than any mouse of any configuration.. Properly shaped, a trackball means no arm, elbow, or wrist movements, just fingers make the effort. It is one less way to get carpal tunnel syndrome--not to mention makes more efficient use of desk space.. Apple should release something like the Macally optical trackball, but cool Apple styled.. maybe an Aqua ball instead of a red lighted ball.

Erm.. No. Trackballs, for all their ergonomy (is that a word?) suck. You can't use them after eating without washing your hands cause if you do, it's weekly or worse cleaning. This is why the trackpad is about the best form of control I can think of.

[edenwaith]

Several months ago I read a tech magazine which featured the creation of the mouse. Most of the article described Apple's design of the mouse. In a typical Steve Jobs fashion, he expected the people trying to create the mouse to simulate what PARC was doing, but at a fraction of the cost and with better performance. That seems like going up to a new car manufacturer to create a new car which runs off of solar power and costs less than $5000 (or less). But there was a big hub-bub about the design of the original Apple mouse and maintaining one mouse button.

Personally, I like having a mutli-button scroll wheel mouse on all of the Macs I use since I enjoy the scroll wheel and being able to right-click on items.