“I think it’s safe to say that Apple Computer, Inc. makes the best one-button mouse in the world. Yes indeed, Apple’s Pro Mouse is truly a joy to use … for about five minutes. After that, most folks over the age of five unplug the thing, put it in a drawer and hook up a two-, three-, four-, or five-button mouse so that they can get some real work done,” Steven Disbrow writes for MacDevCenter.
“Given Apple’s recent attempts to woo Windows users to the Mac platform, it’s a wonder that Apple still doesn’t offer a mouse with two (or more) buttons, not even as an option for ‘switchers.’ This would be a very smart move because if there’s one thing that Window users love, it’s right-clicking on things,” Disbrow writes. “You see, in Windows, clicking the second (also called the ‘right’) mouse button on an object almost always brings up a special menu containing options directly related to the object on which you are right-clicking. For example, right-clicking on a disk will bring up a menu allowing you to format the disk, eject the disk (if it’s a removable disk), or rename the disk, among other options. These special menus are called contextual menus because their contents depend on the context in which they were invoked. (For example, you get a slightly different menu if you right-click on a folder rather than a disk.)”
Disbrow writes, “Now, it’s true that the Mac OS has had the ability to pull up a contextual menu or two for a while now. (I believe it was Mac OS 8 that introduced this ability.) But with Apple selling us nothing but one-button mice and forcing us to hold down the Control key when clicking (called “control-clicking”) to invoke a contextual menu, or to install special drivers to use a two-button mouse, it’s always seemed more of a “Me too!” implementation than a real attempt to catch up with this very cool Windows feature. Fortunately, with the release of Mac OS X, that changed in a big way!”
Disbrow goes into Mac OS X Contextual Menus in some depth here and, in Part 2 of the article coming Tuesday, he’ll show you how to create your own contextual menu items using Apple’s Xcode.
Apple should “unbundle” the worthless unimouse from Mac hardware. I have a collection of these worthless things. The man hit the nail on the head.
Yes, why on earth doesn’t Apple have a 3 button option? OS X directly supports it, so keeping a 1 button only line-up just seems like beligerance now!
And Shake requires a three-button mouse. Go figure.
Bowing to overwhelming whingers, I propose a compromise mouse: add one button on both sides (let’s not forget lefties) which when pressed while the pro-mouse is clicked-down serves as the control key does — instant contextual menu.
Then, as you’ll whinge about the lack of a scroll wheel, make that button a wheel which can also roll. There you go, full Windoze function with the appearance of having no buttons [on top]. Call it the “Less is More” mouse — you heard it first here. �2004 (hehheh)
Me, I likes the pro mouse.
“Hit the nail on the head” is right. Apple is YEARS overdue in offering a multi-button mouse! Pretending that control-click is an equitable solution is just asinine. The multi-button mouse is yet another casualty of Steve Jobs’ arrogance and of his apparent “if it suits me, it suits you” attitude towards Apple’s products. I often wonder what amazing products we’d see from Apple if it’s employees were free to create without having to fear a prima donna leader.
I think for some, the uni-mouse would still suffice. However, for “pro” users, a multi-button mouse is needed. On that note, they should bundle an Apple designed multi-button (either 3, or 2 with scroll….or maybe the rumored scroll wheel mouse) with the powerbooks and G5s. Uni-mice with the eMacs, iMacs, and iBooks. It’ll be available separately as well, of course.
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Yes, somethings are really screwed up with Apple. They don’t offer an option of changing the mouse. They introduced a bluetooth keyboard, but when you order any machine (Power Mac G5), you cannot substitute the regular keyboard and mouse with bluetooth enabled ones, even if you configure your PowerMac to have built-in bluetooth.
They want you to buy the bluetooth keyboard and mouse as additional items. Go figure.
>I often wonder what amazing products we’d see from Apple if it’s employees were free to create without having to fear a prima donna leader.
Windoze
one button till the day i die……(or it dies).
I dunno. If Apple were to introduce a two-button mouse now, years after the PC world, there would be much made of it from wintel users. “See! We’re better than Apple! Look, we had two-button mice before…they’re COPYING us!!!”
I think they should just keep it as is. Or maybe introduce one, but very quietly, none of the usual fanfare.
IT guy.. on the bluetooth thing.. you need to set up a new computer with a usb mouse and keyboard because bluetooth ones would need to be installed first. you can’t set up a new mac with bluetooth peripherals. i think i read it in a knowledge base file once.
So all the issue for the mouse is having a Apple branded multi button mouse?
I still do not get it. For the majority of Mac users the one-button and using the keyboard is enough. Users *truly* needing a multi-button configurable one still go for specialized multi-button (5+ and scroll-wheel) programmable mouse. So a basic two-button or three button (a retail value of $19 in some cases) is all people is talking about?
It is not the case that having an Apple branded two/three button mouse suddenly new functionality would be available so what is the deal for Apple?
Just because a small percentage of users would like it just for the heck of it?
As I said, a two/three button mouse is not enough for pro work (media work) and adds nothing to functionality. I believe Apple has this very clear in perspective: pro-users, to whom the multi-button would be targeted, would buy a special one anyhow. Hence, the case rests on vacuum.
umamug? uhu? what are you talking about? Just switch on the bluetooth peripheral and use it. There is nothing to install.
And seems the point on the mouse issue is still missed. The FUD is: Apple does not support multi-button mouse, Windows does.
False: Apple supports out of the box anything, Apple simply does not manufacture a multi-button mouse. It gives you for free a one-button mouse.
Windows has instead hardwired OS NEEDS for a 3 button mouse. It does not support keyboard multi-button emulation and without 3-butts a user cannot work. They have been shrewed enough to turn a limitation into a feature.
mind, I am not saying Apple will never do, I am saying the issue is discussing about Angels’ sex. The real issue is: people would like to have a free three-button mouse or be able to order one on the Apple site at time of ordering their computer. So it is matter of *free one* or *Apple branded*.
Apple marketing surveys show them that a slim % of its users would care.
For Windows switchers, they have already their multibutton mouse: they just need to plug it in in order to use it.
Click and hold takes time — how about a detent in the clicking action — click and press down further through the detent to act like a control-click? Still has the no-button look. Call it the “Less is Less” mouse — � 2004 (heheh). Now add a contoured trackpad on the pointer and mid finger areas to act like a scrollwheel — slide your finger up and down as you require…and maybe even sideways.
Ewww! Back after a cold shower.
Less, you may have that trackpad already. Just a matter of visiting versiontracker, get the driver and configure which area you want to use as scroll in the trackpad.
For just a few $’s you put a scroll-mouse to the MAC……..it is a non problem.
I have nothing to add to this topic… Microsoft has nothing better on us. It’s the PC manufacturers that choose what mouse they want to put on their systems. If anything, Apple is giving 3rd. party vendors a break (like Logitech, Kensington, MacAlly & etc.) This is such a non-issue.
Steven Disbrow, SHUT UP! But a mouse and SHUT UP!
So what? Buy a multi-button mouse if you want one and shut up, you whiner. Or maybe buy a PC and dance like Ballmer when it arrives. If your only gripe in this world is the mouse that you use you are indeed a loser.
I personally feel that the best mice on the market are made under the Microsoft label/brand. I have used Intellimouse Explorers for years. The two buttons on the left side for the thumb are great for back/forward shortcuts, along with the wheel acting as a button. And the shape is an excellent fit for my hand.
It’s the only Microsoft product that I recommend to other people.
Mind you, I’d still like to see Apple attempt a multi-button mouse as an accessory – like the wireless keyboard and mouse.
btw, I’m actaully left handed and find using a mouse in my right hand more comfortable as I can continue to write at the same time if need be. It’s one of the reasons I find it strange that rigth handed people don’t use the mouse with their left hand actually.
For me I find moving my finger left and right all the time unpleasent (at least in this context) and a strain on my finger joint and wrist ligaments- over years this will tell take my word. As for buttons on the side I found I was nudging artwork all over trhe place with these things and trying to contort fingers to avoid it. I prefer control clicking cpompared to any present alternative I have tried, simply getting used to it isnt a good option I feel. However I can’t deny that on occasions scroll wheels and contextual menu buttons do make sense. So what we need is a better option that has the advantages of both without real compromise. Apple I believe are working on that, the iPod scroll wheel concept I suspect will evolve. Whether it will work we shall see. Otherwise an altenative multi button mouse should in all common sense be made available for those who prefer it.
“hook up a two-, three-, four-, or five-button mouse so that they can get some real work done,”
Oh my word, how silly.
I guess I’m dating myself, but I was a developer for Mac in 1985. Anyone remember Lisa/Pascal? Apple spent $10 mil back then in user interface research with actual people before introducing the Mac. They found that new users were confused by multiple mouse buttons. I suspect that still applies. Unless, of course, you’re a windoze type going in…
yeah.. i’m getting tired of compromise.. give us better mice damn it..
i’m serious..
i’m tired of clicking and holding.. for like 5 seconds for Mac oS x to context menu me…
apple… come on…you’re already embracing context menus.. just give us option of 2 btn mouse already..