Comments on: One-button Mouse Users: Read This

By: David Blatner

David Blatner — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:20:51 +0000

@mikabika: See the comment in the blog post above about setting up the second mouse button with System Preferences.

By: mikabika

mikabika — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:04:51 +0000

I am running CS4 on Snow Leopard and have a two-button mouse, but when I try to right-click, no context menu appears. I also tried to control-click but I just get a basic pop-up menu with paste/zoom/hide grid/rulers/display etc. This is very distressing. Help!

By: Pete H.

Pete H. — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:59:32 +0000

In a poor shop, where we’re stuck (for now) with OS 10.3.9, I mouse with my left hand (and with my right at home – it works against carpal-tunnel). But I’ve found no way on Panther to switch buttons, so I use a Mac one-button mouse, that came with most of the computers in the shop, and the 1-Finger Snap System Preference Pane.

Like with iCab, when you hold the mouse button down for a period you set, the contextual menu comes up. It’s the best of both worlds – simple and easy. And for years (since 1993 actually) my right hand is near the arrow keys on the keyboard so I can scroll.

(At home I use a 5-button Logitech TrackMan, under Linux, with my right hand.)

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:02:22 +0000

OMG! That was so easy – thanks for a simple answer about how to right-click that stupid mouse. I hardly ever use the mouse since switching to Mac, and it’s been frustrating to not be able to just click it like my old pc mouse.

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:46:55 +0000

One of the reasons for the one button mouse being entrenched in the Apple world is that they have a “patent” on the one button mouse. Two get around that patent other manufacturers went to a multi-button mouse.

Hence the different camps.

By: KIMP

KIMP — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:30:25 +0000

“Yes, Mac users can always Control-click to view the context menu, but how often do you do that? Your other hand might be occupied by holding a phone, or a beer.”

Unfortunately I cant drink beer at work… but I do at home while working in Indesign.

It a matter of opinion and taste.

Control-click for me!

By: typehigh.nl

typehigh.nl — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 03:33:12 +0000

Oh my god, that ‘hockey puck’ from around 2000. That thing was so amazingly horrible. My hand would ache almost immediately when I had to use it. And since I have quite large hands, I had to position my hand so that it looks kinda like a spider… if you know what I mean… grabbing it with the tips of my fingers. Never again! I’m pleased that I can work with decent mice on both platforms now.

By: P Soteriou

P Soteriou — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:56:54 +0000

I used a one button mouse for 10+years.

Thankfully, that ended when I bought a new Mac. I’m surprised (even amazed) that there are professional designers who stick by a one button mouse.

The stock standard Mighty Mouse (actually a 4 button mouse) can be customised to suit the user e.g. scroll ball press = expose all open windows. That function in itself has saved me mountains of time and frustration. Move into the future! Take advantage of some of OSXs best features. Multi button mouse is the way to go!

By: David Blatner

David Blatner — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:25:22 +0000

Wow! I just got myself an Apple wireless Mighty Mouse (and bluetooth keyboard) and so far I’m really pleased. I never would have known about setting up that secondary “button” without Anne-Marie’s post. It really is a functional four-button mouse and works much better than I had expected.

Primary problem: A mouse requires cleaning off more space on my desk than my trackball.

By: Jeremy Baker

Jeremy Baker — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:53:35 +0000

Just wanted to put in my two cents worth. I use a G5 mac, and have a Belkin mouse with 5 buttons and a scroll wheel, which acts as one of the 5 buttons. I love its versatility. It has your main button your contextual button and then I have the other three set to activate expose. Button 3 all windows, button 4 application windows, button 5 desktop. So for all you one button users, I say the more the merrier. Up it to two OR MORE.