Comments on: One-button Mouse Users: Read This

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.

By: Rick Meikle

Rick Meikle — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:22:19 +0000

Different strokes for different folks. If you already use keyboard shortcuts, which means your left hand is comfortably poised (i.e., relaxed on a wrist rest) over the lower left corner of the keyboard, it is hard to see why anyone would argue (or care) if you don’t right-click. Arguing efficiency doesn’t cut it; a left-hand keyboard shortcut is at least as efficient, usually more so.

Unfortunately, newer keyboard shortcuts are becoming more awkward. Instead of giving more thought to keyboard ergonomics, developers may be counting on users to right-click.

Yes, I use a 1-button mouse. I’ve been using one as a full-time freelance designer since 1987. In all that time I’ve never had a repetitive stress or fatigue issue. Why would I want to “fix what ain’t broke” when keyboard shortcuts and an untaxed mousing hand work beautifully?

(A good keyboard, an adjustable keyboard/mousing tray, wrist rests, an ergonomic chair, and correct monitor elevation are all critical considerations ahead of any ergonomic benefit–if there is one–from extra mouse buttons.)

The added functionality of the scrolling pea, however, is very worthwhile. And a Wacom tablet is unbeatable for many purposes. But that’s beside the point, which is that it is a bit dogmatic to denigrate the 1-button mouse without context (if you can pardon the pun). In conjunction with left-hand keyboard combinations, it remains an entirely valid, even superior way to work for many users. For lefties and folks who simply won’t learn keyboard shorcuts, the 2-button solution wins out.

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” (Einstein)

By: Michael Trout

Michael Trout — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:46:20 +0000

We have one… on display under: “Most serious ergonomic offense thrust upon us in the last decade.”

I loathed those things. My wrist ached from mere minutes of use. First thing I did was go out and get a replacement. Thankfully, those abominations (opinion) were discontinued.

By: Jim O

Jim O — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:33:20 +0000

I wouldn’t dare use a one-button mouse to scroll through all these opinions.

If God meant us to use a one button mouse, we would have hoofs.

I’m not sure if sarcasm is being used by JT when typed: “Interface design research has shown that a two-button mouse is more confusing to new users, and is a kludge.” So what type of mouse does research show is best for experienced users that spend their professional time in front of a computer? Designers are not new users.

Are there any one-button mousers still using the hockey puck joke from around 2000?

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:34:14 +0000

David Blatner: As for me, I use a retinal recognition system that watches where I’m looking on the screen and then picks up EEG blips from my neocortex for when to click.

Back in the early days of the Mac (circa 1985 or so), there was a device you wore on your head that used your subtle head movements to move the cursor where you were looking so your hands never had to leave the keyboard. I never tried one, but the few reviews said it work extremely well, but you looked strange wearing the thing on your head.

By: Will A.

Will A. — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:31:49 +0000

I’m all for the one button mouse, it causes me to use my left hand for control clicking. Which helps me too not use my right hand only for eight hours a day.