Magic mouse middle button???

Question

Level 1

13 points

Magic mouse middle button???

Hi there,

got this mouse for Christmas, but to my amazement it doesn't have a middle button which I miss a lot... I have read other posts with suggestions about code written by other folks, but would like to know if there is anything new-reliable-stable around. Also, any chance of getting Apple to do it? I must confess I would not have bought it had I known it didn't have a middle button. I could always return it I suppose...

Thanks.

iMac 20", Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 25, 2009 2:19 AM

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Answer 1

erephas

Level 1

15 points

Jan 4, 2010 3:15 AM in response to Acetone.

Is there any way to make this middle button to work in Windows environment? You see, I've got to use some Windows CAD applications for education, where navigating drawings without middle click would be horrible.

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Answer 2

lakeshore

Level 2

306 points

Dec 25, 2009 7:48 AM in response to Sascha H-K

I have tried those MM supplements, and eventually trashed them. I think Apple knew what it was doing when it limited the MM to a few key gestures. Too many gestures on the MM surface will result in a lot of unwanted actions, especially if, like me, you tend to rest other fingers on the mouse while you're scrolling. For the middle click, you have dedicated buttons on the keyboard for Dashboard of Expose, and how often, really, do you use the middle click? For me, the lack of a middle click is a small trade off for the great things the Magic Mouse does and does well, like momentum scrolling. The supplemental software programs that add more gestures only make the surface of the mouse more sensitive to unwanted actions.

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Answer 3

arkadian Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 25, 2009 8:46 AM in response to Sascha H-K

Hi again,

I actually use the middle button to visualize the desktop and actually, yes, I find it quite useful. I do find it strange that they have chosen to move from a 4 button mouse to a more "ordinary" 2 one... (not that I have ever used the forth one).

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Answer 4

arkadian Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 26, 2009 3:55 PM in response to arkadian

HI,

I have tried both programs, the first one was MagicPrefs. Here the middle button worked a treat; no problems at all there. The downside is that I couldn't really get the hang of the various swipe/tap/click options. Tried a few, but given up (perhaps it is me).
Then I tried BetterThanTouch and here I found the middle button somewhat more awkward (so much so I was about to ditch the program), however the other functionalities are ever so much easier to handle. In no time I learnt to use up/down two/three finger swipe, right/left single tap and pinch in/out. I have managed to install them all on the mouse and can use them no bother at all. Now the temptation is to keep installing, but I think I'll wait for a bit.

The lack of buttons meant that at first I was quite disappointed with this mouse (and thinking of returning it, even if it was a present), but now (and NOT thanks to Apple) I think it is worth every penny as it is on a par with the macbook track pad.

For those with a MM (especially if you are used to a multi-button mouse), you've got to try these applications.

Message was edited by: arkadian

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Answer 5

Dec 27, 2009 6:31 AM in response to lakeshore

I use the middle mouse button quite frequently. Typically in Firefox to open a link in a new tab without having to reach for the keyboard, but mostly in Maya - a 3D modeling and animation program - for panning inside the viewport. I'll probably keep my Logitech Revolution around for such emergencies.

Otherwise it's a very nice mouse. There's still hope for an Apple-based middle-click, since it's become painfully obvious that it is a simple matter of software support.

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Answer 6

arkadian Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 27, 2009 10:55 AM in response to Sixcolors

Well, I am becoming BBT biggest fan. The guy who has developed has replied to a query I had, now I have the option to rotate the photos on iPhoto with a tap defined for that application (it was giving me unwanted side effects when it was defined as "global"). Gosh this application is SO good!!!
Why Apple has not done it beats me...

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Answer 7

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,487 points

Dec 27, 2009 11:29 AM in response to arkadian

arkadian, why are you beating up on Apple. They often introduce a new technology and then let the 3rd party folks have at it. Some do it for money, others for the love of it. But whatever, we all benefit.

Dah•veed

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Answer 8

arkadian Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 27, 2009 12:17 PM in response to Dah•veed

Hi David,

because without the extra software, IMHO, the mouse is not worth the money (and it is NOT cheap). There must be a reason why Apple have not come with a "finished" product. Perhaps the extension doesn't work well on some models, but still... if I pay megabucks I do expect good value for money (well, I suppose that always applies:)

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Answer 9

Dec 27, 2009 2:25 PM in response to lakeshore

The middle button is used frequently in CAD programs. I will probably return mine because of the horrible tracking and acceleration settings, and the lack of the middle button. I can't navigate my computer models in Google Sketchup or Vectorworks without the middle button.

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Answer 10

Acetone.

Level 1

81 points

Dec 27, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Khyber Courchesne1

These 3rd party apps show what can be done with the MM, I'm trying magicprefs at the moment just for the middle click. I found it works OK but you have to be quite precise were you actually click the mouse.

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Answer 11

arkadian Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 4, 2010 4:24 AM in response to lakeshore

MagicRefs is very good for the middle button, but I agree that the other functionality are far too awkward.
However, as I said before, I cannot recommend enough BetterThanTouch. I expect that in a short while I will be able to make jam as well with my MM.

Alas, I do not think any of these apps work on Windows.

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Answer 12

arkadian Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 9, 2010 8:37 AM in response to thechilibuddy

Hi,

all you have to do is link the appropriate shortcut (I have it defined in Preview and iPhoto) with a gesture of your liking. I don't think that a "rotate" gesture, like the one in the track pad, is defined; I use two finger tiptap right and left for Preview and tap right and left for iPhoto (planning to change that, but haven't done it yet).

If in doubt, ask on the BTT forum:)

Cheers.

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Answer 13

Mar 16, 2010 1:45 PM in response to arkadian

In case Apple is watching, I put another vote out for updated software giving us that middle mouse button.

It's such a pretty mouse I would hate to have to junk it simply because I'm lacking that last button. I'll check out the 3rd party software in the meantime.

lol - as a PC user I go, "I love 3rd party software it's always exactly what you need. You scale up your usability by adding the components you need as you need them." whenever I look at a mac though I've got expectations that "Mac should have gotten it right the first time because they're targeting us to be ready out of the box. They should even have extra features that I didn't think about." That's a tough bar they've set for themselves.

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Answer 14

tjtoed

Level 1

15 points

Dec 25, 2009 5:02 AM in response to arkadian

BTT - Better Touch Tool...

best app for magic mouse... turns it into a usable mouse...

http://blog.boastr.net/

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Answer 15

Dec 25, 2009 7:15 AM in response to arkadian

or magicprefs, for free ..

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