3-button mouse

3-button mouse

[Russ Cox]

A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
use with plan9port, but the question might equally
apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
scroll knob.

Other mice I know of:

  * the Evoluent VerticalMouse
  * on OS X with appropriate hacking (as in plan9port),
    the Magic Mouse

Are there others?  For the purposes of this thread, let's say
that mice where you have to click the scroll wheel itself as
the middle button do not count.  They're a dime a dozen.
I'm interested in mice with an actual middle button.

Thanks.
Russ

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Joseph Xu]

On 05/04/2010 11:18 PM, Russ Cox wrote:
> A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
> about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
> use with plan9port, but the question might equally
> apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
> that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
> that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
> scroll knob.
>
> Other mice I know of:
>
>    * the Evoluent VerticalMouse
>    * on OS X with appropriate hacking (as in plan9port),
>      the Magic Mouse
>
> Are there others?  For the purposes of this thread, let's say
> that mice where you have to click the scroll wheel itself as
> the middle button do not count.  They're a dime a dozen.
> I'm interested in mice with an actual middle button.
>
> Thanks.
> Russ

I've never tried these (can't justify spending >$100) but they look
really nice.

http://ergo.contourdesign.com/products/product-detail.aspx?id=36

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[ron minnich]

On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 3:24 AM, Joseph Xu <josephzxu@gmail.com> wrote:

> I've never tried these (can't justify spending >$100) but they look really
> nice.
>
> http://ergo.contourdesign.com/products/product-detail.aspx?id=36
>

I'll let you know how it works, once I saw it was customized to hand
size that made the deal.

I love the web ordering site:
- no flash
- just black and white
- not a bunch of pictures
- just the information you need, no more

Who knew you could run a web site without AJAX? Could this be a trend?

ron

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Russ Cox]

> I'll let you know how it works, once I saw it was customized to hand
> size that made the deal.

When you get it, please tell us why it looks like there
are two parallel scroll wheels along the thumb.

;-)

Russ

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[ron minnich]

On Fri, May 7, 2010 at 9:03 AM, Russ Cox <rsc@swtch.com> wrote:
>> I'll let you know how it works, once I saw it was customized to hand
>> size that made the deal.
>
> When you get it, please tell us why it looks like there
> are two parallel scroll wheels along the thumb.

I got it.

It fits my hand well. In fact, I'm back to using middle finger for
middle button. It lets your hand stretch out. Still not sure but we'll
see.

On the side it's not quite two wheels. The top thing is a little
rubber non-switch which you can put your thumb against. Below that is
a switch that is front-to-back activated, not a wheel. It does nothing
for me in X.

So far, so good, although the mouse is about 1.5x the IBM/lenovo mouse
in both length and width. But that works for me.

ron

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Bell Labs Plan 9]

I've been buying IBM- or HP-branded mice such as
http://www.amazon.com/3-Button-Optical-USB-Mouse-black/dp/B000FLUSEM

>

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[erik quanstrom]

On Tue May  4 23:22:19 EDT 2010, rsc@swtch.com wrote:
> A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
> about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
> use with plan9port, but the question might equally
> apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
> that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
> that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
> scroll knob.

isn't this the same thing?  i just bought 8 last month
(and we're out again):

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=38&Code=31P7405&current-category-id=E6480EC4EE7D42A79F5F1C0940B163AB&&hide_menu_area=yes

i've been using a slightly older model.  it's just a tad wierd at
first due to the lit button that's best to reach over, but works great.

- erik

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Don Bailey]

Sun Microsystems USB 3-button mouse has always been my preferred mouse
for Plan 9. Still is. And they're cheap.

On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 9:52 PM, erik quanstrom <quanstro@quanstro.net> wrote:
> On Tue May  4 23:22:19 EDT 2010, rsc@swtch.com wrote:
>> A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
>> about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
>> use with plan9port, but the question might equally
>> apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
>> that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
>> that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
>> scroll knob.
>
> isn't this the same thing?  i just bought 8 last month
> (and we're out again):
>
> http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=38&Code=31P7405&current-category-id=E6480EC4EE7D42A79F5F1C0940B163AB&&hide_menu_area=yes
>
> i've been using a slightly older model.  it's just a tad wierd at
> first due to the lit button that's best to reach over, but works great.
>
> - erik
>
>

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[David Leimbach]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1293 bytes --]

Trackballs.... Kensington has a nice 4 button one with a scroll ring that
I've been very very happy with.

On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 9:41 PM, Don Bailey <don.bailey@gmail.com> wrote:

> Sun Microsystems USB 3-button mouse has always been my preferred mouse
> for Plan 9. Still is. And they're cheap.
>
> On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 9:52 PM, erik quanstrom <quanstro@quanstro.net>
> wrote:
> > On Tue May  4 23:22:19 EDT 2010, rsc@swtch.com wrote:
> >> A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
> >> about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
> >> use with plan9port, but the question might equally
> >> apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
> >> that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
> >> that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
> >> scroll knob.
> >
> > isn't this the same thing?  i just bought 8 last month
> > (and we're out again):
> >
> >
> http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=38&Code=31P7405&current-category-id=E6480EC4EE7D42A79F5F1C0940B163AB&&hide_menu_area=yes
> >
> > i've been using a slightly older model.  it's just a tad wierd at
> > first due to the lit button that's best to reach over, but works great.
> >
> > - erik
> >
> >
>
>

[-- Attachment #2: Type: text/html, Size: 2063 bytes --]

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[andrey mirtchovski]

> isn't this the same thing?  i just bought 8 last month
> (and we're out again):

that's the one. i have three of these but they never break, so i
should be set for quite a while.

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Akshat Kumar]

There is no better supplier of true
3-button mice than Uriel.

I use his Logitech 3-button mouse.


Best,
ak

P.S.: Considering air fare, I think there
is a fair bit of price inflation going on
here. Definitely not a bargain.

On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 8:18 PM, Russ Cox <rsc@swtch.com> wrote:
...
> Are there others?  For the purposes of this thread, let's say
> that mice where you have to click the scroll wheel itself as
> the middle button do not count.  They're a dime a dozen.
> I'm interested in mice with an actual middle button.
>
> Thanks.
> Russ
>
>

[9fans] 3-button mouse

[Fco. J. Ballesteros]

It's a click on the wheel, *but*, unlike others I tried,
it feels to me very much like an actual button. That is,
the wheel does not spin or feel like spinning when you click.

I'm talking about the logitech dinovo cordless.

> Are there others? For the purposes of this thread, let's say
> that mice where you have to click the scroll wheel itself as
> the middle button do not count. They're a dime a dozen.
> I'm interested in mice with an actual middle button.

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[EBo]

"Fco. J. Ballesteros" <nemo@lsub.org> said:

>
> It's a click on the wheel, *but*, unlike others I tried,
> it feels to me very much like an actual button. That is,
> the wheel does not spin or feel like spinning when you click.
>
> I'm talking about the logitech dinovo cordless.

you might also want to take a look at the logitech nano cordless which I have
been using for over a year and am VERY happy with -- particularly since the
wireless module only sticks out about 1/8" from the USB port, so you do not
have to worry about breaking it off...  Also, I used that mouse for hours a
day for maybe 6+ months to a year before thinking I should change the batteries.

  EBo --

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Stuart Morrow]

Perfit mouse.  I've never used one or anything, but it's what the
thread asks for.
http://www.contourdesign.com/

stuart

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Jonas Amoson]

I have used a Contour Mouse daily for over ten
years, without it failing me once. It is the old
model with a ball, and has a converter from RS-232
to PS/2. They are a bit pricey, but you can get
them in different sizes; mine is "Large" and
designed for left hand operation. The keys are
mirrored in hardware so you don't even need to talk
with /dev/mousectl for swapping buttons ;-)

For what ergonomics is worth, I love the larger
design that lets your whole palm rest on the mouse.

/jonas

Stuart Morrow wrote:
> Perfit mouse.  I've never used one or anything, but it's what the
> thread asks for.
> http://www.contourdesign.com/
>
> stuart
>
>

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Mathieu Lonjaret]

Hello,

Just one comment about the vertical Evoluent mouse (I bought one a few
months ago since Russ recommended them).

It can be pretty hard to get used to it. I had to force myself to try
it several times before I could stand using it. I think the main
reason is because you apply horizontal pressure when clicking and that
can make the pointer move unvoluntarily on your part. That gets pretty
annoying when it makes you fail at your chordings and you have some
code to produce.
Now I'm starting to really like it; I'd say one gets past the
annoyance if you manage to keep using it for a full day without
throwing it away for another mouse. In fact I'd recommend trying it
and starting to use it on day when it's not so important to be
efficient and you can afford to loose a bit of time to it. Sounds like
common sense now, but I think it's particularly true with that mouse.

Cheers,
Mathieu

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Devon H. O'Dell]

2010/5/6 Mathieu Lonjaret <mathieu.lonjaret@gmail.com>:
> Hello,
>
> Just one comment about the vertical Evoluent mouse (I bought one a few
> months ago since Russ recommended them).

I also recommended it in another recent thread on mice.

> It can be pretty hard to get used to it. I had to force myself to try
> it several times before I could stand using it. I think the main
> reason is because you apply horizontal pressure when clicking and that
> can make the pointer move unvoluntarily on your part. That gets pretty
> annoying when it makes you fail at your chordings and you have some
> code to produce.

I didn't really have this problem so much, but I run at a really low
DPI. I do notice that to avoid it, I put additional pressure on my
wrist, which is probably not a really great thing.

> Now I'm starting to really like it; I'd say one gets past the
> annoyance if you manage to keep using it for a full day without
> throwing it away for another mouse. In fact I'd recommend trying it
> and starting to use it on day when it's not so important to be
> efficient and you can afford to loose a bit of time to it. Sounds like
> common sense now, but I think it's particularly true with that mouse.

I do love this mouse.

--dho

> Cheers,
> Mathieu
>
>

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Ethan Grammatikidis]

Not quite what's asked for, but with my motor control issues I really  
shouldn't be able to chord at all, but most days I can with an odd  
little labtec mini-mouse.

http://www.labtec.com/index.cfm/gear/details/EUR/EN,crid=29,contentid=756
It's about £10-£12:
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=589

It's undersized and the middle button's a scroll wheel, it really  
ought not to work for me but it does. The wheel really feels like a  
button, although it is a very small button. It's much better than the  
last real 3-button mouse I had, and buttons 1 and 3 are better quality  
than any mouse I've used in years too.

On 5 May 2010, at 04:18, Russ Cox wrote:

> A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
> about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
> use with plan9port, but the question might equally
> apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
> that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
> that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
> scroll knob.
>
> Other mice I know of:
>
>  * the Evoluent VerticalMouse
>  * on OS X with appropriate hacking (as in plan9port),
>    the Magic Mouse
>
> Are there others?  For the purposes of this thread, let's say
> that mice where you have to click the scroll wheel itself as
> the middle button do not count.  They're a dime a dozen.
> I'm interested in mice with an actual middle button.
>
> Thanks.
> Russ
>

-- 
Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it. -- Alan Perlis

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Stan Barr]

On Wed, 5 May 2010 05:08:51 GMT, Akshat Kumar
<akumar@mail.nanosouffle.net> wrote:
> There is no better supplier of true
> 3-button mice than Uriel.
>
> I use his Logitech 3-button mouse.
>
>
> Best,
> ak
>
> P.S.: Considering air fare, I think there
> is a fair bit of price inflation going on
> here. Definitely not a bargain.

 Anyone in the UK can buy a 3-button mouse from CPC
 http://www.cpc.co.uk/   part no.CS0917201
 price 2.49 GBP plus vat. - about $4.50 for our us readers...

--
Cheers,
Stan Barr     plan.b .at. dsl .dot. pipex .dot. com

The future was never like this!

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[Lawrence E. Bakst]

1. FWIW I think the IBM/Lenovo mouse is still available. Type 31P7405 into Google Search and you get lots of options.

Is this really a 3 button mouse or is the scrollpoint the middle button? It really looks like a 2 button mouse from the picture.

NB I saw this in a review at the Lenovo web site:

"The basic flaw is the design or should I say quality control is very poor. Among two of the six I got, the base is not flat. They wiggle diagonally when you put it on a flat table, which is kinda very annoying making noise whenever you click."

2. The Logitech Model M-CAA43 P/N 811439-0000 was a great basic 3 button mouse, with 3 real buttons. It was PS/2 however. You can find them used if you look.
http://white-cube.blogzine.jp/nap/images/p2020068a.jpg

leb


At 8:18 PM -0700 5/4/10, Russ Cox wrote:
>A correspondent recently sent me email to ask
>about where to find a good 3-button mouse for
>use with plan9port, but the question might equally
>apply to Plan 9 proper.  I was disappointed to find
>that apparently IBM/Lenovo no longer sells the mouse
>that Andrey first alerted us to, with the big blue
>scroll knob.
>
>Other mice I know of:
>
>  * the Evoluent VerticalMouse
>  * on OS X with appropriate hacking (as in plan9port),
>    the Magic Mouse
>
>Are there others?  For the purposes of this thread, let's say
>that mice where you have to click the scroll wheel itself as
>the middle button do not count.  They're a dime a dozen.
>I'm interested in mice with an actual middle button.
>
>Thanks.
>Russ


--
leb@iridescent.org

Re: [9fans] 3-button mouse

[erik quanstrom]

On Fri May  7 21:41:59 EDT 2010, ml@iridescent.org wrote:
> 1. FWIW I think the IBM/Lenovo mouse is still available. Type 31P7405 into Google Search and you get lots of options.
>
> Is this really a 3 button mouse or is the scrollpoint the middle button? It really looks like a 2 button mouse from the picture.

yes.  it has a regular button in front of the blue thing.  the blue
thing is a scrolly thing.  i've learned to avoid it.

>
> NB I saw this in a review at the Lenovo web site:
>
> "The basic flaw is the design or should I say quality control is very poor. Among two of the six I got, the base is not flat. They wiggle diagonally when you put it on a flat table, which is kinda very annoying making noise whenever you click."

there have been no complaints among the 13 in use at coraid.

- erik