>Why has Apple refused to develop a mouse with more than one button? >It seems like everyone these days has moved on to two buttons and a >scroll wheel, so why would an innovative company like Apple refuse to >adapt on this issue? Has Apple ever said why they refuse to make a >two button mouse with a scroll wheel? >On a related note, why do all mac keyboards remain so spartan >compared to their PC counterparts? I understand it on the laptops, >as the keyboards on Compaq laptops are kind of clumsy with all of the >functions they've tried to put on to them. But what about a full >sized keyboard? Why not add some media functions to mac keyboards?
The simple reason? Because too many users can't understand multiple buttons. I do tech support for a living, and even the higher computer functioning people have problems with the "right click" concept. Those that do grasp a right click, regularly ask me, "click with the left or right button", or when I tell them to right click and then select something, they also reply with "use the left or right button"... and there is a bit of trivia for you (you use 2 buttons I assume), which should you use to select the contextual menu item? The left or the right? and Why? (see, it isn't as simple as many think, put yourself in the seat of a novice user and try to tackle the same issue). The Mac is supposed to be simple, simple enough that anyone and their grandmother can use it. That means a 2 button mouse is nothing but a confusion. There is nothing on the Mac that requires a 2nd button (or Control-Clicking). Those are "power user" bonuses that let you do things a little faster and a little easier (I actually use a Kensington 4 button mouse at work). In fact, Apple has gone the other way and more or less made a no button mouse. If I'm not mistaken, the current line of Apple mice don't really have a button per se, the whole mouse body acts as the button, so you just apply downward pressure anywhere, and it clicks. The more complex reasons have already been covered (HIG, Job's personal stance, things like that), but in the end, it really all boils down to, a 2nd button is just a confusion for too many people and encourages right-click only features, which Apple doesn't want to be an issue they have to battle. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net> -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
