Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse?

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Susan G
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2011/04/11 16:18:59 (permalink)

Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse?

Hi-

I'm on Windows 7. I have a Kensington Slimblade Trackball and a Contour Designs ShuttlePro (original version). Some more recent apps I'm using call for a middle mouse click for some common actions, and even though I've programmed both the Trackball and ShuttlePro so that I can simulate a MBB on both, all it does is switch active apps.

If I go into Control Panel, I don't see any way to program the "standard" MBB, so it seems I'm stuck with what I've got. Is app-switching the default behavior for MBB with a "real" mouse, and does anyone know if there's a way to reprogram it so it passes through to apps instead?

Thanks!

-Susan

2.30 gigahertz Intel Core i7-3610QM; 16 GB RAM
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    larrymcg
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2011/04/12 11:13:41 (permalink)
    I find that the action of middle-click is application dependent.  In some cases it turns on a special version of scrolling.  In FireFox a middle-click on a link opens it in a new window or tab.  In Thunderbird a middle click on a message subject line opens the message in a new tab rather than in the reading pane.  Etc.

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    Susan G
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2011/04/12 13:47:28 (permalink)
    Hi Larry-

    Here it always switches open applications, so it seems like Windows is intercepting it. The application itself doesn't get a chance to process it, and I don't see any way to tell it to stop doing that. Oh well...

    Thanks!

    -Susan

    2.30 gigahertz Intel Core i7-3610QM; 16 GB RAM
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    larrymcg
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2011/04/12 15:19:34 (permalink)
    Win 7 doesn't always intercept the middle click since it works fine on my Win 7 system (using simple 2 button + scroll wheel mice).  I suspect there are only a couple places to look to make configuration changes:  In Microsoft's Mouse control panel and in the control panel for the specific device drivers you are using for the trackball and shuttlepro.

    I did some googling and saw lots of other folks with middle-click doing nothing and at least one seeing application switching (like you see).  Sometimes driver updates helped them out.

    Good luck,
    Larry

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    Susan G
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2011/04/12 16:06:19 (permalink)
    Thanks Larry. I have the latest drivers for the trackball, and the original drivers for the Shuttle since those are more programmable. I don't have any way to direct the trackball or shuttle what to do when I assign middle-click, and the Microsoft Mouse CP doesn't offer any options for it, so it looks like I'm out of luck.

    Appreciate the help-

    -Susan

    2.30 gigahertz Intel Core i7-3610QM; 16 GB RAM
    Windows 10 x64; NI Komplete Audio 6.
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    slartabartfast
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2011/04/13 19:06:23 (permalink)

    I have the latest drivers for the trackball


    By latest drivers do you mean: http://us.kensington.com/html/17759.html
    post edited by slartabartfast - 2011/04/13 19:07:35
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    Susan G
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2011/04/13 19:35:38 (permalink)
    slartabartfast



    I have the latest drivers for the trackball


    By latest drivers do you mean: http://us.kensington.com/html/17759.html

    Hi-

    Yes, those are the ones. They have other software that has Media and View modes, but TrackballWorks is more customizable (not much, unfortunately).

    Thanks-

    -Susan


    2.30 gigahertz Intel Core i7-3610QM; 16 GB RAM
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    jmain
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2012/08/17 14:10:18 (permalink)
    Resurrecting this old thread since it seemed the best to pose the question. 
    I'm looking at either the Kensington Expert Mouse or Slimblade.  I would almost get the Slimblade, but I'm worried about the software being buggie using X1.  I could live with the button defaults on the Expert and not have to install the software. 

    Any issues with Trackballworks?

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    jmain
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2012/08/18 09:14:34 (permalink)
    Susan, thanks for answering my PM.  The info is helpful.  I'm building a dedicated DAW so won't use the media mode either.  Will be good to program the top two buttons knowing the software/driver isn't buggie.  Leaning towards the Slimblade.

    - Sonar X3 P
    - Cakewalk UA-25EX,  A-300Pro, Korg padKontrol.
    - Desktop:  Fractal Design Define Mini, i7 3770K, Asus P8Z77-M Pro, 16GB Ripjaws X,  500GB / 1TBx2 HDD, 1TB ext., Win 7 x64.
    - Mobile: Asus U47A-RS51, 750GB, 6GB, 1TB Portable, UA-1G. 
    - Instruments: MTD KZ6, CallowHill J(unk)5, P Bass, Strat, A/E Guitar, Djembe, Doumbek, Mridanga, Tabla.
     SoundCloud:  Ohm Groove
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    jmain
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    Re:Middle mouse button behavior without a mouse? 2012/10/02 20:46:16 (permalink)
    Got the Slimblade Trackball.  Trackballworks is acting buggy.  So far have only been able to use the bottom two buttons.  Would love to program the top buttons for a double click and back button.  Would be very helpful.

    Tried to install the software a couple times.  Mad numbers of windows opening like the thing was on autopilot (no clicks, just hovering around).  I'm might try another install.  I tried a direct install and one off the flash after downloading zip from laptop.  I'm going to try the latter again and hope for the best.

    I love the feel of the trackball and whizzing across two 23" screens.  I really dig the slimblade, but would be really good to have those other two buttons in action.

    - Sonar X3 P
    - Cakewalk UA-25EX,  A-300Pro, Korg padKontrol.
    - Desktop:  Fractal Design Define Mini, i7 3770K, Asus P8Z77-M Pro, 16GB Ripjaws X,  500GB / 1TBx2 HDD, 1TB ext., Win 7 x64.
    - Mobile: Asus U47A-RS51, 750GB, 6GB, 1TB Portable, UA-1G. 
    - Instruments: MTD KZ6, CallowHill J(unk)5, P Bass, Strat, A/E Guitar, Djembe, Doumbek, Mridanga, Tabla.
     SoundCloud:  Ohm Groove
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