>I want to set them up differently, especially different pointer speeds
>(now one is moving too slowly if the other is "just right"). Also, I
>want one of those to be "left-handed" (right/left buttons swapped) while
>the other should not be.

>However, it seems these settings (Control Panel > Mouse) apply to both
>input devices at the same time, which is not satisfying.


>Any ideas how to solve this simple demand?


As far as In kow there is no way to have two mice on the system
configured differently. Having two mice on the system is an issue by
itself, as, if they are both moving, which one does the system listen
to? As long as only one is moving though, it is not a problem.

You could set up different preference for different user, so if one
person logs in it is a left handed mouse, and if another person logs in
it is a right handed mouse.
You can also setup different hardware profiles on the PC to accompish
this, but that is even less convenient.

Maybe someone else will have a better answer.

Tonagon wrote:
> As far as In kow there is no way to have two mice on the system
> configured differently.

It seems... :-( I was hoping maybe someone knew a way to do it more or
less "manually" by tweaking in the Registry or something. But it seems not.


> Having two mice on the system is an issue by
> itself, as, if they are both moving, which one does the system listen
> to? As long as only one is moving though, it is not a problem.

Yes, it's an issue, but it works quite well nevertheless. If I move both
simultaneously it's like I'm pulling the tracker (pointer arrow) with
two different rubber bands attached to it.

Another way to solve that potential conflict in a more generalized way,
could be to have a separate tracker for each pointing device attached.

And in fact, having multiple pointing devices is not so uncommon as one
might think! Many people having laptops do this on a regular basis as
they attach an external mouse even though they often have a touchpad or
something. And those having a pen ("tablet") or digitizer attached also
usually have a mouse as well. And don't forget that it /is/ possible to
use the keyboard to move the pointer too, so in theory there's mostly at
least two such inputs to any computer... :-)


> You could set up different preference for different user, so if one
> person logs in it is a left handed mouse, and if another person logs in
> it is a right handed mouse.

Yes, I know, and that's the acceptable part of it. But it's even worse,
because if you get remote assistance with your computer, and the other
person opens a window reflecting your desktop (Remote Desktop, for
instance), then the /local/ mouse configuration is reflected on the
assistant's mouse as well, just that it's only while (s)he is clicking
_inside_ that windows on his/her desktop. Makes it very amusing to swap
your buttons right-left, then call the IT department for help :-)

However, this time I want to use both mice myself... :-)
I'm right-handed, but I found it very convenient to have a mouse
directly to the left of my keyboard. In combination with the editing and
navigation keys (Insert, PgUp, Left, ...) or the numeric keypad, it's
just great as I don't have to move my right hand between the mouse and
keyboard. Depending on the task at hand (literally!) of course.

This also makes it very easy to alternate between using left and right
arm, without having to reconfigure every time I swap, which means I can
do it frequently. And that's good for reducing the "mouse disease".

--
-+-Ben-+-

Ben Hetland wrote in
news:e3ab0m$ikc$1@orkan.itea.ntnu.no:

> I have two mice connected two the computer (WinXP sp2).
>
> I want to set them up differently, especially different
> pointer speeds (now one is moving too slowly if the other
> is "just right"). Also, I want one of those to be
> "left-handed" (right/left buttons swapped) while the other
> should not be.
>
> However, it seems these settings (Control Panel > Mouse)
> apply to both input devices at the same time, which is not
> satisfying.
>
> Any ideas how to solve this simple demand?
>

Not exactly an idea, but I'll tell you of my experiences.

I have a Summasketch tablet with a 4-button puck (which is a
better mouse than any I've ever tried) and a stylus. This is
connected to a serial port (it's very old). There is a normal
mouse connected to the PS2 port. They both work fine together
or separately. I have also tried using a Logitech wireless
trackball with the USB port and it worked fine.
Unfortunately, I can't remember whether I was actually crazy
enough to leave the other two devices plugged in at the same
time, but I believe I might have been. It worked, anyway.

While the general mouse settings are universal, I believe,
the Summa (now CalComp) control panel offers additional
flexibility, such as "application override" for some graphics
apps, button assignments, etc).

I have never used one but I imagine Wacom tablets which come
with a pen and mouse have their own control panels which
probably offer a wealth of options.


--
thanatoid-Tip® #22
Give yourself until about 30. If things don't get rolling by
then, consider saving yourself another 40 years of pain and
misery.