Looking for a good Linux compatible laptop mouse...

Talyz · 07-05-2006, 12:27 PM

Hi,

I own a Acer Travelmate 3012WTMI laptop and have Kubuntu Dapper 6.06 installed on it. It's a nice computer, but like most other laptops, the only pointing device it has is its built-in touchpad. It's a quite good touchpad, but I feel like I want a real mouse too; I just work better with one.

So, what I'm trying to get to is;
Does anybody here know of any good Linux compatible, wireless laptop mice (preferably laser ones)?

Thanks,
Talyz

Xolo · 07-05-2006, 01:25 PM

I believe you should be quite safe with just about any USB based optical mouse nowadays.
You might like the Logitech V400 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks, all the wireless perks plus an improved laser tracking system and self-storing USB connector.
I currently own a slightly older Logitech MX1000 Cordless Laser mouse which works fine in any Linux distro, and it's the best mouse i've ever had.

Talyz · 07-05-2006, 04:37 PM

I was actually thinking about getting one of those, but since I couldn't find any information about Linux compatibility, I'm not quite sure. It would feel a little stupid to buy such an exclusive mouse, just to find out that it's not compatible with Linux...

Xolo · 07-06-2006, 04:08 PM

Well tell you what. I'm planning on buying it myself within the next week or so when I get a chance and i'll let you know what happens :P

Talyz · 07-06-2006, 04:17 PM

Really? Great! Thanks!

BTW, I just read on the Logitech site that it's plug n' play compatible, so I guess that kind of means it will work just fine in Linux...

Abomb · 07-07-2006, 06:00 AM

Linux usually doesn't care what mouse you have. I was thinking of picking up the MX1000 mainly because of the docking station, laser track, and that everyone I know who has one LOVES it. He has used the MX1000 on almost all platforms. Mac, Linux, and Windows. I'm currently using a generic mouse and I have no problem. Linux even recognizes it as a Logitech mouse.

Code:

~$ lsusb | grep Logitech
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 046d:c00e Logitech, Inc. Optical Mouse

Talyz · 07-07-2006, 06:58 AM

I know; all mice I've tested so far has worked just great in Linux. I just want to be sure before I buy one, since it will be too late to give it back if I've already tried it...

Xolo · 07-10-2006, 02:02 PM

My V400 is in the mail, should arrive either at the end of the week or next monday.

kg4ysy · 07-10-2006, 03:51 PM

The mouse really doesn't matter. Just know that if it has extra buttons (other than right/left/scroll) you will have to add a line to your xinitrc of xmodmap -e pointer="x x x x " to map the buttons correctly so that the extra buttons will do something. If you want them to do special stuff, then you will have to you imwheel or something like that to put a command with the buttons. It is easy to do just kinda tricky if you don't know what you are doing.

Talyz · 07-11-2006, 08:29 AM

Great news!

kg4ysy: Unfortunately, I have no experience in editing any of those files or using imwheel, but maybe I can find a guide somewhere on the net...

kg4ysy · 07-11-2006, 10:04 AM

Basically once you find the mouse you want, plug it in and type xev in a terminal. A little window will pop up. Put you mouse in the window and press every button. Write down what is what and post that information here and I will let you know what you need to put in your xorg.conf and use as your xset pointer thing...my mouse is a 7 button mouse with the scroll wheel counting as three buttons (up/down/click).

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

Code:

     32 Section "InputDevice"
     33 Identifier "Mouse0"
     34 Driver "mouse"
     35 Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
     36 Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
     37 Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
     38 Option "Buttons" "7"
     39 Option "Emulate3Buttons" "yes"
     40 EndSection

add a line like this to /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

xmodmap -e "pointer = 1 2 3 8 9 4 5 6 7 10 11"

for some reason when I reinstalled the buttons changed, but we will have to tailor this to how your mouse is detected.

Let us know when you get that mouse.

Talyz · 07-12-2006, 02:35 PM

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=452526

Xolo · 07-18-2006, 11:31 AM

Oi, went round the corner have you? :P
Anyway, I have the mouse now and it's working just fine. I'm not worried about the extra buttons myself but if I have a spare moment I may tinker with kg4ysy's suggestion and see what I can come up with.
Coming from an MX1000, the shape of the V400 does give you a slightly awkward feeling in your hand since it's much smaller and angular, but after 2 hours of playing games, who notices?