[tutorial] make the most of your mouse!

[Lord Orwell]

(note to mods: Wasn't sure this was appropriate for tutorial area so put it in chitchat)
I thought i would share this information. I would say that most people who use this forum today do a lot of web searching, window-zooming, media-playing, etc. Well what if i told you that you can do all this from your mouse? A three button mouse can recieve some of this functionality, but a 4 or 5 button one really shines here.

Yes, i am sure you are aware, that multi-button mice all come with some form of controller software that lets you assign different functions to each button. However, all programs are not created equal. Microsoft's intellipoint software really shines here. It lets you assign ANYTHING to any button, including:
# web and media controls
# keypresses such as ctrl-alt-del or shift-f1
# A hot-press to a custom zoom window
# a visual task switcher unique to intellipoint but vaguely resembling the way OS10 does it.
# A different set of assignments for each program!

This last feature is very interesting. I can assign the side buttons to forward and rewind a DVD in media player AND forward/back a browser window and whatever else i care to have them do in other programs.

"So what" you say? " I don't have a Microsoft Mouse!"
That's nice, but IT DOESN'T MATTER, thanks to a little device that probably came with your mouse:

You are looking at a USB to PS2 adapter. While it's hooked up as USB, your computer can't be fooled as to what kind of mouse it is, but the PS2 port can't tell the difference in mice brands. I personally use a wireless rechargeable 5-button mouse from a company called Nexxtech which only cost $20 american dollars. Works great with Intellipoint softare. This software is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo.../Download.mspx
Choose your OS and pick an IntelliMouse from the drop-down. When setting up the program, simply choose a mouse in the list with the same number of buttons as yours.

Note that besides these benefits there are other ones of using the ps2 port, including port power usage and bandwidth usage of the usb ports, as well as freeing up a usb port.

-Lord Orwell