[ale] OT Re: [ale] Microsoft now favors fair competition

[Christopher R. Curzio]

I've had the same problem with my Intellimouse. It's all a matter of
getting X configured properly. (In this case, the common denominator is
both X and the Intellimouse.)

I remember the upper-right corner problem very well. Setting the config to
IMPS/2 with 3 buttons made the difference, and the mouse has worked fine
since. (I don't even have Windows installed on my machine. When I did,
however, it worked fine in both Windows and Linux.) Did the same problem
repeat itself with GPM? 

I will say that KVM switches play havoc with mice, particularly those with
wheels. Through the KVM switch I have, the mouse wheel would not function.
Period. The mouse driver would die in Windows when trying to switch to the
correct mouse, and I had to select a generic PS/2 mouse to get basic
functionality. 3rd button and wheel absolutely did not work through the
KVM. (It took a long time to trace the problem, too. I figured hey, it's
just a switchable PS/2 pipe. How could that cause a problem? But lo,
that's what it was.)

So anyway, to this day I'm using an Intellimouse Optical (The classic one,
not the bulky silver one) under X, and it works just peachy. It's as
responsive as the day I bought it.

I also have a stack of the classic PS/2 intellimice around, hooked up to
various boxes around my room. Microsoft mice are pretty much the only mice
I will use. 

-- 
Christopher R. Curzio     |  Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax
http://www.accipiter.org  |  si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
:wq!


Thus Spake Andrew Grimmke <grimmke at directvinternet.com>:
09 Sep 2002 05:13:01 -0400


> While I do agree about the charity thing.  After some serious arm
> twisting (by Ted Turner and others) the Bill and Melinda Gates
> Foundation has done more for the African aids epidemic than just about
> any other private American charity.
> 
> On the Mouse issue, however, I have to say to anybody.  Intellimouse +
> XFree86 + KVM switch = Bad.  I would switch boxes and the pointer would
> hide in the corner.
> 
> Do a search on google groups for xfree + mouse + upper right corner and
> see just how well X likes M$ brand rodents.
> 
> Although a KVM switch exacerbates the problem, plenty have the same
> issue I did without one.  Common demoinator is *always* the 
> intellirodent.
> 
> I am not suggesting conspiracy here.  Just offering information.  For
> me, Intellrodent didn't like X.  Since I switched to a $2 generic 3
> button, no problems.
> 
> Andrew
> 
> 
> On Mon, 2002-09-09 at 00:03, Christopher R. Curzio wrote:
> > Honestly, that's a little blind. You're almost saying the company
> > shouldn't have ever existed, and anyone who works for them is spawned
> > from the deepest nether regions of hell. 
> > 
> > Yes, I dislike Windows. Yes, I believe Microsoft's business practices
> > in the past have been questionable, with some being downright illegal.
> > No, I am not a Microsoft enthusiast or representative. I am, however,
> > someone who *can* see when good things are done, and not overlook them
> > in blind hatred. 
> > 
> > I have never, *ever* seen a bad Microsoft mouse. All of my systems
> > have one, and I'm giddy with delight at having an Intellimouse with
> > Intelleye, which has worked splendidly for the past 3 years. While
> > Microsoft may not manufacture the hardware themselves (outsourcing and
> > rebranding), any hardware on which they have stamped their name
> > (ESPECIALLY mice) has been nearly top-notch. 
> > 
> > And my Microsoft mouse can do everything in Linux that it can do in
> > Windows. I don't see how it's engineered to leverage Windows. Sure,
> > things like the force feedback stuff (another excellent hardware line)
> > come with Windows-only stuff, but what do you expect? They make
> > DirectX, they're sure not going to ignore it. 
> > 
> > As for Microsoft-related charity work, while it's less Microsoft and
> > more Bill and Melinda, maybe you should check out the Bill and Melinda
> > Gates foundation. They're throwing millions of dollars at not only
> > schools and libraries, but health programs as well. Over half of their
> > donations have been to Global Health organizations. Again, it's not
> > from Microsoft, but all of this cash is able to be given to good
> > causes as a direct result of Microsoft being here. 
> > 
> > There's more Good Things listed here:
> > http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107-946250.html
> > 
> > Again, don't mistake the above for Microsoft fanatacism or open-source
> > defection. I'm a Linux user, and I really dislike the majority of
> > Microsoft's software. But I'm not a zealot on any side of the court. 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Christopher R. Curzio     |  Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax
> > http://www.accipiter.org  |  si marmota monax materiam possit
> > materiari?:wq!
> > 
> > 
> > Thus Spake Geoffrey <esoteric at 3times25.net>:
> > Sun, 08 Sep 2002 21:27:28 -0400
> > 
> > 
> > > I've had one M$ mouse, it crapped out after 6 months.  Whatever. 
> > > That is not a reflection of their 'good.'  And how many of those
> > > devices are designed to leverage their operating system?  Oh, now we
> > > see why they make hardware...
> > > 
> > > > MS has been
> > > > known to give money to various worthy causes.
> > > 
> > > Do your research further.  Why?  They donate to libraries and
> > > schools to
> > > 
> > > get their products in the door.
> > > 
> > > The ONLY reason M$ does ANYTHING is to extend their market.  If you
> > > do the research you will see this.  Philanthropy in name only.
> > > 
> > > > If I cared, I could
> > > > probably find buildings owned by Microsoft which were
> > > > environmentally friendly. Etc. 
> > > 
> > > Now that's a stretch.  Only if it's required by law.
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > The awful things that they have done may *outweigh* the good
> > > > things that they have done, but those bad things don't erase the
> > > > existence of the good things.
> > > 
> > > Again, I challenge you to do the research.  Provide information
> > > where Microsoft has done ANYTHING simple because it's either the
> > > right thing to do and I assure you if you dig deep enough, you'll
> > > find the truth.
> > > 
> > > This company has no morals, no conscious.
> > 
> > ---
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> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
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