Middle click in firefox with a thinkpad

November 27, 2006 10:11 AM

How do I middle-click in Firefox on a Thinkpad T43?

My Thinkpad has a Touchpad that looks like this. I would really like to use that middle button above the Touchpad to middle-click in Firefox for opening links in a new tab and closing tabs, but for some reason I can't seem to do that. I have been all through the UltraNav Touchpad software, and it seems to only want to use this button for scrolling. I know about CTRL-click and corner tapping, but I would like to figure out how to use this button instead. Any ideas?

posted by Who_Am_I to Computers & Internet (13 answers total)

Response by poster: Sorry, should have mentioned I'm running XP.
posted by Who_Am_I at 10:17 AM on November 27, 2006

Clicking right and left at the same time should do it for you.
posted by geoff. at 10:17 AM on November 27, 2006

I want this in XP too! I'm sure it can be done somehow, this function is the default for my R40 when it's running Ubuntu.
posted by Science! at 10:27 AM on November 27, 2006

Response by poster: Unfortunately right and left clicking at the same time does not do this.
posted by Who_Am_I at 10:30 AM on November 27, 2006

Does double-click works for you? If so, install Tab Mix Plus and configure it accordingly (thinking about it, do install Tab Mix Plus anyway - it allows for a huge number of mouse clicks and gestures for all tab actions).
posted by nkyad at 10:46 AM on November 27, 2006

what about that red button in your keyboard? does tapping that act as a button?
posted by freudianslipper at 11:06 AM on November 27, 2006

Response by poster: what about that red button in your keyboard? does tapping that act as a button?
That's movement only, no clicking/tapping.

Thanks nkyad, that seems to be a good way to close tabs, still need a way to open links in a new tab though.
posted by Who_Am_I at 11:26 AM on November 27, 2006

Best answer: On my ThinkPad G40, you do this

Start > Control Panel
Mouse
TrackPoint
Choose Scrolling or Magnifying Glass Function: Neither
OK
posted by grouse at 11:54 AM on November 27, 2006

Um try holding control and clicking... It's not exactly what you want but you'll get used to it.

I know I did after years of right clicking the apple way.
posted by eleongonzales at 11:54 AM on November 27, 2006

I'm not saying that will work for you, since mine is not an UltraNav, but I hope it helps. If not, and AskMe is stumped, ask these guys.
posted by grouse at 11:55 AM on November 27, 2006

grouse it works for me! Oh, man oh man. Thank you so much.
posted by Science! at 12:26 PM on November 27, 2006

If you only move the mouse with the TrackPoint (eraserhead), I found a setup I absolutely love:

Under mouse properties -> UltraNav, I set the TouchPad to "scrolling and tap zones only".

Then, under the Touch Pad settings, I enabled Tap Zones, set all four corner actions to middle click, and made the Tap Zone sizes as big as possible. I set the bottom buttons to browser backward and forward, too.

Now, I can still scroll with the scroll button, and tap the touchpad for a middle click, plus the back and forth below.
posted by SpookyFish at 12:54 PM on November 27, 2006

Response by poster: That was it grouse. Thanks so much!
posted by Who_Am_I at 4:04 PM on November 27, 2006