Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with middleclick

How to fix mouse problems in OS X

backwards guitar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:09:44 -0800

Why doesn't OS X recognize my mouse's middle button click and why does it slow down over clickable objects? I've got a Logitech Bluetooth MX Revolution (part of the Logitech MX 5500 Keyboard/Mouse bundle). The keyboard works fine, and the mouse gets recognized fine, and generally works, but:

1) If I mouse over a clickable object (link, icon in the dock, etc.) the mouse slows down - as if it's aiding me in being able to click (not quite snapping-to the object, but slows down when I mouse over it). I haven't changed anything in Universal Access, and for the most part nothing seems out of the ordinary there (mouse keys off, nothing checked, Initial Delay and Maximum Speed are both on the far left).

2) My middle mouse button doesn't work. It worked briefly, but now not at all - I can scroll just fine with it, but clicking does nothing. I downloaded Steermouse, and the middle click is not being registered there either. I've used the mouse on a Windows machine, and the middle click is fine.

Other notes. I'm running a Fall 2008 Unibody Macbook Pro. I just upgraded to Snow Leopard, and was hoping that'd fix the problem, but no. In Steermouse, problem 1 goes away, which is great, but I'd like to get this working without Steermouse if at all possible. The mouse's other buttons all seem to be fine in Steermouse.

Mostly question two is the one I'd really like answered, as I can live with spending the money on Steermouse if need be. Thanks.

Middle click on the new MacBooks?

stopgap — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:05:26 -0800

I find myself unexpectedly in the market for a new laptop, and I'm considering switching to a Mac. I know the new MacBooks can finally do a proper right-click, but can they also do a middle-click without some awkward key combo? On my current laptop I just tap in one corner of the trackpad to middle click, and I can't imagine browsing the web without middle clicking. Bonus question: My current computer is a Dell Latitude X1, which is essentially a rebadged Samsung. If I don't go with the Mac, are there any similar ultraportables? It looks like Samsung finally started selling their own computers in the US, but they're all bigger than what I've got now. The X1 is about an inch thick, weighs 2.8 pounds (less than the MacBook Air!) and has a 12" screen. I don't want to give up the portability I love about this computer but it seems like the ultraportable category has disappeared in the last few years, leaving a hole between too-big 13.3" screen computers and too-small netbooks.

Gmail open link in new tab?

The Dutchman — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:54:58 -0800

In Firefox, I use the middle button of my mouse to open links in a new tab. I really wish I could do that with gmail (i.e., middle click on several emails and have them open each in a new tab, or middle click on "compose mail" so that would open in a new tab). Is there any way to do that? Some links actually work already, such as inbox, other folders and labels.

As a somewhat distant second choice, right clicking and selecting "open in a new tab" would be better than nothing.

Middle click in firefox with a thinkpad

Who_Am_I — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:11:45 -0800

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?

Firefox tabs problem

chiababe — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 13:52:31 -0800

Help me make middle clicking open a new tab in Firefox for me at work. I am on XP Pro SP 2, Firefox 1.0.7. In about:config browser.tabs.opentabfor.middleclick is set to true. In the control panel on my mouse, there is no option to fiddle with the middle button except to change the scrolling length. What to do? I want my middle clicks at work too!