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How to switch buttons on MX900 mouse and whole lot more

By On Sun, Feb 12th, 2006 In Hardware With 3 Comments Permanent Link to How to switch buttons on MX900 mouse and whole lot morePermalink

Logitech SetPoint software woes again. One of the things that troubles me most with this software is that I can’t permanently set left button as right click and vice-versa. SetPoint software does not allow that, and when I do it through Control Panel it is back to default after logout. Now, this software is anything between 30MB and 50MB download heavy and it does allow you to do such basic stuff. Maybe to protect me from being stupid and setting both buttons to right click or something? Who knows, but certainly is annoying.

You see, I use the mouse with my left hand (and I’m not left-handed) even though MX900 is ergonomic model for use with the right hand.
Reason is simple, really – the only two good BT mouses on the market are this and MS Intellimouse and they are both right-hand only. The other mouses on the market are simple entry models. There are no neutral versions which is really a shame. It seems that bluetooth-enabled mouse market is rather small. :S

Anyway, Logitech’s software…the answer to all my problems is what else but enthusiasts that know: uberOptions pack by Richard Lowens. His options pack – in his own words – simply changes Logitech’s own XML files. Now, Logitech – why you don’t have this, via some Basic / Advanced modes? I mean, really…such a fabulous piece of hardware is being crippled by mediocre software package.

Richard, many, many thanks.

How to install Logitech MX900 drivers on Windows 2003

By On Mon, Jan 2nd, 2006 In Hardware With 7 Comments Permanent Link to How to install Logitech MX900 drivers on Windows 2003Permalink

More on the fun world of software companies doing stupid things in its install software. I own Logitech MX900 Bluetooth mouse, which works great. The software that comes on the CD is 1.04, and newest version is 2.22. I was hoping that new drivers would have support for double-click on the wheel (they don’t. suckers.) and wanted to install them on Windows Server 2003 SP1.

That particular version behaves much like XP would – even Media Player 10 is included in this SP1. However, Logitech’s driver install checks for OS version, sees that it is not 2000/XP and quits with message that I should go to Logitech web site and look for appropriate version. Well, I did – and there is nothing for my OS.

Now, the most idiotic part of this is that it does not gives you the option to continue. It should tell me “if you continue you may fuck-up your system and render it useless, do not do this blah blah”…in lawyerish, of course. It does not. So I pay €50+ for this mouse and can’t install driver update? Niiice…way to go Logitech.

Luckily, there’s a workaround. Right click on setup file (setup222enu.exe here), Properties, Compatibility tab, check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and choose “Windows XP”. Ok all. Then start the file, ignore the message about administrator rights (I am installing as administrator, you…) and finish the install. Restart, all is well, drivers installed.

iPod Shuffle file structure

By On Sat, Mar 19th, 2005 In Hardware With 38 Comments Permanent Link to iPod Shuffle file structurePermalink

Apple has put several restrictions on the iPod Shuffle use. You can only update songs from one PC/Mac, through iTunes. You can’t copy songs from Shuffle to another PC or Mac. You can’t manually copy the songs to Shuffle (must use iTunes).
At least one of those claims is not true. For now.

Indeed, Apple’s iPod Shuffle support FAQ makes it pretty much clear. However, things are not that bad. Apple Matters has detailed the procedure for finding the songs through Mac terminal and copying them over to Mac. Let’s see how it looks like on PC.

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Keyboard for life

By On Fri, Mar 4th, 2005 In Hardware With 3 Comments Permanent Link to Keyboard for lifePermalink

The search is over.

IBM

IBM buckling-spring keyboard.

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Click keyboards

By On Fri, Feb 4th, 2005 In Hardware With 15 Comments Permanent Link to Click keyboardsPermalink

I type a lot. I mean, a lot. Code, email, documents, articles, whatever – keyboard is still the main input device for me, much more than mouse is.

All keybords should be like this

Now, ignoring the high-school time when I owned Amiga 500, I’m typing on PC keyboards for little over one decade. I changed probably two dozen keyboards in that time, either at home or various companies I worked for.

There is only one I really loved and that is Focus 2001, the old model, with Print Screen, Scroll Lock and Pause keys at the top. New model include stupid, useless Sleep/Wake/Power keys, and the middle part of the keyboard is totally ruined. A depressing-to-look-at successor, since the type-feel of this keyboard is fantastic. Just the right dose of pressure, clear clicking sound and desired letter is up – there’s no chance of mis-typing or false-typing, something often happening with my current HP-branded soft-touch garbage.

These sentences are written on the very same Focus; I found it in an old closet, wrapped away long time ago when some keys (both Shifts among them) deteriorated from unhuman usage (pinball simulators and Mortal Kombat). I unhinged the problematic keys (there was like 8–9 of them), clean them separately, washed the whole board, reattached the keys and it all worked, apart from the Space key, of which one under-part was broken. I worked-out a replacement using some plastic and glue, and it seems to work so and so.

Even so badly broken, it is better than membrane-based keyboards you can buy for 10 bucks in any store.

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