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Vertical Ergonomic Devices for Linux?

Posted by Cliff on from the saving-your-wrists dept.

NonNullSet asks: "I am having trouble finding a truly programmable mouse for Linux. I'm a longtime (read older) computer user and have to use an ergonomic mouse (http://www.evoluent.biz) to work on Windows. I would like to find something similar (vertical shape, if possible, programmable buttons) for Linux, but haven't had any luck. Have any Slashdot readers been successful at finding/using programmable ergonomic hardware on Linux? Vertical shape plus click and hold would be excellent!"

5 of 18 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by Vaevictis666 · · Score: 4, Informative

    If the vertical mouse is USB, why wouldn't linux be able to pick it up as a four-button HID? As far as the machine is concerned all it should need to know is that it's got a pointer and some buttons...

  2. What are you talking about? by CyberVenom · · Score: 3, Informative

    The mouse you linked to claims to be Linux compatable already. Since it is USB/PS2 I wouldn't doubt that claim as both PS2 and USB HIDs have been supported properly by Linux for some time.
    -CyberVenom

    1. Re:What are you talking about? by NonNullSet · · Score: 3, Informative

      I have communicated with the vendor. All they say is that the mouse will be detected as a "two button" mouse. None of the programability (available via the Windows driver) will be present. So while the mouse would "work", it wouldn't have the feature set I want.

  3. XFree86 Pointer Button (and Keyboard) Re-mapping by infernalC · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here is the xmodmap documentation you are looking for.

  4. Re:Clarification of my above comment by NonNullSet · · Score: 3, Informative

    I understand the X11 paradigm. [In fact, I was an X11 developer back in the days of R4.] What I would like to do is be able to click a button and release it, but have the action (mouse event) be that the button is "held down" until I click again (at which point a button up event is generated). This is possible on many programmable mice on MS PCs (using a vendor driver). The reason I want this is that holding down a mouse button can (and does) cause RSI pain.