◊ This program is distributed as Shareware: if you like it or use it please honor the shareware system by sending $3 to the author at the address above. Since collecting international cheques is very expensive, please send cash only. If you MUST send a cheque, keep in mind that the banks will gobble up more than half of it.
◊ NOTE: Getting some (usually very few) bucks is what you write shareware for, but getting a note, a postcard or anything else is a lot better than getting nothing. I'd like to know how far this program has gone, so remember that you can do something nice even if you don't have a couple of $$$ to spare.
• PowerClicks is a useful Control Panel which enables any Macintosh to:
1. make a key combination act just like the mouse button;
2. make a different key combination toggle the mouse button on and off;
3. disable the "real" mouse button (in case it's broken);
4. assign graphical effects to mouse clicks;
• The mouse button key is useful if you have to use your PowerBook in a very silent environment, where even a trackball click can be too loud; since the keyboard is a lot more quiet than the trackball button, you'll be able to use your trackball while other people are reading or even sleeping. You may also use this option to temporarily replace a broken mouse button on any Macintosh.
• The button-toggle key is useful if you want to use your PowerBook trackball with only one hand. I find it hard to move the ball while keeping the button down, and I often release the trackball button before the dragging is over. This can be very annoying when you are selecting a command from a menu (releasing the button makes your fingers move so the cursor slips away). Using the button-toggle key should make your life a lot easier: strike the key once and move the cursor where it should be, then take your whole hand away from the trackball and strike the key again.
• More situations where the button-toggle key can be useful:
1. drawing with the freehand tool in graphical applications;
2. scanning through hierarchical menus;
3. making precise or large selections (icons, text or graphics);
4. moving icons and other objects on the desktop;
5. any other mouse drag.
• The graphical effects will let you see where both real and virtual mouse clicks occur (many extensions and control panels create virtual mouse clicks to gain control over the environment - take a look at Now Utilities' Super Boomerang for a good example). If you carefully set up the number of frames, the Mac won't slow down (also note that drawing circles takes a lot longer than drawing squares).
• DISCLAIMER
◊ PowerClicks should be fairly safe and bug-free, but I don't guarantee anything. If you manage to blow up your Mac with this stuff, it's your own business. Use PowerClicks entirely at your own risk.
• VERSION HISTORY
◊ 1.02 - Minor fixes;
◊ 1.01 - Added Control Panel and "Disable Mouse Button" option for broken mice;
◊ 1.00 - First cut as a non-configurable system extension.
• THANKS TO:
◊ Fabrizio Oddone and Alberto Ricci, who did all the beta-testing and gave lots of useful suggestions.
• HAVE FUN! And don't forget to $$$ SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTION $$$ so that more cool utilities will see the light in the near future, at the low-low-low costs of shareware.
