Does My iBook G4 Have a Two-Finger Scroll Feature?

Amie

Amie

Mac Convert for Life
My parents new MacBook and my friend's 17-inch PowerBook both have a really neat feature where you can scroll up and down a page by simply using two fingers (instead of one) on the trackpad. I went into System Preferences under Keyboard/Mouse and could not find that option. I guess older iBook G4 models (mine is a 2004) don't have this option? Is this a new feature? Please, if someone knows something I don't, and I'm just totally missing it, please let me know how/where to find this option on my computer. It's a very convenient tool! Thanks.
 
The feature came out on the PBG4 first but the iBook doesn't have it. I think it's a hardware feature that the track pad must support.
 
I've tried using the software "hack" to get it to work, but results are less-than-perfect, in my experience.
 
eric2006 said:
I've tried using the software "hack" to get it to work, but results are less-than-perfect, in my experience.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was just reading the reviews from people who have used (or tried to) iScroll2. Not sure if I want to install it.
 
You just have to modify the default settings a bit. I used it for months on my old iBook and it was exactly the same as the 'official' version on my new computer.
 
SideTrack, which although is shareware, and pretty ruthless about it, is very good, and very powerful.

it allows you to use the parts of the trackpad not used very often (corners etc) as buttons, and scroll areas. it's all very fun.

i have mine set up on my G3 iBook to have the four corners set up to to be right click, and the 3 expose modes. the bottom and right sides are used for scrolling directions. double tab also works.
 
Lt Major Burns said:
SideTrack, which although is shareware, and pretty ruthless about it, is very good, and very powerful.

it allows you to use the parts of the trackpad not used very often (corners etc) as buttons, and scroll areas. it's all very fun.

i have mine set up on my G3 iBook to have the four corners set up to to be right click, and the 3 expose modes. the bottom and right sides are used for scrolling directions. double tab also works.
Click to expand...

Right click, right corner, bottom and right sides, double tab--wha??? You're just trying to confuse me! ;)
 
the "tab" confused me as well for a moment. I think I've seen it (instead of "tap") in more than one thread the other day, and suddenly thought: "Do they switch tabs in Safari using the trackpad or something...?" :)
 
I've used and installed iScroll for others and there have been no problems on my machines or reported by others.

The nice thing about it is that it DOES NOT alter any of Apple's Extensions, rather it installs it's own files and a System Preferance Pane to accomplish adding the functionality.

It's very easily removed if you don't like it.

Also note there are two versions: one for pre-2005 iBooks & PowerBooks and another for those manufactured in 2005
 
fryke said:
the "tab" confused me as well for a moment. I think I've seen it (instead of "tap") in more than one thread the other day, and suddenly thought: "Do they switch tabs in Safari using the trackpad or something...?" :)
Click to expand...

What a coincidence! I thought the SAME thing! And, hey, you never know. With all those third-party apps, it's entirely possible. ;)
 
macworks said:
I've used and installed iScroll for others and there have been no problems on my machines or reported by others.

The nice thing about it is that it DOES NOT alter any of Apple's Extensions, rather it installs it's own files and a System Preferance Pane to accomplish adding the functionality.

It's very easily removed if you don't like it.

Also note there are two versions: one for pre-2005 iBooks & PowerBooks and another for those manufactured in 2005
Click to expand...

Actually, there HAS been problems reported. A lot of them, in fact: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/26123&mode=feedback
 
I have an iBookG4 1.42 and two finger scroll works fine. My iBook was bought in UK, July 2005. Is two finger scrolling a hardware thing, or does it need 10.4.x?
 
sgould said:
I have an iBookG4 1.42 and two finger scroll works fine. My iBook was bought in UK, July 2005. Is two finger scrolling a hardware thing, or does it need 10.4.x?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a hardware thing. I believe Apple started implementing the two-finger scroll feature right after the models made after mine, which is a late 2004 model, which would explain why yours (2005 model) has it.
 
My iBook is early 2004 and also doesnt have it. I have the MacBook Early 06 and I'm still so used to not using it that I dont miss it when I use the iBook for some things. I know its confusing... but it's really late and I'm tired, so please excuse me!
 
macworks said:
I've used and installed iScroll for others and there have been no problems on my machines or reported by others.

The nice thing about it is that it DOES NOT alter any of Apple's Extensions, rather it installs it's own files and a System Preferance Pane to accomplish adding the functionality.

It's very easily removed if you don't like it.

Also note there are two versions: one for pre-2005 iBooks & PowerBooks and another for those manufactured in 2005
Click to expand...

There's another project underway called FFScroll which (according to the blurb on Apple's site) improves upon the iScroll2 software. It's not an Apple product, they're simply providing a link to it.

"Most notably running in `absolute’ mode allows the driver:

- Two-finger scrolling like the new Apple laptops with the new USB trackpads;
- Linear scroll regions that can be placed anywhere. This adds the functionality of a scroll-wheel;
- Hotspots to bind taps in the corners of the trackpad to alternate mouse buttons;
- Ability to remap the physical button to perform any type of mouse click. "

Just something else to try...
 
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