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Explanation of Using the Mouse Scroll Wheel with FrameMaker - Succeed in Using FrameMaker. Also refer to Adobe, mouse driver, freeware, MouseWare, FreeWheel, KatMouse, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Using the Mouse Scroll Wheel with FrameMaker
by Ron Kurtus (7 April 2008)
A major complaint of users of Adobe FrameMaker software is the fact that the mouse scroll wheel does not work on many computers. This inhibits the use of this application, which is supposed to be the industry standard for technical writing and creating large documents. It is not sure why such an expensive software application is so far behind in such a basic function. Fortunately, there are some freeware mouse-driver applications that allow the scroll wheel to function in FrameMaker. They are MouseWare, FreeWheel and our choice, KatMouse.
Questions you may have include:
- What is MouseWare?
- What is FreeWheel?
- What is our choice?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
MouseWare
Document conversion company INFOCON provides a free Logitech mouse driver, MouseWare, that supports scroll wheels within FrameMaker, but is not the most recent version Logitech has released. It should work with other brand mouse devices (mice?).
I was going to try it, but unfortunately, it doesn't work in the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.
Download file from: http://www.infocon.com/resources_fmsgml.aspx
FreeWheel
FreeWheel mouse driver is supposed to work well with any mouse. Unfortunately, on looking at their read-me notes, it was last updated in 1999. Because of this, I opted not to bother with it. But it still may be worth checking.
Download file from: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2060/freewheel.html
KatMouse
I downloaded KatMouse, which had been upgraded in 2007. The application works fine for me with the Vista operating system and FrameMaker 7.0.
KatMouse is free, but the author states that if you like it enough you can donate an amount of your discretion.
Download file from: http://ehiti.de/katmouse/
Summary
The mouse scroll wheel does not work on many computers in FrameMaker. This inhibits the use of this application. Freeware mouse-driver applications are available to allow the scroll wheel to function in FrameMaker. They are MouseWare, FreeWheel and KatMouse. We selected KatMouse for use in Vista with FrameMaker 7.0.
Always do your best
Resources
Items of interest on this topic:
Websites
Tek-Tips FAQ - FrameMaker scroll wheel problem
Books
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Why would you want to use a scroll wheel in FrameMaker?
2. Why can't the mouse scroll wheel be used in FrameMaker?
3. Why did we select the KatMouse driver?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in using FrameMaker. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Using the Mouse Scroll Wheel with FrameMaker