Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tektronix!tekecs!nobody
From: nobody@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM (-for inetd server command)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: ALTERNATIVE MICE
Message-ID: <11155@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM>
Date: 18 Mar 89 01:39:46 GMT
References: <Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET> <890316.08534234.014695@SFA.CP6>
Reply-To: jeff@quark.WV.TEK.COM (Jeff Beadles)
Followup-To: comp.sys.atari.at
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR
Lines: 62

In article <890316.08534234.014695@SFA.CP6> Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET (Z4648252) writes:
>
[Stuff deleted about Radio Shack mice]

Well, since several people have had problems getting email to me, I'll
respond here.  (Sorry everyone else! :-) 'n' if you want...




>     Jeff Beadles, I've tried replying to your message in which you
>explained the mouse setup but my messages keep bouncing back.  SIGH.  We
>are needing to use SERIAL mice, right?

NO!  The Atari ST uses a buss mouse.  All Microsoft mice are buss-style
internally.  They use an in-line adapter to convert it to a serial interface
if needed.  Here's the differences when you but a Microsoft Buss mouse,
or a Microsoft Serial mouse:
(I'm talking about the Microsoft mouse that is white, with two buttons.
It's oval, and fits the hand rather nicely.  On the bottom, it says:
"InPort (tm) Mouse".)


				Microsoft	BUSS 	SERIAL
The "Mouse" itself				X	X
(It is the EXACT SAME "MOUSE")

A "Buss" card for a PC  			X

A Buss -> serial converter				X
(This is a small box, around 1x1x3 (inches))

Two serial cables.  (One 25 pin, and one 9 pin)		X

Some silly IBM-PC software & drivers		X	 X
(Not needed for the ST.)

NOTE:  They sometimes try to sell expensive programs with the mouse, like
CAD programs, PC-Pain brush, etc.  Get the cheapest one you can (unless you
want the software :-)

I own an Atari ST, and my wife has a PC clone (Tandy 3000).  She has a
"Serial" mouse.  I bought a "buss" mouse for my ST.  We've traded mice with
no ill effect.  Either mouse will work on either computer, buss or serial.


To reach me via email, here's several paths:

uucp:	 ..uunet!tektronix!quark.wv!jeff
Internet: jeff@quark.wv.tek.com
CSnet:	  jeff%quark.wv.tek.com@RELAY-CSNET
If all else fails,

Jeff Beadles
Tektronix, Inc.
M/S 61-215
P.O. Box 1000
Wilsonville, Or.  USA  97077-1000

Best of luck,

	-Jeff Beadles