SideTrack for iBooks and PowerBooks - a better trackpad

By Marc Orchant

It's not very often that you find a user interface or interaction capability on the PC platform that the Mac hasn't already done well but I have always been hugely disappointed with the trackpads on Apple's portables. Why? Simply put,
the trackpad on my Tablet PC is a whole lot smarter, allowing me to scroll vertically and horizontally, assign hot spots for different functions, and even launch applications.

Happily, a developer with the intriguing name of Raging Menace has leveled this playing filed with
SideTrack – a better driver for the Apple trackpads. It's shareware with no time limit (it does pop up a nag screen at random intervals) and it costs only
$15.00. A great investment in functionality if you're an iBook or PowerBook user.

Here's a list of features from the site which has a very nice assortment of screenshots:

SideTrack is a replacement driver for the Apple PowerBook and iBook trackpads. With SideTrack installed your standard trackpad becomes a powerful multi-button scrolling mouse. Leave your external mouse at home and take full control over your trackpad:

  • Vertical scrolling at left or right edge of pad.
  • Horizontal scrolling at top or bottom edge of pad.
  • Map hardware button to left or right click.
  • Map trackpad taps to no action, left click, left click drag, or right click.
  • Map trackpad corner taps to mouse buttons 1-6 or simulated keystrokes.
  • Extensive control over accidental input filtering.

SideTrack is multiuser aware and fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 fast user switching (FUS). Every user on your PowerBook can have different settings depending on their needs.

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