Question on mouse terminology: left/right? or?

[Richard Sobocinski <"Richard_G_Sobocinski%~WHC207"@CCMAIL.PNL.GOV>]

         I haven't had a need to distinguish between mouse buttons at
         work, but my personal system has OS/2 loaded as the operating
         system.  OS/2 makes extensive use of both mouse buttons and
         many instructions are given in the form of "use MB-1" or "use
         MB-2", which I find acceptable.  The ability to configure the
         mouse for left-handed use is something that the user usually
         has to do conciously.  If you configure your mouse for LH
         use, then you should also know that you are reassigning the
         primary button for your convenience, therefore I don't think
         the issue needs to be addressed further (which is one reason
         I like MB-1, rather than left mouse button).  As far as
         trackballs and such are concerned, I think its reasonable to
         use the same terminology for what is essentially a redesigned
         mouse.

         Most of the 3 button mice that I have seen provide the extra
         button as a user configurable option, such as assigning a
         single click w/ MB-3 as equivalent to a dbl-click w/ MB-1, so
         I would apply the same logic as for the LH mouse.

         There are lots of ways users can configure their systems and
         you can't account for them all.  If you configure your system
         out of the ordinary then the burden is on you to account for
         that when using instructions written for the "normal" setup.

         Rich
         rxs459 -at- fep1 -dot- rl -dot- gov