Possible fix for a jumpy gaming mouse on OSX
So, I have a G5 gaming mouse that I have been using for a number of years. I love it... but for some reason my mouse tends to "jump" around under OSX. The usual suspects like restarting the computer, or unplugging and plugging the mouse back in makes no difference. Weirder yet is that if I reboot into boot camp (Win7) the jumpiness goes away.
Some googling lead me to this page: http://dae.cyberic.eu/blog/mouse-cursor-skipping-jumping-bug-on-mac-os-x/
Additional googling lead to suggestions that you remove /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUpstreamUserClient.kext (Hint: Don't remove it, rename it instead. See below)
cd /System/Library/Extensions/ && sudo mv AppleUpstreamUserClient.kext AppleUpstreamUserClient.kext.old
Now, normally, I don't advocate that regular users mess with system files, but in this case, this "fix" actually worked for me. My advise is to rename that .kext file such that it is easily available if you ever need it, or if removing it causes problems. I would also advise that you not attempt this unless you have a way to restore it (dual boot OS, restore CD to access the file system, Time Machine, etc).
Anyways, the fix worked for me and the Jumpiness with my Logitech G5 is gone.
Update: Just had to do this again under OSX 10.6.7. (I suspect a system update restored the kext file). Problem solved again.
Caligula’s Horse
Just got an interesting Email from the Grayson Campaign. He asks if the story he tells sounds familiar, and I think it does. Spread the word!
(The following email is reproduced in it's entirety, word for word.)
Dear Scott,
Here is a short, and very relevant, history lesson.
The Roman Senate governed Ancient Rome for five centuries. It looked much like the Congress today. The purpose of the Roman Senate was to rule in accordance with the wishes of the Roman People. The building in which the Roman Senate met, the "Curia Julia," still stands in Rome today.
In 27 B.C., Augustus Caesar formally took control of Rome, and established the Roman Empire. But the Roman Emperors didn't abolish the Senate. Instead, the Roman Senate continued to meet, for five more centuries, doing pretty much nothing.
Sound familiar?
During the Roman Empire, the Emperor held all the power. The Senate was simply a debating society, chosen by the Emperor, and serving at his pleasure. To prove this point, in 39 A.D., Emperor Caligula appointed his horse, Incitatus, to the Roman Senate.
What we are heading for, here in America, is something very much like that. The way things are going, Big Money will choose our "leaders" in Congress, and they will serve at Big Money's pleasure.
Big Money doesn't put horses in Congress. Just the hind-quarters of horses.
For the past few weeks, we have shown how Big Money is trying to select - not elect, select -- the Congressman from my district. Big Money has now spent three times as much in lying TV attack ads as all of the money that my Republican opponent has raised. Big Money is going all out to replace me in Congress, because I can't be bought.
Big Money doesn't care who replaces me, as long as he's pliant. It might as well be Caligula's horse.
We are at a turning point in our own history. What will we be? A government of the people, by the people, and for the people? Or a dictatorship, ruled by the Empire of Money?
Truth,
Alan Grayson
P.S. To the 2000 supporters who have contributed to our campaign since this corporate firebombing began, from my heart, thank you.