linux: dual mice - multiple mice with multiple mouse pointers?

Question

is it possible to use more then one mouse in Linux so that there's two pointers controlled by two mice?

or

can i get raw data like x,y from a second mouse even if there's no pointer?

Solution 1

I've found a way to do it, but it causes major tearing with Gnome.

1. Open a terminal and type in xinput (all commands should be done as normal user).
   Look at the id of the one of your mice.

2. Then create a new master device with this command xinput create-master "name".

3. Now you just need to reattach one of your mice to the new master xinput reattach "mouse id" "new master id".

Note this works but is not practical, at least until it's implemented properly in the GUI. To revert this you will probably have to do it blind, but the commands are as follows xinput reattach "mouse id" "old master id" then xinput remove-master "new master id".

Notes:
- "name" means the name to give the new master, anything will work
- "mouse id" is the id number of the mouse you want to attach to the new master
- "new master id" is the id number of the new master you created
- "old master id" is the id number of the master that was there to begin with

Solution 2

Easy. Use a program like openpie and write your own multiple mouse script (allot easier than it sounds, I think you can find a pre-written dual mouse glovepie script [just google 'glovepie dual mouse')] NB: you will need more than one input method for separate mouse control.

good luck I used 6 mice at once :)

Solution 3

You'll need to replace your window manager with one that supports double mice. The only one that does this is an experimental one based off of icewm.

http://multicursor-wm.sourceforge.net/

You'll also need to update your XServer to support multiple mice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-Pointer_X

Comments

[Hjulle]

This causes Xorg to segfault for me.

[Ayrat]

This worked! but unity-panel got segfaulted.. The use case for this feature is: on laptop with trackpoint and touchpad, two windows side by side. Then I would love to use trackpoint for the left window and touchpad for the right one (so you don't have to rush the pointer between windows).

[aggregate1166877]

Still works flawlessly in 2019 with Linux Mint 19. Now if only there was a way of making the one cursor black and the other white to more easily differentiate between the two.

[martian17]

No one seemed to mention Multiseat, so here it is help.ubuntu.com/community/MultiseatX

[Iacchus]

Works like a charm with AwesomeWM, Jan. 2021. I made a gist for your reply gist.github.com/iacchus/bf2a5a517db31c379772401b0ddf8188