Why does a Microsoft wheel mouse require software installation ?

crossposting trimmed
"wylbur37" wrote in message
om...
I was looking for a new mouse at a computer store recently.

There was a wheel mouse (not an optical mouse) packaged by Microsoft,
and the box said that software (included in the package) has to be run
to install it.

There was another wheel mouse (not an optical mouse) packaged by
Logitech, and the box said that *NO* software has to be run to install
it.

Why does the Microsoft mouse require running software for
installation and another brand does not?
(After all, it's not an optical mouse and it's not a wireless mouse).


Well, if it's like the various Microsoft mice I've bought in the past:

-it will work without any software being installed, regardless of whether
it's USB or PS/2 type;
-the Intellimouse software is usually there to provide additional features,
for example the ability to re-program the additional buttons.
-the "basic" buttons - left, right, centre/wheel - should work without any
software, but sometimes the software has to be installed in order for
"additional" buttons to work, for example the buttons on the sides of
certain MS mice.

Hope this helps..