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customized macbook xorg.conf – including double-tap, right-click, scrolling, etc.

I’ve been working on a complete guide to installing Ubuntu on a MacBook, part of which includes a customized xorg.conf to offer right-click, double-tap, scrolling and other such functionality. In a release-early, release-often mindset I wanted to post my config now. If you run Ubuntu on a macbook this might be helpful. If you have any suggestions to add I would appreciate hearing about those as well.

Ooh, if you’re running on a MacBook Pro there is a similar config for that hardware available here.

Remember, before you update *any* of your xorg.conf it is *always* a good idea to back it up. The last thing you want is a b0rk3d graphical server with no revert options. (sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf-date).

…and if you read this far you can view / download my xorg.conf here:

macbook customized xorg.conf

The main magic is in the Section “Input Device”.

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Post a comment — Trackback URI RSS 2.0 feed for these comments This entry (permalink) was posted on Monday, June 4, 2007, at 1:28 pm by Christer Edwards. Filed in macbook.

12 Comments

Adam

Does the scrolling function as it does under OS X where dragging two fingers up/down or left/right activates vertical or horizontal scrolling respectively; or is scrolling achieved by dragging on the side of the pad?

Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 2:30 pm | Permalink
Ubuntu Tutorials

The scrolling function works on the right-side of the trackpad. I have never tried to duplicate the two-finger scroll like in OS X.

Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 3:51 pm | Permalink
thouters

Personaly I don’t like tapping (why the hell would you tap a touchpad?), the macbook has a nice large button to act as its left mouse button and you hover your thumb over it anyway when moving the cursor.

I mapped the left apple key (meta) to right-click using the mac button emulator driver from the kernel. If you always have your left hand over the keyboard, right clicking only requires you to lower your thumb.

Two finger scrolling has been a feature you can use with the synaptics driver for ages. It works beautifully and in four directions. I’m a gentoo user and put my config up at http://www.thouters.be/pub/stickies/xorg-macbook-1.conf if you’re interested.

Posted on 05-Jun-07 at 12:12 pm | Permalink
Nathan DBB

Trackpad gestures are patented (applied for) by Apple!

http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/72/apple-applies-for-patents-for-touchpad-technology/

Software patents will not be defeated becuse they are a tool that the established use to keep out the entrepreneurs and originals. The established give the campaign donations to the elected, and went to school with the judge.

Posted on 05-Jun-07 at 12:31 pm | Permalink
Mylo

I have linux on my mac. I’ve just been playing around with kde and an extra monitor.

If you can work out how to get the screens working independently (right click on desktop -> Configure Desktop -> Screen) that would be a champion effort.

I’ve got a bit of spare time over the next couple of weeks, and I know I’ll be thanking myself later for putting in the effort.

Later dude

Posted on 14-Jun-07 at 9:09 am | Permalink
Michael Moore

Oh man, I was excited to have a nice premade xorg.conf, but it’s using /dvorak/!

I’ll probably just fix that, but maybe you could provide a non dvorak xorg.conf as well?

Thanks!
Michael

Posted on 07-Jul-07 at 9:05 pm | Permalink
Ubuntu Tutorials

Michael – I did not even think about that. I will update the file now to use the us layout. thank you for the reminder!

Posted on 07-Jul-07 at 11:47 pm | Permalink
Bast

Hi,

Few months ago, i speak about this article. Now I just seen that the xorg.conf file isn’t available anymore.

The last time, i copied the touchpad section. You can find it on my weblog : http://bastnic.info/index.php/post/2007/06/05/Configurer-au-poil-son-serveur-X-sous-Ubuntu-Feisty-Fawn (in French, apparead on the french ubuntu planet).

Sincerely,

Posted on 20-Nov-07 at 5:23 pm | Permalink
Max

I’ve actually modified the synaptics source to allow for two finger right click and two finger scrolling exactly like in OsX. I also added three finger middle click support. The problem is that when I contacted the original author of the package, I didn’t get any response. If anyone can tell me how I can get these features published into the next version of the driver, that would be appreciated… also appreciated I’m sure by all the people that would like multiple finger touchpad support in linux.

Posted on 28-Mar-08 at 8:39 am | Permalink
dc

you should maybe warn more loudly that it is dvorak … it is easy to not notice when you are quickly running configs trying to get things tweakeds

Posted on 28-Apr-08 at 10:16 am | Permalink
Christer Edwards

@dc – my mistake. I’ve updated the file.

Posted on 28-Apr-08 at 10:43 am | Permalink
Cody

MAX! I’m interested big time on that fix. Would you mind sharing them?

Posted on 28-Apr-08 at 7:40 pm | Permalink

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