If your laptop uses a Synaptics trackpad (to check, just type mouse into the Start Menu search box to open up the Properties dialog, then hit up the Hardware tab), then there’s a couple of ways you can enable two finger scrolling.

The first method involves downloading new drivers from the Synaptics website, whilst the second utilises a freeware app called, unsurprisingly, Two Finger Scroll. Install the app, set it to active and you’re good to go. Browsing websites just got a whole lot quicker!

Once you get the hang of two finger scrolling, you won’t look back – great tip, How to Geek!

This year, the Microsoft Hardware team are leaning in to support the cause. They note a shocking from the American Cancer Society this week : every 23 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer. These are mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers and friends.

They’ve teamed up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to launch a special edition Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000. $4 from every mouse sold will be donated to the organisation, with a minimum pledge of $200,000. 

The 2.4GHz wireless mouse has a 30 foot range, 10 month battery life and supports Windows Flip to switch between open Windows with the click of a button. It’ll also track on pretty much any surface, so it may look pretty on the outside, but it’s tech-central on the inside.

Now I was at a developer event yesterday, and I’d guess 99% of the guys there may not grab this mouse as their first choice.  So if you think this mouse isn’t for you, buy it anyway and give it to a friend or relation to support this fabulous cause. Donations will be passed on to Susan G Komen for the Cure through to September 11, 2011.

This upcoming special edition of the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 has been made in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which you probably know is the world’s largest breast cancer charitable organization.

Microsoft will be donating 10% of the selling price ($4.00 USD) with a minimum donation of $200,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure when the mouse goes on sale mid-September (retail price: $39.95 USD). The money will be used for research grants and community outreach projects, reports the Microsoft Hardware blog.

The mouse offers pretty great hardware specs, too, including BlueTrack technology, a tiny nano transceiver and customizable buttons. Windows 7 integration is supported as well. For more details, check out the full feature list here on Microsoft.com while you wait for the pink one to arrive in stores and online.

I’ve recently come across freeware like Mazzrick, a portable mouse gesture utility that lets you create your own custom gestures, and the full-featured gMote which, in addition to being portable, supports over 30 actions.

Given the usability of these freeware/donationware programs, I’m not sure why someone would pay for a mouse gestures app, but mgLaunch ($29.95) is hoping you will. Their app launcher is skinnable, so maybe that’s what makes it worth it? I’m not sure, but it also crossed my radar not too long ago, so it may be worth a look. 

Another gesture-based utility is the IE plugin called simply “Mouse Gestures for Internet Explorer.” With this software, you can control various tasks related to your web surfing – like opening and closing windows -  just by drawing a simple symbol on the screen. (Works with XP/Vista/64-bit,  too).

But with computers getting smaller and more portable, I would think more people are using the touchpad than the mouse. Still, the netbook phenomenon may have people starting to pack a mini mouse to go, too, since those netbook touchpads are crazy small.

Are you a fan of mouse gesture applications? If so, feel free to share which ones you like and recommend in the comments.

So, needless to say, when I saw the new, special edition Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 in pink, I immediately added it to my wish list of must-haves.

The mouse is just like its plainer cousin, the "not special edition" Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, complete with the snap-in receiver that saves battery life and the compact shape and size for ultra-portability.

But for those of you who get a little nauseous at the color pink, you should know the mouse also comes in red, green, brown, and khaki.

1. Magnifier: Much better than the built-in tool, IntelliPoint software behaves more like a real magnifying glass. You can select the size of the magnifying window to encompass either a small section of a document, Web page, or photo. The size is customizable by dragging the window to your preferred size. The size you select will be remembered for future use. You can also change the magnification level from 1.5x to 5x.

2. Instant Viewer: With a quick push of the mouse wheel, you can see every application that's open. After moving the cursor to any of the windows, a quick mouse click brings the window to the front.

3. Precision Booster: this increases or decreases the pointer speed for better accuracy. You'll be able to move around the screen much faster. A quick press and hold increases the speed until released, or just press and release the assigned button to toggle the speed up and then press and release again to resume normal speed. The hot keys on the Microsoft keyboards and mice are fully customizable to work with the IntelliPoint software.

4. Flip 3D: Using Flip 3D on the mouse lets your flip through open windows in a stack to quickly switch between your applications. Flip 3D comes pre-programmed to the scroll wheel button on the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 and Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000. Flip 3D also works on some trackball mouses by using the center button.

5. Windows Gadget Button: With IntelliPoint Software Version 6.2 and Supported Hardware, the gadget button offers quick access to customizable content such as weather information, news, traffic and maps.

6. Quick-Launch button: Also with IntelliPoint Software Version 6.2 and Supported Hardware, the quick launch button gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, letting you quickly see the games in your PC's game library.

7. Windows Live Call button: This button (also version 6.2+) lets you access one of your online Windows Messenger contacts, and start a video conversation quickly.

To get the latest updates for your hardware, click here.