14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has made available for download a new release of the Windows MultiPoint Mouse Software Development Kit. Version 1.5 of the SDK, currently up for grabs via the Microsoft Download Center, is designed to embrace the latest iterations of the Windows client and server platforms from Microsoft. With Windows MultiPoint Mouse SDK, Microsoft is offering developers a framework designed to allow the creation of applications which can be used simultaneously via 25 individual mouse devices. As of v1.5, the MultiPoint Mouse SDK comes with support for the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.
“As a developer, you can use the MultiPoint Mouse SDK to create educational applications that take advantage of collaborative learning methodologies. In schools with minimum infrastructure, MultiPoint Mouse greatly enhances the shared computing experience. Initial pilot programs conducted in India by Microsoft Research show that for certain subjects, MultiPoint Mouse can enhance learning when compared to a 1:1 computing scenario,” Microsoft explained.
In addition to Windows 7, MultiPoint Mouse SDK 1.5 also supports Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows XP SP3, Microsoft informed. According to the Redmond company, developers are able to leverage both Visual Studio 2010 and Visual Studio 2008 when working with the SDK. Another key aspect of the evolution to version 1.5 is the fact that the MultiPoint Mouse SDK now plays nice with both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) operating systems and applications. In addition, end users will be able to personalize their cursors in accordance with new customization capabilities involving color and custom images.
“MultiPoint Mouse should not be confused with applications that allow multiple people to control multiple mouse devices to perform standard operations. In those cases, the system traditionally cannot identify which mouse has made which changes, and there is normally no option for controlling the permissions of the various devices. MultiPoint Mouse is a development framework that enables developers to build applications to take advantage of multiple mouse devices, including the ability to handle mouse clicks from different users independently and to assign different permissions to each mouse. For example, the mouse belonging to a teacher in a learning application might need additional permissions to control the activity,” the company added.
Windows MultiPoint Mouse Software Development Kit 1.5 is available for download here.