# bus mouse

> type of computer mouse

**Wikidata**: [Q5001222](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5001222)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_mouse)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bus-mouse

## Summary
A **bus mouse** is a type of computer mouse that connects to a computer via a bus interface, such as the Microsoft InPort, rather than using a serial port. It was a precursor to modern USB mice, offering a different connection method for early computing systems.

## Key Facts
- **Subclass of**: Computer mouse (hand-held device used to move a pointer on a computer display)
- **Connection method**: Often uses Microsoft InPort (a bus interface)
- **Inception**: Part of the broader computer mouse class, which debuted in 1963
- **Wikidata description**: "Type of computer mouse"
- **Wikipedia presence**: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Norwegian
- **Image reference**: [ISA mouse adapter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ISA_mouse_adapter.JPG) (Wikimedia Commons)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04vpnn
- **Sitelink count**: 4 (Wikipedia pages)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main difference between a bus mouse and other computer mice?
A: A bus mouse connects to a computer via a bus interface (e.g., Microsoft InPort) rather than a serial port, distinguishing it from later USB or PS/2 mice.

### Q: When was the computer mouse first invented?
A: The computer mouse was invented in 1963, with the bus mouse being a specific variant of this device.

### Q: Are bus mice still used today?
A: Bus mice are obsolete, having been replaced by USB and wireless mice in modern computing.

### Q: What was the primary use of a bus mouse?
A: Bus mice were used in early computing systems to provide pointer control via a bus interface.

### Q: Where can I find more information about bus mice?
A: Information is available on Wikipedia in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, and Norwegian.

## Why It Matters
The bus mouse was an early innovation in computer input devices, bridging the gap between mechanical and digital interfaces. It demonstrated the flexibility of bus architectures in connecting peripherals, though its reliance on proprietary interfaces like Microsoft InPort limited its long-term viability. As computing evolved, the bus mouse was eventually superseded by more standardized and user-friendly connection methods, such as USB and wireless technologies. Its legacy, however, lies in the foundational role it played in the development of modern pointing devices.

## Notable For
- **Early bus interface adoption**: One of the first mice to use a bus connection (Microsoft InPort) instead of serial ports.
- **Wikimedia Commons documentation**: Features an image of an ISA mouse adapter, providing visual context for the device.
- **Multilingual Wikipedia coverage**: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Norwegian, indicating its historical relevance.
- **Obsolete but historically significant**: Represents a transitional phase in computer input technology.

## Body
### Classification and Function
The bus mouse is a **subclass of computer mouse**, designed to interact with early computing systems. Unlike later mice that used serial or USB connections, the bus mouse relied on bus interfaces like Microsoft InPort for data transfer.

### Historical Context
The bus mouse emerged during the **1960s–1980s**, coinciding with the rise of personal computing. Its development reflected the need for more efficient peripheral connections, though proprietary interfaces like Microsoft InPort limited its widespread adoption.

### Technical Specifications
- **Connection**: Primarily used Microsoft InPort, a bus interface often associated with early IBM-compatible systems.
- **Image reference**: The [ISA mouse adapter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ISA_mouse_adapter.JPG) on Wikimedia Commons provides a visual representation of the device.

### Wikipedia and Digital Presence
- **Wikipedia titles**: "Bus mouse" (English), "バスマウス" (Japanese), "버스 마우스" (Korean), and "Bussmus" (Norwegian).
- **Sitelink count**: 4, indicating limited but consistent documentation across languages.

### Obsolete Status
The bus mouse is no longer in use, having been replaced by more standardized and user-friendly input devices. Its legacy is primarily academic, serving as an example of early computing peripherals.