so I searched and mainly found forums about macbooks. Im using a windows based laptop without a built in middle mouse button. Oh boy does houdini dislike that!

What are some suggestions from fellow laptop users? is there a way to turn a key + a mousebutton to simulate the middle mouse button? An enviornment variable that doesn't remove the ability to use middle mouse when I have a mouse?

I have the same thing using Houdini at home, I simply bought a usb mouse (with a mmb).

There might be some way to make the trackpad on the laptop do a mmb, but I would think its too clunky and mmb is used a lot in Houdini (as I guess you know!), so I would go the buy a mouse route personally!

30 second google turned up this:

http://neatdecisions.com/products/neatmouse/ [neatdecisions.com]

Just set it up the same as on my macbook, middle mouse on the appkey (one between alt and ctrl to the left of the spacebar), works fine.