Tell the _novice_ user to read the documentation and change the X configuration, under the risk of messing it up and lose the graphical interface, is not exactly user friendly.
However, asking the user for the correct mouse configuration is, indeed, a very good idea.
An alternative solution would be to setup a serial mouse if no pointing input device was detected. I cannot imagine using the X without such device. Most users also think so. If the system admin don't want a mouse, he may manually change the X configuration: it's much better an experienced person change that than a novice user.
Tell the _novice_ user to read the documentation and change the X configuration, under the risk of messing it up and lose the graphical interface, is not exactly user friendly.
However, asking the user for the correct mouse configuration is, indeed, a very good idea.
An alternative solution would be to setup a serial mouse if no pointing input device was detected. I cannot imagine using the X without such device. Most users also think so. If the system admin don't want a mouse, he may manually change the X configuration: it's much better an experienced person change that than a novice user.