I don't know if you've been following Lam's travails but this is dumb that Vista just doesn't pick them all up. With any gaming controller it does.
How smart though is xset - with Windows default drivers the trackball and mouse basically use the same settings. As a result I MUST use Setpoint and Mouseworks.
vista sort of has a bad rap when it comes to supporting devices. at least from what I have read. the hype says its all better know in win7.
I use xset to control the acceleration and sensitivity. I use xev to figure out the number of each button. I use a personal xmodmap to rearrange buttons (I have only done this with the turboball) but otherwise the buttons just work when I plug the mouse in.
I don't have a gui where I can select what each button does : (
Having that would be a big convenience but until then its google and the command line.
sometimes with linux you really have to work for it. its not for the feint of heart.