Using the Mouse
Most modern computers have an operating system (such as MS Windows XP) that is a Graphical
User Interface or G.U.I. This means that you interact with the computer by using a device called
a mouse.
A mouse is an input device, just like a keyboard. The mouse needs to sit on a smooth, flat,
horizontal surface, preferably on a mouse pad. Mouse pads are usually plastic or fabric coated
rubber pads usually about 8 inches by 10 inches. If you are right handed, you should use the
mouse with your right hand. Most of the time the mouse will be located on the right side of the
computer next to the keyboard. Left handed users might prefer to move the mouse to the left side
of the keyboard which makes it easier to use with the left hand.
As you slide the mouse across the mouse pad, the computer translates the motion of several
rollers inside the mouse into the movements of the mouse pointer across the computer screen.
There are two button on the mouse: the left mouse button and the right mouse button. Some
mice also have a “scroll wheel” in the center of the mouse between the two buttons.
Left (index) Mouse Button
This is the one you will use
the most.
The right hand index finger
usually rests here and is
used to click this button.
Right Mouse Button
Usually used to perform
special functions.
The middle finger or index
finger, whichever feels more
comfortable to you, rests
here and clicks the button.
Scroll Wheel
Used to move up and down
on a page.
Thumb Rest
Place the thumb of your right
hand against the mouse here to
steady and control the mouse.
Palm Rest
Place the palm of your right hand
here to help steady and control
the mouse.
The Left Mouse Button:
The left mouse button is the one that you will use for more most of the basic computer functions.
The left mouse button is used in the following ways:
Click: A click is a single press of the left mouse button. This is generally done when
selecting a menu item or moving the blinking cursor in an application such as Microsoft
Word to the point in which the cursor was when the button was pressed.
Double-Click: A double-click is two presses of the left mouse button in rapid succession.
A double-click is necessary to open a program from the Windows desktop. By doubleclicking on one of the icons on the Windows desktop, the program associated with that
icon will open.
Click and Drag: To drag means to hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse
so that the cursor is moved to another location on the screen. For example, if you want to
select a line of text, move the mouse pointer to the beginning of the text you want to
select, click the left mouse button but keep the button held down instead of releasing it,
move (drag) the mouse pointer to the end of the selection, then release the mouse button.
The text that you have “selected” will be highlighted.
The Right Mouse Button:
The right mouse is a context-sensitive shortcut button. This means that it allows you to
access certain functions, which vary from program to program, simply by pressing the right
mouse button within an application. A right click within a certain application will generally
cause a menu to appear next to the mouse cursor. If no menu appears when you click the
right mouse button, there is no function available for that application or that specific area of
the screen. The menu will contain shortcuts to some of the available functions of that
program. The term shortcuts means that the functions available in the right click menu are
available else where in the program but they are available via the right click menu for quick
and easy access.
The only way that the right mouse button works is with a single click. There are no doubleclick associated with the right mouse button and there is no drag function associated with the
right mouse button either.
Summary of Mouse Clicks
•
Type of Click
Click
•
How to Perform Click
One Click of the left mouse
button
•
When to Use Click
To select an image or icon
•
To move items around the computer’s
desktop
•
To navigate the cursor through a word
processing program
•
Double-click
•
Two click of the left mouse
button
•
To execute an action such as opening a
program
•
Right-click
•
One click of the right mouse
button
•
To expose shortcuts in a variety of
programs