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The vast majority of computer mice (mouses?) come with more than just the required "left-click" button. As well as moving the pointer around the screen, the mouse allows you to start applications or select things. But the mouse can pack in a lot more functionality than that. The average mouse of today is likely to feature the normal left-click button, a right-click button, a scroll wheel (small wheel on top) and maybe one or more additional buttons. If you are continuing to work on a computer which merely has a single button, you are missing out on a lot of time-saving features, and it would be well worth the small cost of buying a new mouse. There are, as you would expect, quite a number of mouse designs and makes to choose from - and they vary in size (tiny ones to pack with a laptop, to large ones for the bigger hand). They may be shaped to fit your hand, or just be the rounded oblongs. As usual, you will reap the rewards of investing a bit of time understanding what your mouse can do and how it can be configured for the way you use your computer. For example, many mice have a scroll wheel. This is of particular benefit when reading documents or webpages on the screen - simply roll the scroll wheel up or down and what you are looking at will scroll up and down too. You can probably configure the speed at which the scrolling takes place, and if the scroll wheel is also built to be a "middle-click" button, you can configure what happens when you press down on the wheel as if it is a button - commonly, you will see a symbol appear on-screen and if you move the mouse pointer above that symbol, the page scrolls up. Move the mouse pointer beneath the symbol, and the page scrolls down. Handy if you are scanning through a long document. The "left-click" button (ie. the mouse clicker on the left-hand side) is typically assigned to 'do something'. Click twice (ie. double-click) on an icon on the Desktop and you will launch that application or open that document/file. The "right-click" button on the other hand is typically assigned to bring up a menu of choices that depend on where the pointer is, what application you are currently using, and what options are appropriate. For example, right-click when you are typing a Word document and you will see a list of formatting options and insertion options. Left-click and right-click stuff are not unique to the mouse - it's just another way of doing things. There are nearly always three ways of doing any task - use the menu at the top, press a particular combination of keys, or use the left/right click buttons of the mouse. Many mice ie. those with additional buttons allow you to assign your own functions to the additional keys. Check the documentation or help files that come with your mouse for details - and always remember, Google Is Your Friend, so whatever your mouse you are bound to find out more about it online. Column brought to you by Tony Phelps of Winch Websites - comments & suggestions welcome to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Column contains personal beliefs & opinions, general advice. Exersise appropriate care before applying to your own situation. |