The computer's mouse controls a graphical mouse pointer or mouse cursor on the screen. When you move the mouse around by rolling it on your desk, the pointer on the screen moves in a similar manner. Roll the mouse left, and the pointer moves left; roll it in circles, and the pointer mimics that action; drop the mouse off the table and your computer bruises. (Just kidding.)
Here are some of the more basic mouse operations:
- Point: When you're told to "point the mouse," you move the mouse on the desktop, which moves the mouse pointer on the screen to point at something interesting (or not).
- Click: A click is a press of the mouse button - one press and release of the main button, the one on the left. This action makes a clicking sound, which is where this maneuver gets its name. Clicking is often done to select something or to identify a specific location on the screen.
- Right-click: This action is the same as a click, though the right mouse button is used.
- Double-click: This one works just like the single click, though you click twice in the same spot - usually, rather rapidly. This is most commonly done in Windows to open something, such as an icon. Both clicks must be on (or near) the same spot for the double-click to work.
- Drag: The drag operation is done to graphically pick something up on the screen and move it. To do that, you point the mouse at the thing you want to drag and then press and hold the mouse's button. Keep the mouse button down, which "picks up" the object, and then move the mouse to another location. As you move the mouse (and keep the button down) the object moves. To release, or drop, the object, release the mouse button.
- Right-drag: This action is the same as a drag, but the mouse's right button is used instead.
Many of these basic mouse operations can be combined with keys on the keyboard. For example, a Shift+click means pressing the Shift key on the keyboard while clicking the mouse. A Ctrl+drag means pressing and holding the Ctrl key while you drag an object with the mouse.
Follow these tips when using your mouse:
- The best way to find out how to use a computer mouse is to play a computer card game, such as Solitaire or FreeCell (both of which come with Windows). You should have the mouse mastered in only a few frustrating hours.
- You don't need to squeeze the mouse; a gentle grip is all that's necessary.
- Press and release the mouse button to click.
- If you double-click your mouse and nothing happens, you may not be clicking fast enough.
