Basic Mouse Operations

Standard Mouse

• A small ball inside the mouse rolls as the mouse is moved
• The ball accumulates dust and dirt and must be occasionally cleaned

Optical Mouse

• An optical sensor detects the movement of the mouse
• Easier to clean than the standard mouse

Mouse Mechanics

• A small ball on the bottom of the mouse rolls along the tabletop
• Some mice use an optical sensor instead of a ball 

Holding The Mouse

• right thumb goes on the left side of the mouse
• First two fingers on top
• Last two fingers on the right side
• Mouse controls can be reset if you are left-handed 

Mouse Pointer

• An "arrow" on the computer display
• Also know as the "cursor"
• Moves as the mouse is moved
• Occasionally changes to another shape (pointing hand)

Left-Click

• A single click on the left mouse button
• Often referred to as just "click"
• Action: selects an item on the screen

Double-Click

• Click twice on the left mouse button
• Action: activates a selected item
• Alternate: left-click and press the Enter key

Reposition

• Lift mouse off the desk or mouse pad
• Move mouse to a new location
• Does not move the mouse pointer

Click & Drag

• Click on an icon on the desktop, while holding down the left mouse button
• Drag the icon to a new location on the desktop

Highlighting

• Used to highlight text on the screen, so that it can be copied
• Position the pointer at one end of the desired text
• Hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse over one or more lines of text

Right-Click

• A single click on the right mouse button
• Action: activates a program-specific pop-up menu
• Note: Some mice have only one button (Macintosh models)

Scroll Wheel

• Available on some mice
• Action: scrolls a window up or down

Mouse Configuration

• A mouse can be programmed for left-hand use or other individual preferences
• Path: Start > Settings > Control Panel > Mouse

Other Pointing Devices

Joystick

• Common on laptop computers
• Looks like the tip of a pencil eraser

Touch Pad

• Common on laptop computers
• User slides a finger on the pad instead of moving a mouse
• Tap the pad as an alternative to left-click (some models)

Trackball

• A small ball is rolled with the fingers