The Mouse

A mouse is a small interface device that sits on your desk and moves easily under your hand. The movements you exert on the mouse cause an arrow, or mouse pointer, to move on the screen. You move the mouse on a flat surface (preferably a mouse pad) to move the mouse pointer on your screen.

A mouse is equipped with keys, often referred to as buttons.

Notice we use the term mouse “key” rather than mouse “button.” The reason for this is that in many windows programs, there are “buttons” on the screen. To avoid sentences like, “Using the left mouse button, click on the OK button,” we use the term “mouse key.”

Generally, pressing a key causes an action to occur. However, the relationship between pressing a key and causing an action to occur is dependent on where the pointer is when you press the key. If the mouse pointer is on an icon or a word in a menu or command line, pressing a key causes an action. On the other hand, if the mouse pointer is on an area of the screen that is not associated with a mouse action, pressing a key does nothing.

You use a mouse to navigate in both Windows and in the program. A unique feature of the program is that it enables you to use the mouse to complete most of your work. This means that, if you’re not an expert typist, you can still carry out tasks quickly. The program uses the mouse to move windows, change the size and shape of windows, and to bring up menus and make selections from them. (You will still need to do some typing, but knowing how to use the mouse will eliminate most of it.)

If you run out of room for the mouse, simply lift it and put it back down where you have more room. Moving the mouse through the air does not move the pointer.

The program uses a two key mouse. If you have a three key mouse, the program uses the first and third keys. Microsoft Windows and other windows applications may use all three mouse keys.

The following definitions of the mouse actions will help you begin to use your mouse with the program.

Double-Click and Drag