Mousing Around

Mousing Around

By: Scott Hendison � Published: November 1999

For new computer users, one of the most basic concepts of using Microsoft Windows can be difficult to figure out on your own. Knowing which mouse button to click when, and how many times to click it is easy to master once you know what they do.
First of all, for ease of explanation, forget about the middle button, or the scroll wheel on your mouse if you have one. This is Mousing 101 and we only have two buttons, a left and a right.

Clicking and releasing the left mouse button has two basic functions while in Windows, and not on the Internet. Let's call them "select" and "open program". A single left click on any icon will select it. Notice how it turns a different color from the rest to show you it's been selected. The second immediate left click on this same icon will then open it. The trick is to keep the mouse completely still while performing both clicks, and to get in the second click quickly after the first. Any movement by the mouse between your clicks invalidates the second click and makes Windows "think" you are just selecting again. If the second click is tough for you to perform easily, try turning down the "click speed" in the "Mouse" section of the "Control Panel" (see "Control Panel and Then Some," Oct. 99).

Single left clicks are always used for all of the "pull down" menus at the top of your window, like "file," "edit," "view" etc. Single left clicks are also always used to activate the three boxes in the upper right corner of your open window. You probably know that those boxes "minimize" the window to the smallest size at the bottom of your screen, "maximize" the window to its largest size, filling your screen, or "Exit" the window (or program) altogether. Finally, single left clicks are always used for all "buttons" or choices that Windows or another software program may give you, like "Okay" or "Cancel."

Other left click features are available when you click and hold the button down. When you do this, you can move icons around on the desktop. Also, by clicking and holding on the "title bar" at the very top of any open window, you can move it where you want it. Many people will run two windows side by side by moving and resizing their windows. More advanced users will use the click and hold method to "drag" files from one part of their computer to another.

On the Internet though, or when looking at any "hypertext" (which is usually underlined) single clicks do not select. The first click actually sort of happens by itself as the mouse cursor is placed over the "link". Notice that the pointer turns into a finger. That means you only have to single click to "open" or "go" the new location. Windows 98 actually has a feature that let's you turn your whole computer into this single click mode. While I find it extremely aggravating, many people prefer its simplistic functionality. It's called "Active Desktop" and can be turned on by going to the "Start" button - "Settings" - "Folder Options." Select the dot called "Web Style" and see if you like it.

Whew! I didn't realize that there was so much to say about the left button! If I get any feedback from you, maybe I can talk about the right button another time. Each month I rack my brain trying to guess what might interest you. Please send me e-mails with suggestions for future columns or with questions you'd like to see answered. I need help!

The more you know, the less you need me. I guess if I do a really good job, then nobody will ever read my articles. That's a happy thought, isn't it?