Using the Mouse

What is the mouse?

The mouse is the small rectangular box connected to your computer's keyboard by a wire. It has one or more buttons on it.

What do I do with the mouse?

You use the mouse to point at things on the screen of your computer.

How do I make the mouse point at something?

On your computer screen, you may see a small arrow called the mouse pointer. If you slide the mouse around on the desk or its pad (the piece of spongy rubber or metal upon which the mouse sits) you will see the mouse pointer move. Whatever the mouse pointer's arrow head touches on the screen is the thing at which the mouse points.

How do I click on something with the mouse?

If there is something (like a button or list item) you'd like to click on, you first point the mouse at the button, then press and release the button (or leftmost button if there are more than one) on top of your mouse.

What if I don't see the pointer?

If you can't see the mouse pointer, you can move the mouse so the arrow will move on screen. This may help you see it.

What if I tried to click a screen button and nothing happened?

You may not have been pointing at the screen button when you pressed and released the mouse button. The screen button will be highlighted (change color) momentarily when you click it.

Editing a Program


This document is copyright 1994 by Joseph N. Wilson.
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