The Mouse....

This is an article I probably should have written earlier than now. To be truthful it is not something I considered until very recently. I happened to notice that my Daughter who is a left handed child has been having trouble with the mouse. Our mouse is set for a right handed person (Mom). OOps! I should have realized before now what effect the mouse configurations can have for our children. The mouse plays a significant role in the computer. It is every bit as important as the keyboard and in some cases it may be more important. Windows allows you to change the settings for the mouse which can be important for younger computer users and left handed users. It is very simple to change and might be something to show your child if they are old enought to understand the commands involved. That is going to be the point of this article.

Windows is set up so that the left button is for general click and select jobs. The right button is for showing shortcut menus. You can switch the roles of these two buttons whenever you want. This takes us back to the left handed person. If you are a right handed person try switching the buttons and see how difficult it can make things for you. This will give you an idea of how difficult it can be for a lefty. To change this configuration open the Start menu and go to the Settings and click. When the next menu comes up, click on Control Panel. When the folder opens for the Control Panel click on the Mouse icon. The shape of the icon can vary depending on the type of pointing device you have, but it will say "mouse" underneath of it. The Mouse Properties folder will open and you can choose right or left handed for the mouse. Simply point to the desired setting and click on that little dot/box.

While you have this folder open look at some of the other options available here. Notice that you can change the double-click speed. If you have a younger child who is learning to use your computer you might want to consider slowing down the speed a tad bit. This will make it easier for kids whose motor skills are little less developed to use a mouse. This will in turn help keep them from getting frustrated with the computer and taking a notion to quit trying to learn. You can also make it faster if you feel that would make it easier for your child. I don't recommend this unless your student is older. It truly can lead to frustration. To give yourself an example of what I am talking about, try speeding it up about a centimeter more than what you are used to and see how it makes you feel when you try it. GRRRR! will probably be your response in short time. You may have to work with this a little to get it just right for your little learner. Be patient and listen to their responses. (some advice I should have told myself before now)

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