Mouse

A computer mouse is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI (graphical user interface) and can move and select text, icon,files and folders on your computer.

For desktop computers, the mouse is placed on a flat surface (e.g., mouse or desk) in front of your computer. The picture is an example of a Logitech desktop computer mouse with two primary buttons and a wheel.

Who invented the mouse?

The mouse was initially known as the X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System and was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963 while working at Xerox PARC. But, due to Alto's lack of success, the first widely used application of the mouse was with the Apple Lisa computer. Today, this pointing device is on virtually every computer.

What are the uses of a mouse?

Below is a list of all the computer mouse functions and options to give you an idea of all the mouse capabilities.

1. Move the mouse cursor - The primary function is to move the mouse pointer on the screen.

2. Point - Once the mouse is moved, you can point something out for another user or point a digital object. For example, in a game you can use the mouse to point a gun in the direction to shoot.

3. Open or execute a program - Once you've moved the pointer to an icon, folder, or another object clicking or double-clicking that object opens the document or executes the program. Some programs even support tripple-clicking. See our click page for further information on mouse clicking.

4. Select - A mouse also allows you to select text or a file or highlight and select multiple files at once.

4. Drag-and-drop - Once something is selected, it can also be moved using the drag-and-drop method.

5. Hover - Moving the mouse cursor over objects with hover information helps discover each object's function. For example, hover the mouse over the "hover" link to see an example.

6. Scroll - When working with a long document or viewing a long web page, you may need to scroll up or down. To scroll, rotate the mouse wheel, or click-and-drag the scroll bar. The mouse wheel can also be used as a button. See the IntelliMouse page for further information and functions of the mouse wheel.

7. Perform other functions - Many desktop mice also have buttons that can be programmed to perform any function. For example, many mice have two side buttons on the thumb portion of the mouse. The button closest to the palm can be programmed to go back to the previously viewed web page in a browser.

How has the mouse increased computer usability?

When using a computer mouse, you don't have to memorize commands, such as those utilized in a text-based command line environment like MS-DOS. For example, in MS-DOS, you would need to know the cd command and dir command and type the commands on the keyboard to open a directory (folder) and view its files. Whereas a Windows user only has to double-click to open a folder and see its contents.

Types of computer mice

Below is a listing of all the types of computer mice and pointing devices used with a computer. Today, for a desktop computer, the most common type of mouse is an optical mouse that connects to the USB port and known as a USB mouse. For laptop computers, the most common type of mouse is the touchpad.