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                                     9
                                



                                   Mouse
 






















Help Guide to Buying a Computer





Chapter 9 - Mouse


     The mouse is a small, hand-held, electronic device that controls the
movement of the cursor on a computer screen.  The mouse sends signals to the
computer as it moves across a surface, and the computer software interprets the
signals as cursor movements and button presses.  The mouse was originally
developed in 1963 by Doug Engelbert at Stanford Research Institute.  It was
intended for use with Engelbert's Augment computer, but really grabbed attention
when it was later used by Xerox, Apple (Macintosh) and then Microsoft (see 
Figure 9a).


             -------------------                       ------------------
             |                 |                       |                |
             | Picture of a    |                       | Picture of a   |
             | Microsoft Mouse |                       | Logitech Mouse |
             |                 |                       |                |
             -------------------                       ------------------

Figure 9a - An example of a Microsoft     Figure 9b - An example of a
            mouse (with two buttons).                 typical Logitech 3-
                                                      button mouse.


     For the mouse to work with a software program, that program must be written
to understand the signals sent to it from the mouse.   The mouse works by 
placing a small arrow on the screen that the user controls by moving the mouse 
around on a surface and by pressing the mouse's buttons.  The mouse has really 
become most popular for use with what is called a "Graphical User Interface" 
(see Chapter 11 - Software) for more information on GUI) and it generally allows 
quicker responses and greater (easier) control.  For example:  If you want to 
tell the computer "YES", rather than type it, you simply click (with the mouse) 
on a box (called Yes) and you're done.  It is also great for use with drawing 
and graphics programs where the keyboard just doesn't give the same ease of use.

     About fifteen years ago, another type of pointing device called a trackball
was also invented.  A trackball is kind-of-like a mouse that is sitting upside 
down 














Help Guide to Buying a Computer





Chapter 9 - Mouse


(see Figure 9c).  Rather than move the mouse around a surface (and thus the 
ball inside the mouse), the user moves the ball (which is exposed) with their 
hand.  A mouse is not superior to a trackball and vice-versa.  It really comes 
down to user preference.  In 1991, a device called a "track-mouse" was invented 
which is really a combined mouse and trackball.  The track-mouse was designed 
and intended  for use with laptop computers that don't always have room for a 
regular mouse to be used.  

             
             ---------------------
             |                   |
             | Picture of a      |
             | typical trackball |
             |                   |
             ---------------------
             
Figure 9c - An example of a typical
            trackball.  The buttons are
            on the other side of the
            ball in this figure.


     You may see a mouse that has two buttons and others that have three 
buttons.  Why the difference you ask?  Simple.  When Microsoft developed their 
version of the mouse, they included only two buttons, but when Logitech 
(Microsoft's largest mouse manufacturing competitor) designed their version they 
included three buttons (see Figure 9b).  If you're curious, the Apple Macintosh 
mouse only has one button.  Logitech thought that someday, there would be a 
common use for the third button, but to this day the third button still doesn't 
have a standard use.  If you have a specific need though, that third button can 
be "programmed" to do special things so it can still be handy.  The left and 
right mouse buttons are very standard and used by all "mouse capable" software.  
As a result of this difference in the number of buttons, two mouse standards 
evolved.  Microsoft's version is called "Microsoft mouse mode" while Logitech's 
version is called "PC mouse mode".  Most programs will understand both standards 
and you as a user will probably never know the 














Help Guide to Buying a Computer





Chapter 9 - Mouse


difference.  Today, there really isn't much of a difference in these two mouse 
standards, so choose a mouse that feels right to you and your hand.  If a mouse 
isn't comfortable to you, then you're not likely to use it or enjoy it.  It 
should feel like an extension of your hand. 

     Unfortunately, there is a large gap between a good mouse and a cheap mouse. 
A good mouse (like Logitech or Microsoft) is more expensive, but also tends to 
last longer than a less expensive mouse made by other mouse manufacturers.  I 
hate to say this because I don't want good companies to lose business, but it's 
easier to find a poorly built mouse than it is to find a quality built mouse.  
The mouse is definitely one place where it pays to spend the extra $20-$30 
because otherwise, you may be buying another mouse in a year compared to three 
or four years.  After six years I'm on my third mouse.  The first two were
cheap and broke within a year so I went out and bought a more expensive, quality 
built mouse and have never looked back.  

     Most computer manufacturers today include some type of mouse with the
computer.  If there is a specific mouse design, manufacturer, color, etc. you 
want, then tell the dealer, because they will usually be willing to substitute 
it for you.  Quite a few computers come with either an actual Microsoft or 
Logitech mouse so you can feel safe with these.  Unfortunately, companies that 
try to cut corners will often save money by including a less expensive mouse, so 
be careful.  However, some computer manufacturers include a Microsoft or 
Logitech mouse with their name on it.  For example: Compaq and Dell both sell 
computers with a Logitech mouse included, but they place their name on it rather 
than Logitech's.  It's the same exact mouse except for the name printed on it. 
























Help Guide to Buying a Computer



