GUI basics

Windows 95 basics

Windows 95 shortcut keys

Mouse problems

Mouse adjustments

Monitor adjustments

Classes home

HTML Info home

Windows Basics

Jeff Williamson
Northern Virginia Community College
www.nvcc.edu/home/nvwillj/windows-basics/
nvwillj@nvcc.edu

Mouse adjustments

Windows has several software settings that can be helpful for people with reduced visual or motor skills.  These include adjustments for

mouse pointer enlargement
double-clicking speed

There are also some hardware changes and adjustments that can be made for mouse use.

How to make the mouse pointer larger

1. Click on the Start button
2. Click on settings
3. Click on Control Panel
   
   
4. Double-click the Mouse icon
5. Select the Pointers tab, and under the Scheme menu at the top, select Windows Standard (extra large) or Windows Standard (large)

regular pointer	large pointer

[return to top]

---

Double-clicking

There are three solutions to improve double-clicking: two ways to avoid double-clicking completely, and one way to adjust it.

Two ways to avoid double-clicking completely

Try single-clicking an item.  If that doesn't work, press Enter.

If you have Windows 98 and/or Microsoft Internet Explorer v4, you have the option to open most everything with single clicks.  Go to Start/Programs/Windows Explorer, and under View/Options you have the choice to make everything work with single clicks.

One way to adjust double-clicking

Follow 1-4 in the mouse pointer directions above.

On the Button tab screen (this opens by default), scroll down to "Dobule-click speed"

Move the slider to the left. Try it out by clicking on the jack-in-the-box.

Hardware changes and adjustments

The standard mouse device with most computers can be difficult to use and hard on people with anything less than teenaged hands.  My guess is that everyone will eventually have to adjust their mouse devices - they're just too hard on your hands.

At very minimum, you should use some sort of wrist rest with your mouse.  You can buy these at a computer store or make one yourself.  Anything to relieve

You may also want to consider alternatives to the standard mouse.  These include

using mostly key commands.  Although the two main browsers have some key command support, the $30 browser Opera has far more extensive key command support.  

using a trackball or other different type of mouse

Mouse devices all contain balls which track motion from the device to the screen.

The standard mouse has a ball hidden underneath; the ball moves when you move the mouse.  Trackballs have the ball on top - you manipulate the ball directly with a thumb or finger, so you don't need to move the mouse.

Microsoft EasyBall is a trackball with an extra-large ball.  It was made for children, but I have to wonder if it wouldn't be useful for adults, too.  Just an idea...

standard mouse (ball under)	trackball (ball on top)	EasyBall  (extra-large ball)