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Cheap Tricks for computer success
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Mouseless menusWhen you’re running an application, instead of clicking your way through the pulldown menus with your mouse, you can keep your hands on the keyboard. Press the F10 function key at the top of your keyboard and then navigate through the menus with your Arrow keys. This is one trick that works on both Windows and Macintosh computers. Free *Cheap Trick* of the Week: February 19, 2001 |
| Why would you want to do this, though? Generally, working the
mouse with your left hand (not normal, but highly recommended to
adopt this practice) and the 10-key pad with your right avoids
fatigue and maximizes efficiency. But then, there are all those other keys. If you're a touch typist, it can be annoying to have to go on and off the keyboard. If you're not a touch typist, you are really lacking a key skill in today's world. You can use a typing tutorial program to pick up that skill. Once you've accomplished this, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. So using menus without a mouse may be a good option for you. It's also worth learning a few keyboard short cuts. Don't waste time trying to learn every possible combination. The most commonly-used, and thus typically most useful, ones are:
Another reason menus without a mouse may be good for you is the dreaded laptop mouse problem. Dell has done a pretty good job with its mouse function, but most laptop makers have really dropped the ball on this one. Even Dell's approach leaves something to be desired, so it's not as if Dell's mouse implementation makes it THE laptop brand to go with. Those mouseless menus can save you some frustration. As can those keyboard shortcuts. What about the mouse itself? Computer mice have come a long way. At one time, the trackball was a much better solution. The reason the trackball beat the mouse at the time was the rubber ball in the mouse had to be removed and cleaned frequently or you had mouse accuracy problems. Then came the optical mouse. Much better, because there was no ball to get gunked up. However, the mouse was still a problem because the cord created resistance. The wireless mouse solved that problem. There is still the issue of keeping the mousepad clean, but if you're not a slob that's not much of an issue. The new problem is the battery. Some mice have a single AA battery, some have two. The solution to the battery problem, and this goes for all of your AA battery devices (and you may have plenty of them, including remote controls, body fat scale, camera, and various gadgets) is to pick up a rechargeable battery charger and some rechargeable batteries. Just make a point of keeping a full complement of batteries charged up and waiting. This would be two batteries for a dual battery charger, but four batteries for the quad charger. Don't use the charger unless it's full, and don't try to charge alkaline batteries with it. As for your keyboard, clean it once a week. Turn it upside down over a sink or wastebasket, and work the keys (with it unplugged, of course). Wipe it with a dry cloth to remove finger oils, then a damp cloth to remove anything else. |
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