The mouse is the most common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every mouse has two buttons and most have one or two scroll wheels.
- By default the left button is used to select items. The right button is assigned as a context or alternate menu. A single wheel is normally set to scroll up and down on the active page . If a second wheel is present, it is usually assigned to scroll left and right on the page.
- The button functions can be reassigned by going to Control Panel > Mouse > Buttons tab.
- Data is transferred to the PC over a short cable with a circular 6-pin Mini-din connector that plugs into the back of the motherboard. This type of mouse sells for $10 to $25 depending on the style, button and wheel configuration.
- Some versions of the mouse are wireless. They communicate with a receiver pod that is plugs into the mouse port. Radio Frequency (RF) or InfraRed (IR) technology is used for communication between the mouse and the pod. These sell in the $30 to $45 range.
There are two designs used in a mouse for detecting motion:
Track ball
This type of mouse uses a rolling (track) ball. As the mouse moves the ball rolls. The rolling motion is converted electronically into matching movements of the mouse pointer that moves across your video display.
The track ball mouse is rapidly becoming another casualty of rapidly changing technology. The optical mouse has pretty much replaced it. The track ball mouse is already becoming a thing of the past.
Optical
This mouse uses an InfraRed transmitter/receiver pair to optically detect the motion of the mouse. It has a number of advantages over the track ball mouse:
- No mouse pad is required.
- Can work on any flat surface
- No rolling track ball that collects and transfers dirt to the internal rollers, making them slip. When they do, your mouse pointer jumps around in an unpredictable and annoying way!
See the Easy Tips section of this web site for an explanation on how to clean a track ball mouse.