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Mice |
Mice are input devices used with practically all
modern computers. It's probably safe to assume that, since you're
reading this, you are using one. Most computer users probably don't
think twice about the mouse they use, but there are plenty of
different choices out there.
Mice can be wired—connected to the computer via a cable—or wireless.
Wired mice have the benefit of not needing batteries, but the cable
may restrict movement or create additional clutter. Wireless mice
require batteries, but have no cables to get tangled or cause
clutter. With rechargeable batteries becoming an efficient way to
power such devices, a wireless mouse is often a good choice.
The method used to track mouse movement changed in the recent past,
and may be going through another change now. Originally, mice used a
rubber ball that would roll as the mouse was moved. Sensor wheels
inside the mouse would detect this movement and relay the
information to the computer. These mice often had problems with the
ball or sensors becoming dirty, causing the input to be rough and
jumpy. Most mice currently available instead use light from an LED
to track movement of the mouse over a surface. This provides a
smoother input, and dirt is much less likely to build up and cause
problems. Some mice are now using lasers to track movement. Lasers
allow the smoothest and quickest-responding input so far, and are
often used by gamers who require such quick reaction time.
Laser-equipped mice are also more expensive, and typical users won't
notice any difference.
The other main difference between mice is the number of buttons they
have. Since each button has the potential to perform a unique
function, using a mouse with more buttons can be helpful. Most (if
not all) mice used with Windows computers have at least two buttons,
providing “primary” and “secondary” functions (sometimes called
left-clicking and right-clicking). A scroll wheel in between those
two buttons is common, and can also be clicked like a button in many
cases. This “middle-click” often adds some additional scrolling
capabilities. For example, in Internet Explorer clicking the middle
button and moving the mouse in any direction causes the current
webpage to scroll in that direction. Additional buttons can be added
to the sides of the mouse, and are commonly used for “back” and
“forward” functions in web browsers. These buttons can improve
productivity, but can also be confusing for new users. |
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