Tech: Keyboard Or Mouse ?

Subject: RE: Tech: Keyboard Or Mouse ?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 05:20 PM

The mouse is bad for the human hand. If you can do a job without the mouse, it will be better for you in the long run, no matter what your age.

For somebody 91, whose hands are apt to be damaged by arthritis and perhaps shakey, it seems like a good idea of minimize use of the mouse. As John says, such decisions should be made by her.

Subject: RE: Tech: Keyboard Or Mouse ?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 09:42 PM

Be careful of the "Sticky Keys" thing. In recent Win versions at least, it's intentionally "augmented" to facilitate people with limited motion, fewer than usual fingers, or other such specialized personal attributes.

If, as leenia suggested, you check out Help [Start|Help] and look for "Accessibility" you'll find a whole blob of "very special features" that can be turned on/off. Sticky Keys is one of them, and there are - if I recall - a couple of different ways they can be turned on/off. There are also extra large text, magnifier views, and some little tricks for accomodating voice input programs and such. You can put a "keyboard" on screen that can be "moused" to type, completly (almost) eliminating the keyboard, if it's helpful.

There may be some things there that will be very helpful for Mum, but someone who knows Mum should look, and decide (in consultation with Mum, if possible) which ones will help and which ones will just get in the way.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Keyboard Or Mouse ?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 09:10 PM

"have I got this right? In order to be a 'computer whizz' I have to forget about using the mouse and memorise somewhere between "11 pages" and "more than [I] can possibly imagine" shortcuts, do I?"

Nope!

These often 'historical accidents' shortcuts have been passed on 'to be compatible' often from systems (Such as Mainframes) long predating Personal Computers. They CAN be useful, as they (such as the copy, cut and paste ones) tend to be consistent across ALL computers, all Operating systems and MOST programs. Some of these are 'Microsoft special' things that have spread 'for compatibility'. They CAN save some time over 'mouse actions' - but only if you getup to the speed that needs them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Keyboard Or Mouse ?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 10:14 AM

What operating system is she using, Leadfingers?

My OS is Windows XP Home. Say I want to open a file. All I have to is hit Alt, then f, the o. (Note: not Alt+F+o as in the bad old days.) My computer knows what I want and opens a file.

print - alt f p
new file   alt f n
close    alt f x
save   alt f s
save as alt f a

It is much easier on the hands than using a mouse.
=========
If her computer is older, you might have to go to Control Panel, Accessibility and turn on Sticky Keys before this system will work.

Have you looked at the other Accessibility features for her? For exmple, if her hands are shakey, there is a way to compensate for that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Keyboard Or Mouse ?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 08:29 AM

So ... have I got this right? In order to be a 'computer whizz' I have to forget about using the mouse and memorise somewhere between "11 pages" and "more than [I] can possibly imagine" shortcuts, do I?


...I think I'll stick to the mouse!

Subject: RE: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 03:52 PM

If you are using a recent version of Word, Click Help, View Word Help, type "keyboard" in the box, select the "keyboard shortcut" item that should come up. When you click Search, the default item that comes up should give you about 11 pages of shortcuts. (click the "Show All" button to avoid lots of clicking.

You can print the "help item" for reference.

Word is the primary program in Office, and settings/features there largely control what happens in ALL WINDOWS COMPATIBLE PROGRAM.

Older Word versions do have similar summaries in Help, but they are a little more difficult to find.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 02:36 PM

Thanks a lot chaps - Snail - Yes , it WAS The Villan's thread I was trying to find ! And Bill and Art , fast response as usual ! thanks all round ! MudCat Rules !! LOL

Subject: RE: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 02:01 PM

LF, there are more than you can possibly imagine. If your Mum is going to be using Microsoft Word (poor lady), open Word Help (F1) and type in "keyboard shortcuts".   I'm pretty sure the same is true of MS Works. If you are going to start her off simple with Notepad, I don't think that has any shortcuts, but I'd be glad to be wrong.

I don't know her level of computer-savvy, of course, but I'd start her with these Word shortcuts:

Control-C:    copy the selected stuff
Control-X:    cut out the selected stuff
Control-V:    insert the stuff copied or cut
End:          go to the end of the line
Home:         go to the beginning of the line
Control-End: go to the end of the document
Control-Home: go to the beginning of the document
Control-P:    print the document
Control-S:    save the document

Subject: RE: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: TheSnail
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 01:38 PM

This the one?

thread.cfm?threadid=102795&messages=32

Subject: RE: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 01:37 PM

(those are in addition to whatever are native to Windows)

Subject: RE: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 01:36 PM

I can't remember where that thread was either....but I can tell you that the Opera browser has more keyboard shortcuts than others.

My best wishes to your Mum...I hope she enjoys the experience.

Subject: Tech: Keybord Or Mouse ?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 01:32 PM

A While back 'Someone' posted a list of keyboard usage to avoid mouse usage for competent typists . Sadly I cant remember who , or the right keywords to locate the thread and would like the information for my old Mum , as she is having a go at 'puters at 91 !! Can any one point me to the thread ? or pass the info on to me please ?