what is a computer mouse essay

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Mice, windows, icons, and menus: these are the ingredients of computer interfaces designed to be easy to grasp, simplicity itself to use, and straightforward to describe. The mouse is a pointer. Windows divide up the screen. Icons symbolize application programs and data. Menus list choices of action.

But the development of today’s graphical user interface was anything but simple. It took some 30 years of effort by engineers and computer scientists in universities, government laboratories, and corporate research groups, piggybacking on each other’s work, trying new ideas, repeating each other’s mistakes.

This article was first published as “Of Mice and menus: designing the user-friendly interface.” It appeared in the September 1989 issue of IEEE Spectrum . A PDF version is available on IEEE Xplore. The photographs and diagrams appeared in the original print version.

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, many of the early concepts for windows, menus, icons, and mice were arduously researched at Xerox Corp.’s Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) , Palo Alto, Calif. In 1973, PARC developed the prototype Alto , the first of two computers that would prove seminal in this area. More than 1200 Altos were built and tested. From the Alto’s concepts, starting in 1975, Xerox’s System Development Department then developed the Star and introduced it in 1981—the first such user-friendly machine sold to the public.

In 1984, the low-cost Macintosh from Apple Computer Inc ., Cupertino, Calif., brought the friendly interface to thousands of personal computer users. During the next five years, the price of RAM chips fell enough to accommodate the huge memory demands of bit-mapped graphics, and the Mac was followed by dozens of similar interfaces for PCs and workstations of all kinds. By now, application programmers are becoming familiar with the idea of manipulating graphic objects.

The Mac’s success during the 1980s spurred Apple Computer to pursue legal action over ownership of many features of the graphical user interface. Suits now being litigated could assign those innovations not to the designers and their companies, but to those who first filed for legal protection on them.

The GUI started with Sketchpad

The grandfather of the graphical user interface was Sketchpad [see photograph]. Massachusetts Institute of Technology student Ivan E. Sutherland built it in 1962 as a Ph.D. thesis at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Mass. Sketchpad users could not only draw points, line segments, and circular arcs on a cathode ray tube (CRT) with a light pen—they could also assign constraints to, and relationships among, whatever they drew.

Arcs could have a specified diameter, lines could be horizontal or vertical, and figures could be built up from combinations of elements and shapes. Figures could be moved, copied, shrunk, expanded, and rotated, with their constraints (shown as onscreen icons) dynamically preserved. At a time when a CRT monitor was a novelty in itself, the idea that users could interactively create objects by drawing on a computer was revolutionary.

Sketchpad, created in 1962 by Ivan Sutherland at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, is considered the first computer with a windowing interface.

The Computer Museum

Moreover, to zoom in on objects, Sutherland wrote the first window-drawing program, which required him to come up with the first clipping algorithm. Clipping is a software routine that calculates which part of a graphic object is to be displayed and displays only that part on the screen. The program must calculate where a line is to be drawn, compare that position to the coordinates of the window in use, and prevent the display of any line segment whose coordinates fall outside the window.

Though films of Sketchpad in operation were widely shown in the computer research community, Sutherland says today that there was little immediate fallout from the project. Running on MIT’s TX-2 mainframe, it demanded too much computing power to be practical for individual use. Many other engineers, however, see Sketchpad’s design and algorithms as a primary influence on an entire generation of research into user interfaces.

The origin of the computer mouse

The light pens used to select areas of the screen by interactive computer systems of the 1950s and 1960s—including Sketchpad—had drawbacks. To do the pointing, the user’s arm had to be lifted up from the table, and after a while that got tiring. Picking up the pen required fumbling around on the table or, if it had a holder, taking the time after making a selection to put it back.

Sensing an object with a light pen was straightforward: the computer displayed spots of light on the screen and interrogated the pen as to whether it sensed a spot, so the program always knew just what was being displayed. Locating the position of the pen on the screen required more sophisticated techniques—like displaying a cross pattern of nine points on the screen, then moving the cross until it centered on the light pen.

In 1964, Douglas Engelbart , a research project leader at SRI International in Menlo Park, Calif., tested all the commercially available pointing devices, from the still-popular light pen to a joystick and a Graphicon (a curve-tracing device that used a pen mounted on the arm of a potentiometer). But he felt the selection failed to cover the full spectrum of possible pointing devices, and somehow he should fill in the blanks.

Then he remembered a 1940s college class he had taken that covered the use of a planimeter to calculate area. (A planimeter has two arms, with a wheel on each. The wheels can roll only along their axes; when one of them rolls, the other must slide.)

If a potentiometer were attached to each wheel to monitor its rotation, he thought, a planimeter could be used as a pointing device. Engelbart explained his roughly sketched idea to engineer William English, who with the help of the SRI machine shop built what they quickly dubbed “the mouse.”

This first mouse was big because it used single-turn potentiometers: one rotation of the wheels had to be scaled to move a cursor from one side of the screen to the other. But it was simple to interface with the computer: the processor just read frequent samples of the potentiometer positioning signals through analog-to-digital converters.

The cursor moved by the mouse was easy to locate, since readings from the potentiometer determined the position of the cursor on the screen-unlike the light pen. But programmers for later windowing systems found that the software necessary to determine which object the mouse had selected was more complex than that for the light pen: they had to compare the mouse’s position with that of all the objects displayed onscreen.

The computer mouse gets redesigned—and redesigned again

Engelbart’s group at SRI ran controlled experiments with mice and other pointing devices, and the mouse won hands down. People adapted to it quickly, it was easy to grab, and it stayed where they put it. Still, Engelbart wanted to tinker with it. After experimenting, his group had concluded that the proper ratio of cursor movement to mouse movement was about 2:1, but he wanted to try varying that ratio—decreasing it at slow speeds and raising it at fast speeds—to improve user control of fine movements and speed up larger movements. Some modern mouse-control software incorporates this idea, including that of the Macintosh.

The mouse, still experimental at this stage, did not change until 1971. Several members of Engelbart’s group had moved to the newly established PARC, where many other researchers had seen the SRI mouse and the test report. They decided there was no need to repeat the tests; any experimental systems they designed would use mice.

Said English, “This was my second chance to build a mouse; it was obvious that it should be a lot smaller, and that it should be digital.” Chuck Thacker, then a member of the research staff, advised PARC to hire inventor Jack Hawley to build it.

Hawley decided the mouse should use shaft encoders, which measure position by a series of pulses, instead of potentiometers (both were covered in Engelbart’s 1970 patent), to eliminate the expensive analog-to-digital converters. The basic principle, of one wheel rolling while the other slid, was licensed from SRI.

The ball mouse was the “easiest patent I ever got. It took me five minutes to think of, half an hour to describe to the attorney, and I was done.” —Ron Rider

In 1972, the mouse changed again. Ron Rider, now vice president of systems architecture at PARC but then a new arrival, said he was using the wheel mouse while an engineer made excuses for its asymmetric operation (one wheel dragging while one turned). “I suggested that they turn a trackball upside down, make it small, and use it as a mouse instead,” Rider told IEEE Spectrum . This device came to be known as the ball mouse. “Easiest patent I ever got,” Rider said. “It took me five minutes to think of, half an hour to describe to the attorney, and I was done.”

Defining terms

The pixel pattern that makes up the graphic display on a computer screen.

The motion of pressing a mouse button to Initiate an action by software; some actions require double-clicking.

Graphical user interface (GUI)

The combination of windowing displays, menus, icons, and a mouse that is increasingly used on personal computers and workstations.

An onscreen drawing that represents programs or data.

A list of command options currently available to the computer user; some stay onscreen, while pop-up or pull-down menus are requested by the user.

A device whose motion across a desktop or other surface causes an on-screen cursor to move commensurately; today’s mice move on a ball and have one, two, or three buttons.

Raster display

A cathode ray tube on which Images are displayed as patterns of dots, scanned onto the screen sequentially in a predetermined pattern of lines.

Vector display

A cathode ray tube whose gun scans lines, or vectors, onto the screen phosphor.

An area of a computer display, usually one of several, in which a particular program is executing.

In the PARC ball mouse design, the weight of the mouse is transferred to the ball by a swivel device and on one or two casters at the end of the mouse farthest from the wire “tail.” A prototype was built by Xerox’s Electronics Division in El Segundo, Calif., then redesigned by Hawley. The rolling ball turned two perpendicular shafts, with a drum on the end of each that was coated with alternating stripes of conductive and nonconductive material. As the drum turned, the stripes transmitted electrical impulses through metal wipers.

When Apple Computer decided in 1979 to design a mouse for its Lisa computer, the design mutated yet again. Instead of a metal ball held against the substrate by a swivel, Apple used a rubber ball whose traction depended on the friction of the rubber and the weight of the ball itself. Simple pads on the bottom of the case carried the weight, and optical scanners detected the motion of the internal wheels. The device had loose tolerances and few moving parts, so that it cost perhaps a quarter as much to build as previous ball mice.

How the computer mouse gained and lost buttons

The first, wooden, SRI mouse had only one button, to test the concept. The plastic batch of SRI mice bad three side-by-side buttons—all there was room for, Engelbart said. The first PARC mouse bad a column of three buttons-again, because that best fit the mechanical design. Today, the Apple mouse has one button, while the rest have two or three. The issue is no longer 1950—a standard 6-by-10-cm mouse could now have dozens of buttons—but human factors, and the experts have strong opinions.

Said English, now director of internationalization at Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, Calif.: “Two or three buttons, that’s the debate. Apple made a bad choice when they used only one.” He sees two buttons as the minimum because two functions are basic to selecting an object: pointing to its start, then extending the motion to the end of the object.

William Verplank, a human factors specialist in the group that tested the graphical interface at Xerox from 1978 into the early 1980s, concurred. He told Spectrum that with three buttons, Alto users forgot which button did what. The group’s tests showed that one button was also confusing, because it required actions such as double-clicking to select and then open a file.

“We have agonizing videos of naive users struggling” with these problems, Verplank said. They concluded that for most users, two buttons (as used on the Star) are optimal, if a button means the same thing in every application. English experimented with one-button mice at PARC before concluding they were a bad idea.

“Two or three buttons, that’s the debate. Apple made a bad choice when they used only one.” —William English

More than 1200 of the experimental Alto, developed in 1973 by the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, were distributed to test its windows, menus, and mouse.

Xerox Corp.

But many interface designers dislike multiple buttons, saying that double-clicking a single button to select an item is easier than remembering which button points and which extends. Larry Tesler , formerly a computer scientist at PARC, brought the one-button mouse to Apple, where he is now vice president of advanced technology. The company’s rationale is that to attract novices to its computers one button was as simple as it could get.

More than two million one-button Apple mice are now in use. The Xerox and Microsoft two-button mice are less common than either Apple’s ubiquitous one-button model or the three-button mice found on technical workstations. Dozens of companies manufacture mice today; most are slightly smaller than a pack of cigarettes, with minor variations in shape.

How windows first came to the computer screen

In 1962, Sketchpad could split its screen horizontally into two independent sections. One section could, for example, give a close-up view of the object in the other section. Researchers call Sketchpad the first example of tiled windows, which are laid out side by side. They differ from overlapping windows, which can be stacked on top of each other, or overlaid, obscuring all or part of the lower layers.

Windows were an obvious means of adding functionality to a small screen. In 1969, Engelbart equipped NLS (as the On-Line System he invented at SRI during the 1960s was known, to distinguish it from the Off-Line System known as FLS) with windows. They split the screen into multiple parts horizontally or vertically, and introduced cross-window editing with a mouse.

By 1972, led by researcher Alan Kay , the Smalltalk programming language group at Xerox PARC had implemented their version of windows. They were working with far different technology from Sutherland or Engelbart: by deciding that their images had to be displayed as dots on the screen, they led a move from vector to raster displays, to make it simple to map the assigned memory location of each of those spots. This was the bit map invented at PARC, and made viable during the 1980s by continual performance improvements in processor logic and memory speed.

Experimenting with bit-map manipulation, Smalltalk researcher Dan Ingalls developed the bit-block transfer procedure, known as BitBlt. The BitBlt software enabled application programs to mix and manipulate rectangular arrays of pixel values in on-screen or off-screen memory, or between the two, combining the pixel values and storing the result in the appropriate bit-map location.

BitBlt made it much easier to write programs to scroll a window (move an image through it), resize (enlarge or contract) it, and drag windows (move them from one location to another on screen). It led Kay to create overlapping windows. They were soon implemented by the Smalltalk group, but made clipping harder.

Some researchers question whether overlapping windows offer more benefits than tiled on the grounds that screens with overlapping windows become so messy the user gets lost.

In a tiling system, explained researcher Peter Deutsch, who worked with the Smalltalk group, the clipping borders are simply horizontal or vertical lines from one screen border to another, and software just tracks the location of those lines. But overlapping windows may appear anywhere on the screen, randomly obscuring bits and pieces of other windows, so that quite irregular regions must be clipped. Thus application software must constantly track which portions of their windows remain visible.

Some researchers still question whether overlapping windows offer more benefits than tiled, at least above a certain screen size, on the grounds that screens with overlapping windows become so messy the user gets lost. Others argue that overlapping windows more closely match users’ work patterns, since no one arranges the papers on their physical desktop in neat horizontal and vertical rows. Among software engineers, however, overlapping windows seem to have won for the user interface world.

So has the cut-and-paste editing model that Larry Tesler developed, first for the Gypsy text editor he wrote at PARC and later for Apple. Charles Irby—who worked on Xerox’s windows and is now vice president of development at Metaphor Computer Systems Inc., Mountain View, Calif.—noted, however, that cut-and-paste worked better for pure text-editing than for moving graphic objects from one application to another.

The origin of the computer menu bar

Menus—functions continuously listed onscreen that could be called into action with key combinations—were commonly used in defense computing by the 1960s. But it was only with the advent of BitBlt and windows that menus could be made to appear as needed and to disappear after use. Combined with a pointing device to indicate a user’s selection, they are now an integral part of the user-friendly interface: users no longer need to refer to manuals or memorize available options.

Instead, the choices can be called up at a moment’s notice whenever needed. And menu design has evolved. Some new systems use nested hierarchies of menus; others offer different menu versions—one with the most commonly used commands for novices, another with all available commands for the experienced user.

Among the first to test menus on demand was PARC researcher William Newman, in a program called Markup. Hard on his heels, the Smalltalk group built in pop-up menus that appeared on screen at the cursor site when the user pressed one of the mouse buttons.

Implementation was on the whole straightforward, recalled Deutsch. The one exception was determining whether the menu or the application should keep track of the information temporarily obscured by the menu. In the Smalltalk 76 version, the popup menu saved and restored the screen bits it overwrote. But in today’s multitasking systems, that would not work, because an application may change those bits without the menu’s knowledge. Such systems add another layer to the operating system: a display manager that tracks what is written where.

The production Xerox Star, in 1981, featured a further advance: a menu bar, essentially a row of words indicating available menus that could be popped up for each window. Human factors engineer Verplank recalled that the bar was at first located at the bottom of its window. But the Star team found users were more likely to associate a bar with the window below it, so it was moved to the top of its window.

Apple simplified things in its Lisa and Macintosh with a single bar placed at the top of the screen. This menu bar relates only to the window in use: the menus could be ‘‘pulled down” from the bar, to appear below it. Designer William D. Atkinson received a patent (assigned to Apple Computer) in August 1984 for this innovation.

One new addition that most user interface pioneers consider an advantage is the tear-off menu, which the user can move to a convenient spot on the screen and “pin” there, always visible for ready access.

Many windowing interfaces now offer command-key or keyboard alternatives for many commands as well. This return to the earliest of user interfaces—key combinations—neatly supplements menus, providing both ease of use for novices and for the less experienced, and speed for those who can type faster than they can point to a menu and click on a selection.

How the computer “icon” got its name

Sketchpad had on-screen graphic objects that represented constraints (for example, a rule that lines be the same length), and the Flex machine built in 1967 at the University of Utah by students Alan Kay and Ed Cheadle had squares that represented programs and data (like today’s computer “folders”). Early work on icons was also done by Bell Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada, stemming from efforts to replace the recently legislated bilingual signs with graphic symbols.

But the concept of the computer “icon” was not formalized until 1975. David Canfield Smith, a computer science graduate student at Stanford University in California, began work on his Ph.D. thesis in 1973. His advisor was PARC’s Kay, who suggested that he look at using the graphics power of the experimental Alto not just to display text, but rather to help people program.

David Canfield Smith took the term icon from the Russian Orthodox church, where an icon is more than an image, because it embodies properties of what it represents.

Smith took the term icon from the Russian Orthodox church, where an icon is more than an image, because it embodies properties of what it represents: a Russian icon of a saint is holy and is to be venerated. Smith’s computer icons contained all the properties of the programs and data represented, and therefore could be linked or acted on as if they were the real thing.

After receiving his Ph.D. in 1975, Smith joined Xerox in 1976 to work on Star development. The first thing he did, he said, was to recast his concept of icons in office terms. “I looked around my office and saw papers, folders, file cabinets, a telephone, and bookshelves, and it was an easy translation to icons,” he said.

Xerox researchers developed, tested, and revised icons for the Star interface for three years before the first version was complete. At first they attempted to make the icons look like a detailed photographic rendering of the object, recalled Irby, who worked on testing and refining the Xerox windows. Trading off label space, legibility, and the number of icons that fit on the screen, they decided to constrain icons to a 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) square of 64 by 64 pixels, or 512 eight-bit bytes.

Then, Verplank recalls, they discovered that because of a background pattern based on two-pixel dots, the right-hand side of the icons appeared jagged. So they increased the width of the icons to 65 pixels, despite an outcry from programmers who liked the neat 16-bit breakdown. But the increase stuck, Verplank said, because they had already decided to store 72 bits per side to allow for white space around each icon.

After settling on a size for the icons, the Star developers tested four sets developed by two graphic designers and two software engineers. They discovered that, for example, resizing may cause problems. They shrunk the icon for a person—a head and shoulders—in order to use several of them to represent a group, only to hear one test subject say the screen resolution made the reduced icon look like a cross above a tombstone. Computer graphics artist Norm Cox, now of Cox & Hall, Dallas, Texas, was finally hired to redesign the icons.

Icon designers today still wrestle with the need to make icons adaptable to the many different system configurations offered by computer makers. Artist Karen Elliott, who has designed icons for Microsoft , Apple, Hewlett-Packard Co., and others, noted that on different systems an icon may be displayed in different colors, several resolutions, and a variety of gray shades, and it may also be inverted (light and dark areas reversed).

In the past few years, another concern has been added to icon designers’ tasks: internationalization. Icons designed in the United States often lack space for translations into languages other than English. Elliott therefore tries to leave space for both the longer words and the vertical orientation of some languages.

More than two million of the Apple Macintosh (top), which brought the graphical user interface to personal computers, have been sold. Much of its application software is inconsistent, however: at least three different icons (bottom) can represent address files. The icons are found in Desktop Express from Dow Jones & Co., HyperCard from Apple Computer Inc., and MS Word from Microsoft Corp.

Apple Computer Inc.

The main rule is to make icons simple, clean, and easily recognizable. Discarded objects are placed in a trash can on the Macintosh. On the NeXT Computer System, from NeXT Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.—the company formed by Apple cofounder Steven Jobs after he left Apple—they are dumped into a Black Hole. Elliott sees NeXT’s black hole as one of the best icons ever designed: ”It is distinct; its roundness stands out from the other, square icons, and this is important on a crowded display. It fits my image of information being sucked away, and it makes it clear that dumping something is serious.

English disagrees vehemently. The black hole “is fundamentally wrong,” he said. “You can dig paper out of a wastebasket, but you can’t dig it out of a black hole.” Another critic called the black hole familiar only to “computer nerds who read mostly science fiction and comics,” not to general users.

With the introduction of the Xerox Star in June 1981, the graphical user interface, as it is known today, arrived on the market. Though not a commercial triumph, the Star generated great interest among computer users, as the Alto before it had within the universe of computer designers.

Even before the Star was introduced, Jobs, then still at Apple, had visited Xerox PARC in November 1979 and asked the Smalltalk researchers dozens of questions about the Alto’s internal design. He later recruited Larry Tesler from Xerox to design the user interface of the Apple Lisa.

With the Lisa and then the Macintosh, introduced in January 1983 and January 1984 respectively, the graphical user interface reached the low-cost, high-volume computer market.

At almost $10,000, buyers deemed the Lisa too expensive for the office market. But aided by prizewinning advertising and its lower price, the Macintosh took the world by storm. Early Macs had only 128K bytes of RAM, which made them slow to respond because it was too little memory for heavy graphic manipulation. Also, the time needed for programmers to learn its Toolbox of graphics routines delayed application packages until well into 1985. But the Mac’s ease of use was indisputable, and it generated interest that spilled over into the MS-DOS world of IBM PCs and clones, as well as Unix-based workstations.

Who owns the graphical user interface?

The widespread acceptance of such interfaces, however, has led to bitter lawsuits to establish exactly who owns what. So far, none of several litigious companies has definitively established that it owns the software that implements windows, icons, or early versions of menus. But the suits continue.

Virtually all the companies that make and sell either wheel or ball mice paid license fees to SRI or to Xerox for their patents. Engelbart recalled that SRI patent attorneys inspected all the early work on the interface, but understood only hardware. After looking at developments like the implementation of windows, they told him that none of it was patentable.

At Xerox, the Star development team proposed 12 patents having to do with the user interface. The company’s patent committee rejected all but two on hardware—one on BitBlt, the other on the Star architecture. At the time, Charles Irby said, it was a good decision. Patenting required full disclosure, and no precedents then existed for winning software patent suits.

Microsoft Corp.

Today more than a dozen separate graphical user interfaces run on a variety of personal computers and workstations. The Presentation Manager component of Operating System/2, jointly developed by Microsoft Corp. and IBM Corp., is intended to run on several million IBM and compatible personal computers; this display shows that too many onscreen windows can impede clarity.

The most recent and most publicized suit was filed in March 1988, by Apple, against both Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard Co., Palo Alto, Calif. Apple alleges that HP’s New Wave interface, requiring version 2.03 of Microsoft’s Windows program, embodies the copyrighted “audio visual computer display” of the Macintosh without permission; that the displays of Windows 2.03 are illegal copies of the Mac’s audiovisual works; and that Windows 2.03 also exceeds the rights granted in a November 198S agreement in which Microsoft acknowledged that the displays in Windows 1.0 were derivatives of those in Apple’s Lisa and Mac.

In March 1989, U.S. District Judge William W. Schwarzer ruled Microsoft had exceeded the bounds of its license in creating Windows 2.03. Then in July 1989 Schwarzer ruled that all but 11 of the 260 items that Apple cited in its suit were, in fact, acceptable under the 1985 agreement. The larger issue—whether Apple’s copyrights are valid, and whether Microsoft and HP infringed on them—will not now be examined until 1990.

Among those 11 are overlapping windows and movable icons. According to Pamela Samuelson, a noted software intellectual property expert and visiting professor at Emory University Law School, Atlanta, Ga., many experts would regard both as functional features of an interface that cannot be copyrighted, rather than “expressions” of an idea protectable by copyright.

But lawyers for Apple—and for other companies that have filed lawsuits to protect the “look and feel’’ of their screen displays—maintain that if such protection is not granted, companies will lose the economic incentive to market technological innovations. How is Apple to protect its investment in developing the Lisa and Macintosh, they argue, if it cannot license its innovations to companies that want to take advantage of them?

If the Apple-Microsoft case does go to trial on the copyright issues, Samuelson said, the court may have to consider whether Apple can assert copyright protection for overlapping windows-an interface feature on which patents have also been granted. In April 1989, for example, Quarterdeck Office Systems Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., received a patent for a multiple windowing system in its Desq system software, introduced in 1984.

Adding fuel to the legal fire, Xerox said in May 1989 it would ask for license fees from companies that use the graphical user interface. But it is unclear whether Xerox has an adequate claim to either copyright or patent protection for the early graphical interface work done at PARC. Xerox did obtain design patents on later icons, noted human factors engineer Verplank. Meanwhile, both Metaphor and Sun Microsystems have negotiated licenses with Xerox for their own interfaces.

To Probe Further

The September 1989 IEEE Computer contains an article, “The Xerox ‘Star’: A Retrospective,” by Jeff Johnson et al., covering development of the Star. “Designing the Star User Interface,’’ [PDF] by David C. Smith et al., appeared in the April 1982 issue of Byte .

The Sept. 12, 1989, PC Magazine contains six articles on graphical user interfaces for personal computers and workstations. The July 1989 Byte includes ‘‘A Guide to [Graphical User Interfaces),” by Frank Hayes and Nick Baran, which describes 12 current interfaces for workstations and personal computers. “The Interface of Tomorrow, Today,’’ by Howard Reingold, in the July 10, 1989, InfoWorld does the same. “The interface that launched a thousand imitations,” by Richard Rawles, in the March 21, 1989, MacWeek covers the Macintosh interface.

The human factors of user interface design are discussed in The Psychology of Everyday Things , by Donald A. Norman (Basic Books Inc., New York, 1988). The January 1989 IEEE Software contains several articles on methods, techniques, and tools for designing and implementing graphical interfaces. The Way Things Work , by David Macaulay (Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1988), contains a detailed drawing of a ball mouse.

The October 1985 IEEE Spectrum covered Xerox PARC’s history in “Research at Xerox PARC: a founder’s assessment,” by George Pake (pp. 54-61) and “Inside the PARC: the ‘information architects,’“ by Tekla Perry and Paul Wallich (pp. 62-75).

William Atkinson received patent no. 4,464,652 for the pulldown menu system on Aug. 8, 1984, and assigned it to Apple. Gary Pope received patent no. 4,823,108 , for an improved system for displaying images in “windows” on a computer screen, on April 18, 1989, and assigned it to Quarterdeck Office Systems.

The wheel mouse patent, no. 3,541,541 , “X-Y position indicator for a display system,” was issued to Douglas Engelbart on Nov. 17, 1970, and assigned to SRI International. The ball mouse patent, no. 3,835,464 , was issued to Ronald Rider on Sept. 10, 1974, and assigned to Xerox.

The first selection device tests to include a mouse are covered in “Display-Selection Techniques for Text Manipulation,” by William English, Douglas Engelbart, and Melvyn Berman, in IEEE Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics , March 1967.

Sketchpad: A Man-Machine Graphical Communication System , by Ivan E. Sutherland (Garland Publishing Inc., New York City and London, 1980), reprints his 1963 Ph.D. thesis.

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Tekla S. Perry is a senior editor at IEEE Spectrum . Based in Palo Alto, Calif., she's been covering the people, companies, and technology that make Silicon Valley a special place for more than 40 years. An IEEE member, she holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

John Voelcker is the former editor of Green Car Reports. As well as regularly contributing to IEEE Spectrum he has covered auto technologies and energy policy for numerous outlets, including Wired and Popular Science .

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Computer mice

by Chris Woodford . Last updated: March 1, 2022.

O nce upon a time, if you'd seen a mouse in your room you might have screamed and jumped up on the desk. Today, the mouse has jumped on your desk instead: it's the handy little pointer that makes your computer easy to use. The first mouse was made of wood and designed over four decades ago in 1961. Today, mice sell by the million and hardly a computer ships without one. They've changed quite a bit in that time but they still work in much the same way. Let's take a look inside!

What is a computer mouse?

A mouse is something you push along your desktop to make a cursor (pointing device) move on your screen. So what a mouse has to do is figure out how much you're moving your hand and in which direction. There are two main kinds of mice and they do this job in two different ways, either using a rolling rubber ball (in a ball-type mouse) or by bouncing a light off your desk (in an optical mouse).

Inside a ball-style computer mouse

Traditional mice have a rubber ball inside them. Open one up and you can see the heavy ball clearly and the spring that keeps it in position. Here's the inside of an old-style Logitech ball mouse:

How a ball computer mouse works

How do the wheels measure distance, how do they figure out direction.

There are various problems with mice like this. They don't work on all surfaces. Ideally, you need a special mouse mat but, even if you have one, the rubber ball and its rollers gradually pick up dirt, so the x- and y-axis wheels turn erratically and make the pointer stutter across your screen. One solution is to keep taking your mouse to pieces and cleaning it; another option is to get yourself an optical mouse.

How an optical mouse works

An optical mouse works in a completely different way. It shines a bright light down onto your desk from an LED (light-emitting diode) mounted on the bottom of the mouse. The light bounces straight back up off the desk into a photocell (photoelectric cell), also mounted under the mouse, a short distance from the LED. The photocell has a lens in front of it that magnifies the reflected light, so the mouse can respond more precisely to your hand movements. As you push the mouse around your desk, the pattern of reflected light changes, and the chip inside the mouse uses this to figure out how you're moving your hand.

Inside an optical computer mouse

How does a wireless mouse work, what if you can't use a mouse, who invented the computer mouse.

For most of their history , computers were the province of scientists and mathematicians. You needed a math degree just to understand the manual and you could only tell them what to do by feeding in a stack of index cards punched with holes. All that started to change when a brilliant US computer scientist named Douglas Engelbart (1925–2013) invented the computer mouse. Engelbart realized computers were far too useful just for boffins: he could see they had the power to change people's lives. But he could also see that they needed to be much easier to use. So, during the 1960s, he pioneered most of the easy-to-use computer technologies that we now take for granted, including on-screen word processing, hypertext (the way of linking documents together used in web pages like these), windows (so you can have more than one document or program in view at a time), and video conferencing.

But he's still best known for inventing the mouse, or the "X-Y Position Indicator" as it was originally known. That stuffy name was dropped when someone spotted that the cable hanging out looked just like a mouse's tail. From then on, Engelbart's invention was known simply as the "mouse".

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Find out more, on this website.

• Computer keyboards
• Touchscreens
• Voice recognition software

On other sites

For more about the history of computer mice, take a look at

• Douglas C. Engelbart : A biography from Marc Weber posted shortly after Douglas Engelbart's death in 2013.
• History in Pix : A history of Douglas Engelbart's invention, from his personal website.
• MouseSite : An archive of Douglas Engelbart's late 1950s and 1960s research at Stanford Research Institute, including his original demonstrations of the computer mouse. [Archived via the Wayback Machine.]
• Bootstrapping: Douglas Engelbart, the Augmentation of Human Intellect and the Genesis of Personal Computing by Thierry Bardini. Stanford University Press, 2000. How Douglas Engelbart's invention of the mouse ushered in the modern-age of friendly personal computers.
• Human Computer Interaction by Alan Dix et al. Pearson Education, 2008. Comprehensive introduction to the design of the man-machine interface.
• Computer Visionary Who Invented the Mouse by John Markoff. The New York Times. July 3, 2013. An obituary for Doug Engelbart and an assessment of his life's work. Doug Engelbart Obituary by Jack Schofield, The Guardian, July 4, 2013, is an alternative take.
• Encounters with HCI Pioneers by Ben Shneiderman. Interviews with towering figures from the 20th century (including Doug Engelbart) who made computers intuitively easy to use.
• The Evolution of the Computer Mouse by Rob Beschizza, Wired, March 19, 2007. This article explores how mice have developed, from the original wooden Engelbart model through to more modern versions made by Apple and Logitech.
• The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men: The Computer Mouse in the History of Computing by Paul Atkinson, Design Issues, Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer 2007, pp.46–61. How mice developed, from ancient wooden Engelbart models to the modern plastic ones we use today.

Practical tips

• US Patent 3,541,541: X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System : Douglas Engelbart's original mouse patent, filed June 21, 1967 and granted November 17, 1970.
• US Patent 4,464,652: Cursor control device for use with display systems by William F. Lapson and William D. Atkinson, Apple Computer, Inc. Granted August 7, 1984. This early Apple mouse patent describes the detailed design of a classic ball mouse, like the one above.
• US Patent 4,886,941: Circuit for interfacing mouse input device to computer system by Hedley Davis and Robert Raible, Commodore Business Machines, Inc. Granted December 12, 1989. This one goes into some detail about how analog mouse movements are translated into digitally detectable pulses.

Text copyright © Chris Woodford 2007, 2020. All rights reserved. Full copyright notice and terms of use .

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Technology in Business — Importance of Computer Mouse

Importance of Computer Mouse

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

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Table of contents

History of the computer mouse, introduction, enhanced productivity, precision and control, accessibility and ergonomics, customization and flexibility.

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What Is a Computer Mouse?

A computer mouse is an input device to control on-screen objects

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In This Article

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• Physical Description
• More Information
• Frequently Asked Questions

The mouse, sometimes called a pointer , is a hand-operated input device used to manipulate objects on a computer screen.

Whether it uses a laser or ball, or the mouse is wired or wireless , a movement detected from the mouse sends instructions to the computer to move the cursor on the screen to interact with files , windows, and other software elements.

Even though the mouse is a peripheral device that sits outside the main computer housing , it's an essential piece of computer hardware in most systems, at least non-touch ones.

Mouse Physical Description

Computer mice come in many shapes and sizes, but are all designed to fit either the left or right hand, and be used on a flat surface.

The standard mouse has two buttons toward the front (to left-click and right-click ) and a scroll wheel in the center (to quickly move the screen up and down). However, a computer mouse can have anywhere from one to several more buttons to provide a wide variety of other functions (like the 12-button  Razer Naga Chroma MMO gaming mouse ).

While older mice use a small ball on the bottom to control the cursor, newer ones use a laser. Some computer mice instead have a large ball on the top so that instead of moving the mouse across a surface to interact with the computer, the user keeps the mouse stationary and instead moves the ball with a finger. The Logitech M570 is one example of this type of mouse.

There are also mice made for special uses, such as travel mice, which are smaller than a typical mouse and often have a retractable cord. Another type is the ergonomic mouse that has a very different shape than a standard mouse to help prevent hand strain.

As you can see, mice come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors:

No matter what the type, all mice communicate with the computer either wirelessly or via a physical, wired connection.

If wireless, the mouse uses either RF communication or Bluetooth . An RF-based wireless mouse will require a receiver that will physically connect to the computer. A Bluetooth wireless mouse connects via the computer's Bluetooth hardware. See How to Install a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse for a short look at how setup works.

If wired, mice connect to the computer via USB using a Type-A connector . Older mice connect via PS/2 ports. Either way, it's usually a direct connection to the motherboard .

Drivers for a Computer Mouse

Like any piece of hardware, a computer mouse works with a computer only if the proper device driver is installed. A basic mouse will work right out of the box because the operating system likely already has the driver ready for installation, but special software is needed for a more advanced mouse that has more functions.

The advanced mouse might work just fine as a regular mouse, but it's likely that the extra buttons won't function until the right driver is installed.

The best way to install a missing mouse driver is through the manufacturer's website. Logitech and Microsoft are the most popular manufacturers of mice, but you'll see them from other hardware makers as well. See How to Update Drivers in Windows for instructions on manually installing these types of drivers in Windows.

However, one of the easiest ways to install drivers is to use a free driver updater tool . If you go this route, just be sure the mouse is plugged in when you start the driver scan.

Some drivers can be downloaded through Windows Update , so that's another option if you still can't seem to find the right one.

Basic options for controlling the mouse can be configured in Windows through Control Panel . Search for the Mouse Control Panel applet , or use the control mouse  Run command , to open a set of options that let you swap the mouse buttons, change the mouse cursor , change the double-click speed, display pointer trails, hide the pointer when typing, adjust the pointer speed , and more.

More Information on the Computer Mouse

A mouse is supported only on devices that have a graphical user interface. This is why you must use your keyboard when working with text-only tools, like many programs that run from a disc before the operating system starts— these bootable antivirus programs are one example.

While laptops, touch-screen phones/tablets, and other similar devices don't require a mouse, they all use the same concept to communicate with the device. That is, a stylus, trackpad, or your own finger is used in place of the traditional computer mouse.

However, most of those devices support using a mouse as an optional attachment if you'd prefer to use one anyway. When you do that, you sometimes have the option to turn off the built-in mouse so you can use the external one only—e.g., you can disable the touchpad in Windows 11 .

Some computer mice power down after a certain period of inactivity to save on battery life, while others that require a lot of power are wired-only to favor performance over the convenience of being wireless.

The mouse was originally referred to as an "X-Y position indicator for a display system" and was nicknamed a "mouse" because of the tail-like cord that came out the end of it. It was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1964.

Prior to the invention of the mouse, computer users had to enter text-based commands to do even the simplest of tasks, like moving through directories and opening files/folders.

DPI is like a mouse's sensitivity. At higher DPIs, the mouse is more sensitive and will move your cursor further on your screen than lower DPI mice over the same physical distance. You can change your mouse sensitivity in a few quick steps.

CPI and DPI are used interchangeably in the mice world, though they have slightly different technical definitions. CPI and DPI will refer to the same value when buying or using a mouse.

A mouse's polling rate is the number of times per second a mouse reports its position to your computer.

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How to use a computer mouse

A computer mouse is a handheld pointing device and input device used with all desktop computers that moves the mouse pointer on the screen. To help with portability, mobile devices, like a laptop, use a touchpad instead of a mouse. Mobile devices, like a smartphone and tablet , use a touch screen for their pointer input. This page is designed to help new computer users become more familiar and efficient with a desktop computer mouse.

• Connecting a mouse to a computer.
• Familiarize yourself with the mouse.
• Holding the mouse.
• Moving the mouse pointer.
• Understanding the mouse cursor (pointer).
• Clicking with the mouse.
• Opening a file or program.
• Selecting an object and highlighting text.
• Drag-and-drop.
• Viewing properties or right-clicking.
• Copy and paste using the mouse.
• Using the mouse wheel.
• Other mouse buttons.
• Other types of mice.

Connecting a mouse to a computer

Before using the mouse, it must be connected correctly to the computer and working. If you have a new computer and need help connecting the mouse, or the mouse is not working, see our steps on connecting and installing a mouse.

• How to connect and install a computer mouse.

Familiarize yourself with the mouse

Today's computer mouse consists of two buttons and a mouse wheel, as shown in the picture below. By default, the left button acts as the left-click and is the default mouse button you use for most actions on the mouse. The right mouse button performs the right-click and gives you a menu or other options explained later.

If you are left-handed, the mouse buttons can be switched. For help switching the mouse button, see: How to change the left and right mouse buttons.

As far as the mouse wheel, it is used to scroll up and down and is also explained in further detail later on this page.

A mouse generates movement using one of two technologies: optical or mechanical. Today, the optical mouse is commonly used, which utilizes either LED (light-emitting diode) or laser to detect movement. The other and older technology is the mechanical mouse , which uses a ball and wheels to determine the movement of the mouse.

Holding the mouse

To hold the mouse, keep your thumb on the side of the mouse, index finger on the left button, and middle finger on the right button. While holding the mouse, relax your hand and make sure your hand is straight with your arm. You should never have your wrist at an angle while using the mouse.

To move the mouse, use your ring finger and pinky to push and move left and your thumb to move right. All up and down movement is done by gently gripping the mouse and pushing or pulling the mouse.

Moving the mouse pointer

Using your right or left hand, pick up the mouse and move it to the center of the mouse pad . Once in position, drag the mouse up, down, left, or right to move the mouse pointer on the screen. If you reach the edge of your mouse pad, pick up the mouse and move it to the opposite side of the mouse pad. Then, continue dragging the mouse in the direction you want the mouse pointer to move.

One way the computer knows the mouse pointer position is with an x-axis and y-axis value. As you move your mouse right, the x-axis value increases, and moving left decreases the x-axis value. Moving down increases the y-axis, and moving up decreases the y-axis. Move your mouse and watch the values in the interactive example below.

Mouse x-axis position. Mouse y-axis position.

Your mouse pad should be big enough not to require you to pick up the mouse. If you have to pick up the mouse frequently, you may want to increase the speed of your mouse.

• How to change the mouse speed in Windows.

If you or someone you know needs another way of practicing with the mouse, play a few games of Solitaire or FreeCell . These games are easy to play and can teach how to move, click, and drag something using the mouse.

Understanding the mouse cursor (pointer)

As you move your mouse, the cursor (pointer) can change as it hovers over different objects. For example, in the animated illustration, the mouse cursor is an arrow . When it hovers over text, the mouse pointer changes to an I-beam cursor . Similarly, when the pointer hovers over a hyperlink in a browser , the mouse pointer changes to a hand icon.

Any program or web page can change how a mouse pointer appears.

Practice hovering with the mouse pointer

In this example text, you can practice hovering your mouse over the text to get each of the different mouse pointers. If your mouse pointer is not over any of the text, your cursor should be an arrow. Moving your pointer over any of this text changes it to an I-beam cursor that lets you select text (explained later). Finally, if you move your mouse cursor over this link , it changes to a hand with the index finger pointing to the link cursor. If you click the link, it skips to the next section about using your mouse to click.

Clicking with the mouse

While you spend most of the time moving a mouse pointer, another important feature of the mouse is clicking the mouse buttons. As mentioned earlier, most clicking is done with the left mouse button. To left-click, you press down on the left mouse button and then let go as if you were pushing a button on a telephone.

Practice left-clicking check boxes

Below are several check boxes you can use to practice left-clicking. Check each of the boxes below.

Check box 1. Check box 2. Check box 3. Check box 4. Check box 5.

Practice left-clicking text

Practice moving the text cursor by clicking anywhere in this box. When you single left click, an I-beam pointer should begin to flash where you clicked to indicate where you would start to type.

Opening a file or program

To open a file or program on a Windows computer, double-click the left mouse button on the icon of the file or program you want to open. To double-click, press your left mouse button twice quickly. For new computer users, double-clicking can be difficult because it requires two quick clicks. If you click too slowly or move your mouse while clicking, it may not work.

If you are having trouble double-clicking your mouse button, you can slow down the mouse clicking speed. For help with slowing down the clicking speed, see: How to increase or decrease the mouse double-click speed.

Double-click practice

Double-click this text.

Double-clicking text practice

Practice double-clicking this text using the steps above. If done successfully, double-clicking selects a word. If you triple-click, the full paragraph is highlighted.

Although double-clicking an icon opens that file or application, some programs, operating systems, menus, and other features may only require a single click.

Selecting an object and highlighting text

When your mouse pointer is on top of an object (e.g., an icon), click the left mouse button once to highlight that object. To select multiple files, as is being done in the animated picture, you can drag a marquee around all objects you want to highlight.

To select text, click the left button at the end of the text you want to select. While pressing the left mouse button, drag the mouse to the left and up to select multiple lines of text.

Practice highlighting text

Below is a text field to practice highlighting text using the keyboard.

Practice highlighting this text using the above steps. Click the mouse cursor at the start of the text, hold down shift, and use your arrow keys.

• How to highlight or select text.
• How to select or highlight multiple files and folders.

Drag-and-drop

The phrase drag-and-drop describes selecting an object or text, moving it ( dragging ), and then placing it ( dropping) in another area. For example, to drag-and-drop an object, such as an icon , you would first move your mouse cursor over it. Then, press and hold down the left mouse button, move the object to the desired location, and release the button to set it down.

• Full information and examples of drag-and-drop.

Viewing properties or right-clicking

To see the properties of anything on the computer, move your mouse cursor over the text, icon, folder, or file and press the right mouse button ( right-click ). If the right-click menu does not give you the options you need, select "Properties" from the drop-down menu . If you view the properties of text, you get a menu with options such as cut , copy , and paste .

Copy and paste using the mouse

After learning to right-click using the mouse, you'll find many new options, such as the ability to cut, copy, and paste.

Practice copying and pasting using the mouse

Use the two text fields below to copy the text from the first text box into the second box. Highlight the text using your mouse, as explained in a previous section, and right-click anywhere on the highlighted text. In the context menu , select Copy . When the menu disappears, right-click in the second box where you want to put the text. When the menu appears, select Paste .

• How to copy and paste text to a document or another program.

Using the mouse wheel

The mouse wheel lets you scroll up and down on any page without using the vertical scroll bar . If your mouse has a wheel, you may have already used it to scroll down as you read this page. If you are unfamiliar with this wheel, use it now to scroll up and down on this page.

On most computer mice, the mouse wheel is also a button. You can press it to take an optional action, depending on your program. For example, if you click this Computer Hope link with the mouse wheel, it opens in a new tab .

Other mouse buttons

Many different mice are available for the computer today, with many different button options. Another popular configuration for a mouse today is to have two thumb buttons on the left side of the mouse. These two buttons allow you to move back and forward on a browser or be programmed to perform any other action on your computer.

Other types of mice

Finally, realize that many sizes and types of mice can be used with a computer. If you have difficulty using your mouse or want to try something, visit a local computer store or online store to see available options. The picture shows a trackball mouse that is easier for some users to use.

• Where to buy computer hardware parts.

Types of computer mice

• Cordless (Wireless)
• IntelliMouse (Wheel mouse)
• Touchpad (Glidepoint)

Related information

• Top 10 computer mouse tips everyone should know.
• Do I need a mouse pad?
• How to use a computer keyboard.
• See the mouse definition for further information and related links.
• Mouse and touchpad help and support.

Historic Firsts:   The Mouse 0

Doug Engelbart invented the computer mouse in the early 1960s in his research lab at Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International). The first prototype – a one-button mouse in a wooden shell on wheels – was built in 1964 to test the concept. 1a

The first mouse now on exhibit at the Smithsonian! Click here for details .

Based on results of his landmark study on ' Augmenting the Human Intellect ,' Engelbart had received modest funding to evaluate the speed and efficiency of various devices for pointing on a display screen, like the joy stick, including a few his team rigged up and threw into the mix, like the one they called a "mouse." Which pointing device scored the highest? How was it built and tested? What inspired all this anyway? Read on! And don't miss Check it Out below for original footage, photos, timelines, documents, fun facts, and more. 1b

A patent application for the mouse was filed in 1967, and US Patent 3,541,541 was awarded in 1970 under the descriptive title "X-Y position indicator for a display system." 1c

Although many impressive innovations for interacting with computers have followed in the last 50 years since its invention, the mouse remains to this day the most efficient hands on pointing device available for speed and accuracy. 11dc

The First Mouse 2

Since 1951 Doug had envisioned intellectual workers sitting at high-performance interactive display workstations, accessing a vast online information space in which to collaborate on important problems. When pondering the question of pointing devices in 1961, he was in the midst of an in-depth study of how teams and organizations might become much more effective in solving important problems. In 1962 he published his findings in " Augmenting Human Intellect: A Conceptual Framework ," which in 1963 garnered him some modest funding from ARPA to begin to hire a very small research team, and set up a basic lab with computer resources, teletypes, and finally, a display workstation.

By now there were several off-the-shelf solutions for moving a cursor and selecting something on a display screen, but no good data about which would be most efficient to meet Engelbart's "high-performance" requirement. He applied for and was awarded a small grant from NASA to explore that question.

Check It Out 3

Witness the World's Debut - watch Doug introduce the mouse , and watch the mouse in action , footage selected from Doug's newly re-mastered 1968 'Mother of All Demos' - and now using your own mouse or alternative, you can 'test drive' the demo interactively , or watch just the Demo Highlights 3a

Watch Doug tell the story in his Designing Interactions interview with IDEO's Bill Mogridge [ book ], in his 2002 Oral History interview with NY Times' John Markoff for the Computer History Museum, and in his historic talk " The Augmented Knowledge Workshop " presented at the 1986 Conference on the History of the Personal Workstation. 3b

On Exhibit: visit virtual and actual museum exhibits showcasing his innovations at the Smithsonian Museum, the Computer History Museum, and more. Visit On Exhibit and Special Collections by Institution for details. 3c

Watch Doug telling the story of how he invented the mouse in Logitech 's 2004 interview. 3d

Watch "The Computer Mouse" video short on how the mouse changed lives and enabled the personal computing industry to take off and thrive. 3d

Explore the Stanford University MouseSite where you will find images of the first mouse , the US Patent on the Mouse , historic photos from the lab, and much more. 3e

See SRI's Timeline on Innovation: Computer Mouse and Interactive Computing , MIT Press Designing Interactions: Doug Engelbart , Macworld's mouse history timeline , PC Advisor's 40th anniversary timeline , and our History in Pix photo gallery. 3f

Check out the online Exhibit on the Mouse and Keyset at the Computer History Museum , as well as press coverage of their 2001 event " Early Computer Mouse Encounters ". 3g

Logitech celebrates "ONE BILLION MICE SOLD!" making headlines in 2008. See Logitech's press release , blog post with links to press, and their billionth mouse celebration page with links to press kits filled with fun facts and timelines. The event coincided with our 40th anniversary celebration of Doug's landmark demo, titled "Engelbart and the Dawn of Interactive Computing". Enjoy the following timeline from Logitech's press kit marking their 2008 celebrations. 3h

The Mouse Wins 4

In 1965 Engelbart's team published the final report of their study evaluating the efficiency of the various screen-selection techniques. They had pitted the mouse against a handful of other devices, some off the shelf, some of their own making (see Mouse Alternatives below). The mouse won hands down, and was thus included as standard equipment in their research moving forward (see Screen-Selection Experiments below for links to key reports and papers detailing these experiments ). In 1967, SRI filed for the patent on the mouse , under the more formal name of "x,y position indicator for a display system," and the patent was awarded in 1970. 4a

Enter, the Keyset 3b

Enter, the Keyset: To further increase efficiency, Engelbart's team thought to offer a companion to the mouse – a device for the left hand to enter commands or text while the right hand was busy pointing and clicking (shown above). After trying out several variations, they settled on a telegraph-style " keyset " with five piano-like keys. This keyset also became standard equipment in the lab (pictured below). Both devices were introduced to the public in Engelbart's 1968 demonstration, now known as the " Mother of All Demos " (see Check It Out below for links to selected video footage of the debut, historic photos, and more). 4b

In Doug's Words: 4c

The mouse we built for the [1968] show was an early prototype that had three buttons. We turned it around so the tail came out the top. We started with it going the other direction, but the cord got tangled when you moved your arm. I first started making notes for the mouse in '61. At the time, the popular device for pointing on the screen was a light pen, which had come out of the radar program during the war. It was the standard way to navigate, but I didn't think it was quite right. Two or three years later, we tested all the pointing gadgets available to see which was the best. Aside from the light pen there was the tracking ball and a slider on a pivot. I also wanted to try this mouse idea, so Bill English went off and built it. We set up our experiments and the mouse won in every category, even though it had never been used before. It was faster, and with it people made fewer mistakes. Five or six of us were involved in these tests, but no one can remember who started calling it a mouse. I'm surprised the name stuck. We also did a lot of experiments to see how many buttons the mouse should have. We tried as many as five. We settled on three. That's all we could fit. Now the three-button mouse has become standard, except for the Mac. Doug Engelbart in The Click Heard Round The World , by Ken Jordan, WIRED 2004

Mouse Alternatives 5

Engelbart and his team tested a half dozen pointing devices for speed and accuracy. These included the mouse, and a knee apparatus (pictured below, right), both created in-house, along with several off the shelf devices such as DEC's Grafacon (pictured below, center, modified for testing purposes), a joy stick, and a light pen. See Screen-Selection Experiments below for links to more details and photos. They also experimented with a foot pedal device as well as a head mounted device, neither of which made it into the final tests. 5a

A small piece of a large vision 6

In the 1950s, Doug Engelbart set his sights on a lofty goal -- to develop dramatically better ways to support intellectual workers around the globe in the daunting task of finding solutions to larger and larger problems with greater speed and effectiveness than ever before imagined. His goal was to revolutionize the way we work together on such tasks. He saw computers, at the time used primarily for number crunching, as a new medium for advancing the state of the art in collaborative knowledge work. Building on technology available at the time, his research agenda required that his team push the envelope on all fronts: they had to expand the boundaries of display technology and interactive computing and human-computer interface , help launch network computing , and invent hypermedia , groupware , knowledge management , digital libraries, computer supported software engineering , client-server architecture, the mouse, etc. on the technical front, as well as pushing the frontiers in process reengineering and continuous improvement, including inventing entirely new organizational concepts and methodologies on the human front. Engelbart even invented his own innovation strategy for accelerating the rate and scale of innovation in his lab which, by the way, proved very effective. His seminal work garnered many awards , and sparked a revolution that blossomed into the Information Age and the Internet. But as yet we have only scratched the surface of the true potential Engelbart envisioned for dramatically boosting our collective IQ in the service of humankind's greatest challenges. Check out his Call to Action and the Engelbart Academy to learn about his prescient message for the future. 6a

Genesis of the mouse: 7

Doug's Early Vision: From the introduction of his Augmenting human intellect: A conceptual framework (1962): 7a

Let us consider an augmented architect at work. He sits at a working station that has a visual display screen some three feet on a side; this is his working surface, and is controlled by a computer (his "clerk") with which he can communicate by means of a small keyboard and various other devices. 7a1 He is designing a building. He has already dreamed up several basic layouts and structural forms, and is trying them out on the screen. The surveying data for the layout he is working on now have already been entered, and he has just coaxed the clerk to show him a perspective view of the steep hillside building site with the roadway above, symbolic representations of the various trees that are to remain on the lot, and the service tie points for the different utilities. The view occupies the left two-thirds of the screen. With a pointer he indicates two points of interest, moves his left hand rapidly over the keyboard, and the distance and elevation between the points indicated appear on the right-hand third of the screen. 7a2 Doug Engelbart, 1962 [ Source ]

From As We May Think by Vannevar Bush, 1945 (quoted by Engelbart in Augmenting Human Intellect ): 7b

"Consider a future device for individual use, which is a sort of mechanized private file and library. It needs a name, and to coin one at random, "memex" will do. A memex is a device in which an individual stores all his books, records, and communications, and which is mechanized so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility. It is an enlarged intimate supplement to his memory. 7b1 "It consists of a desk, and while it can presumably be operated from a distance, it is primarily the piece of furniture at which he works. On the top are slanting translucent screens, on which material can be projected for convenient reading. There is a keyboard, and sets of buttons and levers. Otherwise it looks like an ordinary desk. 7b2 Vannevar Bush, 1945 [ Source ]

Read more... and see how Engelbart was influenced by Vannevar Bush. 7b3

Debunking the Xerox PARC Mouse Myth 8

In the early 1970s, the mouse migrated from Doug's lab at SRI to Xerox PARC (along with some of his team), and later to Apple when Steve Jobs visited Xerox PARC, and beyond. One of the most common myths about the mouse is the mistaken belief that it was invented at Xerox PARC. Note that the first mouse was built in 1964, the patent for the mouse was filed in 1967 , and demonstrated to an audience of over a thousand in 1968, by which time production models were in operational use throughout Doug's lab. Xerox PARC did not exist until 1970. 8a

"Your article on Xerox noted that its research center Xerox PARC was responsible for the computer mouse. Douglas C. Engelbart and his team at SRI International (which was then known as Stanford Research Institute) invented the mouse and created the foundations for personal computing. The patent for the mouse was filed in 1967, three years before Xerox PARC was established in 1981 ." 8a1

Explore the Web 9a

• Visit Historic Firsts - for more of Doug Engelbart's many groundbreaking firsts; related to the Mouse, see especially Interactive Computing and The Keyset . 9a1
• MouseSite - the definitive website on the Mouse hosted by Stanford University, especially their Photos of the First Mouse page. They also curate video of the 1968 demo and other significant archives from Doug Engelbart's work. 9a2
• See the SRI Timeline on Innovation: Personal Computing + the Mouse , the SRI press release Engelbart and the Dawn of Interactive Computing (excellent overview), as well as our event resources page for Engelbart and the Dawn of Interactive Computing 9a3
• Visit the online exhibit on The Mouse at the Computer History Museum or visit their museum in Mt. View, CA; check out their Early Computer Mouse Encounters event at the Computer History Museum, Oct 17, 2001 9a4
• See the Mouse Timeline in The computer mouse turns 40 - a great article by Benj Edwards, Macworld, Dec 9, 2008 on the history of the Mouse. 9a5
• Visit Logitech's Billionth Mouse site - see the genesis of the mouse. 9a6
• Planimeter: Planimeters are often used by surveyors, foresters, geologists, geographers, engineers, and architects to measure areas on maps of any kind and scale, as well as plans, blueprints, or any scale drawing or plan. (source: Ben Meadows ). See How Planimeters Are Used for some great visuals (thanks to Dr. Robert Foote at Wabash College), and this photo of geographers using planimeter for the 1940 census (thanks to the National Archives). See also Wikipedia's more complete Planimeter article with links to other resources. 9a7

From Doug's Lab 9b

• Screen-Selection Experiments: Display-Selection Techniques for Text Manipulation , William K. English, Douglas C. Engelbart and Melvyn L. Berman, March 1967. This paper describes an experimental study into the relative merits of different CRT display-selection devices as used within a real-time, computer-display, text-manipulation system in use at Stanford Research Institute. The mouse was tested against other devices and found to be the most accurate and efficient. See also the 1965 Report and the 1966 Quarterly Report detailing their screen-selection experiments. 9b1
• Augmenting Human Intellect: A Conceptual Framework , Douglas C. Engelbart. 1962. See for example how he envisioned an architect might work interactively with a computer in 1962 in the Introduction's summary of Section IV (quoted at right). 9b2
• Doug Engelbart - A Lifetime Pursuit , a short biographical sketch by Christina Engelbart describes the larger context of this early work. 9b3

Transfer and Postings

Essay On Mouse: The Evolution Of The Computer Mouse

Essay On Mouse: The computer mouse is a vital component of computing technology that has revolutionized the way we interact with computers. It was first invented in the 1960s, and since then, it has become an indispensable tool for navigating user interfaces and interacting with computer software. This Essay On Mouse will explore the history and origin of the computer mouse, its anatomy, types, usage, common problems, and solutions, as well as the future of mouse technology.

Table of Contents

Essay On Mouse

In this blog Essay On Mouse, we include About Essay On Mouse, in 100, 200, 250, and 300 words. Also cover Essay On Mouse for classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and up to the 12th class and also for kids, children, and students. You can read more  Essay Writing in 10 lines about sports, events, occasions, festivals, etc… Essay On Mouse is also available in different languages. In this Essay On Mouse, the following features are explained in the given manner.

History And Origin Of The Computer Mouse

The first computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart, a computer scientist, in 1963. The mouse was made out of wood and had two metal wheels that could roll in any direction. Engelbart demonstrated the use of the mouse in a historic 1968 presentation that showcased several revolutionary computing technologies. The mouse quickly gained popularity and was adopted by Xerox PARC in the 1970s, where it was further developed and refined.

Anatomy Of A Mouse

The physical components of a computer mouse include the body, buttons, scroll wheel, and optical sensor. The body is the outer shell of the mouse and contains the buttons and scroll wheel. The buttons are used for left-clicking, right-clicking, and middle-clicking, while the scroll wheel is used for scrolling up and down on web pages or documents. The optical sensor is located at the bottom of the mouse and detects the mouse’s movement.

Types Of Mouse

There are different types of computer mice, including wired vs. wireless mice, optical vs. mechanical mice, and gaming mice vs. regular mice. Wired mice connect to the computer through a USB or PS/2 port, while wireless mice use Bluetooth or a USB receiver to communicate with the computer. Optical mice use an LED or infrared sensor to detect movement, while mechanical mice use a rubber ball and mechanical sensors. Gaming mice have advanced features such as customizable buttons, adjustable DPI, and RGB lighting.

Mouse Usage And Benefits

The mouse is used to navigate user interfaces, select text, drag and drop files, and perform other functions. Basic mouse functions include left-clicking, right-clicking, and scrolling. Advanced mouse features include gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and customizable buttons. Using the mouse efficiently can enhance productivity and reduce strain on the hands and wrists.

Common Mouse Problems And Solutions

Common problems with computer mice include erratic movement, unresponsive buttons, and connectivity issues. These problems can be caused by outdated drivers, interference from other devices, or hardware issues. Troubleshooting tips include updating drivers, moving the mouse receiver closer to the computer, and cleaning the mouse’s optical sensor.

Future Of Mouse Technology

The future of mouse technology is likely to include more advanced features such as touch sensors, haptic feedback, and advanced gesture recognition. There are also emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces that could potentially replace the mouse altogether. However, the mouse is likely to remain a key component of computing technology for the foreseeable future.

The computer mouse has come a long way since its invention in the 1960s. It has become an indispensable tool for navigating user interfaces and interacting with computer software. Understanding the anatomy, types, and usage of the mouse can enhance productivity and reduce strain on the hands and wrists. Common mouse problems can be solved through troubleshooting tips, and the future of mouse technology is likely to include more advanced features. As computing technology continues to evolve, the mouse is likely to remain a vital component of human-computer interaction.

Read More: 10 Lines On Monitor

FAQ’s On Mouse Essay

Question 1. What is mouse short notes?

Answer: The computer mouse is an input device used to control the cursor on the screen. It typically has left, right, and middle buttons and a scroll wheel. The mouse can be connected to a computer via a wired or wireless connection. It is an essential tool for navigating user interfaces and interacting with computer software.

Question 2. What is called mouse?

Answer: The mouse is an input device used to control the cursor on a computer screen. It allows users to click, drag, and scroll through various software applications. It can be connected to a computer via a wired or wireless connection. The mouse is a vital tool for navigating user interfaces and interacting with computer software.

Question 3. What is mouse functions?

Answer: The primary functions of a computer mouse include left-clicking, right-clicking, and scrolling. It can also perform other functions such as selecting text, dragging and dropping files, and zooming in and out. Advanced mouse features include gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and customizable buttons. Using the mouse efficiently can enhance productivity and reduce strain on the hands and wrists.

Question 4. Who made the first mouse?

Answer: The first computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart. Engelbart was a computer scientist who developed the mouse in 1963. The first mouse was made of wood and had two metal wheels that could roll in any direction. The mouse quickly gained popularity and became a standard component of modern computing technology.

Question 5. What is the first name of mouse?

Answer: The first computer mouse was originally called an “X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System”. It was invented by Douglas Engelbart and Bill English at the Stanford Research Institute. The first prototype of the mouse was made out of wood and had two metal wheels. The name “mouse” was later coined due to its resemblance to a small rodent.

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10 Lines Essay On Computer Mouse In English For Students

• A computer mouse is an input device.
• It is connected to a computer and helps navigate a computer. 
• It is used to point at icons, options, etc., and select them on the monitor screen based on the needs of the user while using a computer.
• Douglas Engelbart invented the first computer mouse in the 1960s. 
• A computer mouse consists of a small object with two buttons: the right button and the left button.
• These buttons are used to click and select items on a screen.
• A computer mouse also has a scroll wheel to scroll the page on the monitor. 
• The two main types of mouse are optical mouse and mechanical mouse. 
• The optical mouse uses an electronic eye to detect the movement of the mouse, while the mechanical mouse has a track ball to detect the movement.
• A computer mouse has inspired the invention of laptop touchpads, touch screens, head pointers, and joysticks.

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• Essay on Computer

Long and Short Computer Essay

The term computer was once used to refer to a person who did computation, unlike today. The development of early prototypes that led to the modern computer is credited to many individuals throughout history. A series of breakthroughs, beginning with transistor computers and then integrated circuit computers, resulted in the development of transistor technology and the integrated circuit chip, causing digital computers to largely replace analogue computers. 

In this essay, we will discuss the various components and types of computers and talk about their uses in various fields.

Long Computer Essay in English

A computer is an electronic tool that manipulates data or information. It can store, retrieve, and process information. We can type documents, send emails, play games, and browse the Web using a computer. It can also be used to edit spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos, or create them. 

Early computers were conceived only as devices for calculating. Simple manual devices such as the abacus have helped individuals do calculations since ancient times. Some mechanical devices were built early in the Industrial Revolution to automate long, tedious tasks, such as guiding patterns for looms. In the early 20th century, more sophisticated electrical machines performed specialized analogue calculations. 

Common Components of Computers

All those parts of a computer that are tangible physical objects are covered under the term hardware. The hardware includes circuits, computer chips, graphics cards, sound cards, memory (RAM), motherboards, displays, power supplies, cables, keyboards, printers and "mice" input devices.

 There are five main hardware components: 

Input Devices: 

These are devices that are used to enter data/information in the central processing unit. Example- keyboard, mouse, scanner, document reader, barcode reader, optical character reader, magnetic reader etc.

Output Devices: 

These are devices that provide the processed data/information into human-readable form. Example- monitor, printer, speaker, projector etc.

Control Unit: 

The control unit handles the various components of the computer; it reads and interprets (decodes) the instructions for the program, transforming them into control signals that activate other computer parts.

Arithmetic Logic Unit: 

It is capable of performing arithmetical and logical functions. The set of arithmetic operations supported by a specific ALU may be restricted to addition and subtraction or may include functions of multiplication, division, trigonometries such as sine, cosine, etc., and square roots.

Central Processing Unit: 

The ALU, control unit and registers and together called the CPU. It is sometimes called the computer's brain, and its job is to perform commands. We send instructions to the CPU whenever we press a key, click the mouse, or start an application.

Software refers to computer parts, such as programs, data, protocols, etc., that do not have a material form. In contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built, the software is that portion of a computer system consisting of encoded information or computer instructions.

It is sometimes called "firmware" when the software is stored in hardware that can not be easily modified, such as with a BIOS ROM on an IBM PC compatible computer.

Computer hardware and software require each other, and neither of them can be realistically used on their own. There are four main components of a general-purpose computer: the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), the control unit, the memory, and the I/O (collectively called input and output) devices.

Uses of Computer

Computers are used in various fields, such as homes, businesses, government offices, research organizations, educational institutions, medicine, entertainment, etc. because of their features and powerful functions. They have taken sectors and companies to a whole new level.

Science- 

Computers are best suited for the collection, analysis, categorization, and storage of data in science, research and engineering. They also help scientists to exchange data both internally and internationally with each other.

Government-  

Computers in the government sector are used to perform various functions and improve their services. In most cases, data processing tasks, the maintenance of citizens' databases, and the promotion of a paperless environment are the primary purposes of using computers. In addition to this, computers play a key role in the country's defence system.

Health and Medicine- 

They are used to preserve information, records, live patient monitoring, X-rays, and more from patients. Computers assist in setting up laboratory tools, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, etc. Besides, computers allow physicians to easily exchange patient data with other medical specialists.

Education- 

They help people get different educational materials (such as images, videos, e-books, etc.) in one place. Also, computers are best suited for online classes, online tutoring, online exams, and task and project creation. Also, they can be used to maintain and track student performance and other data.

Banking- 

Most countries use online banking systems so that customers can access their data directly. People can verify the balance of their account, transfer cash, and pay online bills, including credit cards. Besides, banks use computers to execute transactions and store client information, transaction records, etc.

Short Computer Essay in English

A computer's a programmable device that accepts raw data(input) and processes it as output with a group of instructions (a program) to supply the result. It renders output after performing mathematical and logical operations and can save the output for future use. The word "computer" derives from the word "computare" in Latin, which means calculating.

Types of Computer

Computers are of different types based on different criteria. Based on their size, computers are of five types:

Micro Computers- 

It is a single-user computer that has less capacity for speed and storage than the other types. For a CPU, it uses a microprocessor. Laptops, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, and smartphones are common examples of microcomputers. Microcomputers are generally designed and built for general use, such as browsing, information search, the internet, MS Office, social media, etc.

Mini Computers- 

Minicomputers are also referred to as "Midrange Computers." They are multi-user computers designed to simultaneously support multiple users. Therefore, they are generally used by small companies and firms. 

Mainframe Computers- 

It is also a multi-user computer that large companies and government organizations use to run their business operations as large amounts of data can be stored and processed. Banks, universities, and insurance companies, for example, use mainframe computers to store data from their customers, students, and policyholders.

Super Computer- 

Among all types of computers, supercomputers are the fastest and most costly computers. They have an enormous capacity for storage and computing speeds and can therefore perform millions of instructions per second.

Workstations-  

It is a single-user computer with a comparatively more powerful microprocessor and a high-quality monitor compared to a mini-computer.

Benefits of Computers:

It increases productivity.

It helps in connecting to the internet.

It helps in organizing data and information.

It allows storing large amounts of data.

Fun Facts About Computers

The first electric computer that was invented weighed around 27 tons or even more than that and took up to 1800 square feet.

There are about 5000 new viruses that are released every month.

The original name of Windows was Interface Manager.

It is surely known that the life of humans would not have been so easy if computers were not a part of human life. This is also supported by a lot of pieces of evidence where we can even see in daily life how the computer is not just present in an organization but is also available right in the pockets of everyone. Thus, the computer has surely made it easy while also spoiling a lot of people's lives. 

FAQs on Essay on Computer

1. What are the disadvantages of computers?

While the computer has surely made life easier, it also has a lot of disadvantages. The disadvantages of the computers can be provided as follows:

People spend too much time sitting and doing nothing but watching the content on computers.

People staring at computers for a long time also tend to strain their eyes, and as a result, they need spectacles to understand what is being written in front of them.

Attention span is decreasing with an increase in the use of computers. 

With computers being AI-powered, it is now easier for people to do all the tasks on a computer and not work on it themselves. This has made a lot of people lazy.

2. What is the process of working on a computer?

A computer is an electronic machine and it needs information to be added in as raw data to function well. It has a flow that determines the accessing of data. The following steps take place before the results are obtained:

Information is taken in by the computer in the form of raw data. This process is also called the input.

Then the information that is not needed will be stored while the information that is needed is passed onto the next step. The storing of data is called memory.

Then the information that is required is crushed or it is split and this process is called processing.

The last step is where the results are obtained. This process is called getting the output.

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Computer Essay In English

Our lives have been made easier by the invention of computers. They play a vital role in our lives. The device receives data as input, processes it, and outputs the results. It’s because of computers that we can now do things that were once impossible, and we can do them much faster and more efficiently. Here are some sample essays on the topic ‘Computer’.

100 Words Essay On Computer

200 words essay on computer, 500 words essay on computer.

It’s evident that computers have made our lives much easier in a variety of ways. We rely on them for communication, information, efficiency, and entertainment, and it's hard to imagine life without them. Computers have revolutionised the way we live and work. They are an essential part of our lives, and they have made our lives much easier. Computers have made our lives easier in a number of ways. They allow us to communicate with people all over the world quickly and easily, and they give us access to a vast amount of information. We can use computers to work, study, shop, bank, and entertain ourselves.

Computers have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we work and play. They've made our lives easier in so many ways, and it's hard to imagine living without them.

How Computers Made Our Lives Easier

One of the most obvious ways computers have made our lives easier is in the way we communicate. Email, instant messaging, and video conferencing are all revolutionised by computers. We can instantly communicate with anyone in the world, regardless of location or time zone. Computers have also made it easier to access information. In the past, if you wanted to know something, you had to go to the library and hope they had a book on your topic. Nowadays, you can just do a quick Google search and find out whatever you need to know.

In addition, computers have made our lives more efficient. Tasks that used to take hours can now be done in minutes or even seconds with the help of a computer. For example, you can book a flight or hotel room online in just a few clicks. Or if you need to do some research for a project, you can quickly find relevant articles and data with a few keystrokes.

The contemporary computer has become an indispensable component of our daily lives. Their popularity has skyrocketed during the previous decade. Nowadays, computers are used in every office, whether it is private or public. People have been using computers for a very long time. They are utilised in numerous industries, including agriculture, design, manufacturing of machinery, and defence. Computers have brought about a global revolution.

The CPU, display, mouse, and keyboard make up the core components of a basic computer. Hundreds of additional computer components can be connected to it as well. Supercomputers, mainframes, desktop personal computers, PDAs, laptops, and many other forms of computers are all classed under this general category. Because it meets all the requirements for a computer, the mobile phone is also a form of computer.

Uses of Computer in Various Fields

As computer usage grew, using computers in practically every industry became a requirement for business operations. Additionally, they have simplified working and organising. Here are a few of the significant industries that depend on computers for day-to-day operations—

Education Sector

Many students and children are benefiting from the computer's assistance in the educational field. In the modern era, they are a reliable source of educational content. Through the intranet or internet, we can access a wide range of instructional materials in one location. Computers are now frequently used for online learning, teaching, and assessment. Computers make it simple for students to prepare assignments or projects. Computers can be used by teachers to keep track of student data and assess student performance.

Research And Development Sector

Data collection, storage, analysis, classification, and extraction are among scientists' most important needs in the fields of science, research, and engineering. Computers facilitate internal and international scientific communication and data sharing among scientists working in various locations. Working on a project with numerous scientists from different countries is usually beneficial. They use cloud storage for data exchange. The use of supercomputers in research and development is widespread. To plot and analyse data to gain a better understanding of earthquakes and other natural hazards, scientists frequently employ computers. Additionally, computers are essential for the development, upkeep, launch, and control of spacecraft as well as the operation of many other technologies.

Government Sector

The usage of computers is widespread in government-related fields. The government is responsible for many different departments and tasks, and practically all of them are outfitted with computers to carry out various tasks and boost production and efficiency. The key functions of computers include data processing, maintaining citizen information, budgeting for security measures, and many other duties. Computers are also frequently used in areas such as city planning, infrastructure, design, traffic management, and law enforcement.

Medical Sector

Computers are frequently used to keep track of patients, create bills, schedule doctor appointments, etc. Computers have digitised almost everything. Currently, a lot of online medical pharmacies offer home delivery of prescription medications to its customers. The way diseases are identified and treated in the field of medicine has been revolutionised by computers. They work together with medical equipment to continuously track a patient's blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and many other parameters Additionally, a lot of procedures today are carried out remotely using computers and robotic surgical tools.

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Computer Mouse

Updated 24 November 2023

Subject Experience

Downloads 38

Category Business ,  Information Science and Technology ,  Life

Topic Computer ,  Knowledge

Substitute: in some instances, changing the shape, size and weight of the mouse can make it more comfortable and straightforward to use. For example, ergonomic mice or trackballs can be used instead. Ergonomic mice are considerably smaller than the regular mouse and can be easily applied to connect to a computer. Trackballs on the other side are advantageous to use since one does not need right finger and wrist movement to use it.

Combine: There are other considerations which can be undertaken to make a computer mouse to work better than how it usually does. Improving its visibility assists a person to see a pointer when one cannot easily see it. Also, another tip on to improve the working of the mouse is enhanced by tracing the pointer better by improving the visibility options. 

Adapt: Adapt a mouse that is easily attainable from different outlets in case the one that a person uses spoils. The AbilityNet, for instance, gives the details of some of the choices for other pointing devices from other outlets. Adapting the changes also enhances a person to adjust to the modification in technology and any required in the contemporary society to increase a better working environment.

Modify: people usually come up with different modifications of mouse and they also go as far as substituting an Altoids box for the mouse case. Some of the changes are quite remarkable, and they enhance a better working environment especially for the changing technology in the contemporary world. Before taking any difference, the best thing to do is to make the mouse apart.  

Put them to other use: this could involve using the mouse to enhance computer gestures rather than a tool which can be used to move the pointer. Gestures are accomplished using the mouse wheel or the two buttons that are always on any mouse device.

Eliminate: one can eliminate all the lengthy procedures of utilizing the mouse. Some years back before the technology advanced, a person could use a mouse, and within no time it could go “dead”. In such scenario, it is important to eliminate it and replace with another advanced one.

 Reverse: there is a program identified as SakasaMouse that reverses the mouse movements. It is a freeware to overturn the direction of the mouse and cursor movements, especially in the x and y-axis. It moves from the left to the right increasing its proficiency. 

The preferred idea from the above approaches is that of putting into other use. This redesign will result in entering an entirely new market segment thus increasing the product’s competitive advantage.

Works Cited

Poon, Jelena CY, et al. "The feasibility of enhancement of knowledge and self-confidence in creativity: A pilot study of a three-hour SCAMPER workshop on secondary students." Thinking Skills and Creativity 14 (2014): 32-40.

Serrat, Olivier. "The SCAMPER technique." Knowledge Solutions. Springer, Singapore, 2017. 311-314.

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Essay on Computer and its Uses for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on computer.

In this essay on computer, we are going to discuss some useful things about computers. The modern-day computer has become an important part of our daily life. Also, their usage has increased much fold during the last decade. Nowadays, they use the computer in every office whether private or government. Mankind is using computers for over many decades now. Also, they are used in many fields like agriculture, designing, machinery making, defense and many more. Above all, they have revolutionized the whole world.

History of Computers

It is very difficult to find the exact origin of computers. But according to some experts computer exists at the time of world war-II. Also, at that time they were used for keeping data. But, it was for only government use and not for public use. Above all, in the beginning, the computer was a very large and heavy machine.

Working of a Computer 

The computer runs on a three-step cycle namely input, process, and output. Also, the computer follows this cycle in every process it was asked to do. In simple words, the process can be explained in this way. The data which we feed into the computer is input, the work CPU do is process and the result which the computer give is output.

Components and Types of Computer

The simple computer basically consists of CPU, monitor, mouse, and keyboard . Also, there are hundreds of other computer parts that can be attached to it. These other parts include a printer, laser pen, scanner , etc.

The computer is categorized into many different types like supercomputers, mainframes, personal computers (desktop), PDAs, laptop, etc. The mobile phone is also a type of computer because it fulfills all the criteria of being a computer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Uses of Computer in Various Fields

As the usage of computer increased it became a necessity for almost every field to use computers for their operations. Also, they have made working and sorting things easier. Below we are mentioning some of the important fields that use a computer in their daily operation.

Medical Field

They use computers to diagnose diseases, run tests and for finding the cure for deadly diseases . Also, they are able to find a cure for many diseases because of computers.

Whether it’s scientific research, space research or any social research computers help in all of them. Also, due to them, we are able to keep a check on the environment , space, and society. Space research helped us to explore the galaxies. While scientific research has helped us to locate resources and various other useful resources from the earth.

For any country, his defence is most important for the safety and security of its people. Also, computer in this field helps the country’s security agencies to detect a threat which can be harmful in the future. Above all the defense industry use them to keep surveillance on our enemy.

Threats from a Computer

Computers have become a necessity also, they have become a threat too. This is due to hackers who steal your private data and leak them on internet. Also, anyone can access this data. Apart from that, there are other threats like viruses, spams, bug and many other problems.

The computer is a very important machine that has become a useful part of our life. Also, the computers have twin-faces on one side it’s a boon and on the other side, it’s a bane. Its uses completely depend upon you. Apart from that, a day in the future will come when human civilization won’t be able to survive without computers as we depend on them too much. Till now it is a great discovery of mankind that has helped in saving thousands and millions of lives.

Frequently Asked Questions on Computer

Q.1  What is a computer?

A.1 A computer is an electronic device or machine that makes our work easier. Also, they help us in many ways.

Q.2 Mention various fields where computers are used?

A.2  Computers are majorly used in defense, medicine, and for research purposes.

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Essay on Mouse

Students are often asked to write an essay on Mouse in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Mouse

Introduction.

A mouse is a small mammal, commonly known as a rodent. They are found worldwide in various habitats, including homes and fields.

Physical Features

Mice are tiny animals with a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and a long tail. They’re usually grey or brown.

Mice are primarily nocturnal and are known for their quick, darting movements. They are excellent climbers, swimmers, and jumpers.

Mice are omnivores, eating both plants and meat. They particularly like cereal grains, fruits, and seeds.

Mice play a vital role in ecosystems as a food source for many animals and in scientific research.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Mouse

250 Words Essay on Mouse

The mouse, a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents, is an intriguing organism that has garnered significant attention in the scientific community. Its importance extends beyond its role in the ecosystem, serving as a vital model organism in biological research.

Biological Significance

Mice are characterized by their small size, pointed snouts, and long, thin tails. They are found globally, adapting to diverse environments from forests to urban areas. Their diet primarily comprises seeds, fruits, and insects, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal and pest control.

Scientific Utility

Mice are invaluable to scientific research, particularly in genetics and medical studies. Their genetic, biological, and behavioral similarities to humans make them excellent models for human diseases. The ease of manipulating their genome has facilitated breakthroughs in understanding genetic diseases and potential therapies.

Symbolic Interpretations

In literature and culture, mice often symbolize timidity or meekness, yet their resourcefulness and adaptability also represent resilience and survival. They challenge our perceptions, reminding us that strength can come in small packages.

From an ecological standpoint, the humble mouse plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of nature. In the realm of science, it forms the backbone of many groundbreaking research studies. Symbolically, it offers profound insights into resilience and adaptability. Despite its small size, the mouse’s impact is colossal, making it a fascinating creature worthy of study and respect.

500 Words Essay on Mouse

The mouse, a small mammal belonging to the order of Rodentia, has long been a subject of fascination and study in various fields, from biology and psychology to literature and folklore. Its ubiquitous presence across different habitats and its profound impact on human society make it an intriguing topic of exploration.

Biological Perspective

Mice, belonging to the Mus genus, are characterized by their small size, pointed snouts, and long, thin tails. They are incredibly adaptable creatures, capable of surviving in diverse environments, from rural farmlands to urban cityscapes. Mice are omnivores, consuming a wide variety of foods, including seeds, fruits, and insects. They have a rapid breeding cycle, which is one reason for their widespread distribution and high population.

Role in Scientific Research

Mice have played a pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge, particularly in the field of genetics and medical research. Their genetic, biological, and behavioral characteristics closely mirror those of humans, making them ideal models for studying human diseases. Mouse models have contributed significantly to our understanding of various genetic diseases, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. They have also played a crucial role in the development and testing of new drugs and therapeutic strategies.

Mice in Culture and Folklore

Mice hold a prominent place in various cultures and folklore around the world. In Western literature, they often symbolize timidity, meekness, and insignificance due to their small size and perceived vulnerability. However, they are also admired for their resourcefulness and adaptability. Mice are central characters in numerous literary works, from Aesop’s Fables to modern classics like E.B. White’s “Stuart Little” and Brian Jacques’ “Redwall” series.

Human-Mouse Interactions and the Environment

While mice have contributed significantly to scientific research and cultural narratives, their interactions with humans are not entirely positive. In many parts of the world, mice are considered pests due to their tendency to invade homes and agricultural fields, causing significant property damage and crop loss. Their rapid breeding and adaptability make them difficult to control, posing challenges for pest management strategies.

However, the presence of mice can also serve as an important indicator of environmental health. Changes in mouse populations can reflect alterations in food supply, predation, and habitat conditions, offering valuable insights into ecosystem dynamics.

In conclusion, the humble mouse, often overlooked due to its small size and commonality, holds a significant place in our world. From contributing to our understanding of human diseases to symbolizing various human traits in literature, the mouse is far more than a simple rodent. Its complex interactions with humans and the environment highlight the intricate balance of our shared ecosystems, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all life forms.

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