Mouse is an important supporting device of a computer, which performs as an input unit to feed data. The usage of mouse is essential to control the mouse pointer. Users need mouse not only to feed inputs but also to navigate between menus, to draw images, to choose a function, to open or close a file etc. If you work in MS-DOS platform, you may not require the mouse. Some of the mouse operations have been explained in this article.

• Clicking
The very first function of a mouse is clicking. It can be done by just pressing the left button of the mouse only once. This function is needed for selecting a particular menu or item.

• Double clicking
This double clicking is as same as clicking. The difference is users have to press the left mouse button twice quickly. The clicks should be fast and consecutive. If you leave more gaps between the two clicks, this double clicking will not work properly. This operation is needed for opening or activating a function.

• Right clicking
When right button of the mouse is clicked, it is called as 'right clicking'. This right clicking function will be demanded while you work in Windows. Right click may be needed to open pop-up menus. You can use these right clicks for cutting, copying, pasting etc.

Mouse Connectivity and its types

Connectivity means nothing but giving connection from the mouse to the computer. There are 3 different connectors used for connecting the mouse namely:

• Serial Connector
This is one of the oldest methods of connecting the mouse and it has been outdated. It is very rare to see a mouse with this type of serial connector now.

• PS/2 Connector
This type of connector uses a tiny plug which is rounded in shape.

• USB Connector
It is the latest connector type in which small rectangular ports are used. Normally a mouse has 2 ports. This type of 'Universal Serial Bus' connectivity offers high speed data transfer. The unique advantage of this connector is hot swappable. It is nothing but the users can unplug or plug USB units though the PC is running. There is no need to shutdown to plug or unplug it.

Mouse is one of the most important input devices used by all PC users. Mouse is provided with a button on its top front portion which is used by the user to click the options on the computer screen to perform an action. Mouse pointers are shaped like an arrow pointing towards the top of the display device. As the user moves the mouse, the pointer moves as a reference point.

The mouse needs a pad to place it over for smooth movement and it allows an optical mechanical mouse more traction. The mouse pad is commonly rectangular with flat cloth or plastic objects. The mouse sensitivity is the speed at which its pointer moves on the screen. If the sensitivity is more then it needs less effort and moves faster to get across the screen. But low mouse sensitivity needs more effort and moves slower. Mouse driver that is commonly included with the operating system enables the computer to communicate with a mouse.

A rare piece of mouse available in the market is the Foot mouse that enables the user to control the mouse with their feet. Cordless mouse operates a device without a wire that possibly will cause knotted movement. As it has no wire it requires type of device to broadcast a signal. Cordless computer hardware devices frequently make use of infrared or Bluetooth connectivity options. Cordless networks known as Wi-Fi, utilize one of the IEEE 802.11 wireless standards to achieve wireless connectivity. This mouse requires batteries to power the device or make the most of the power from the computer. 

Intelli-mouse known as wheel mouse or scroll mouse, has the ability to use the wheel as a button by pressing down on the wheel. It is the right mouse button that enables the user to easily scroll up and down using wheel instead of having to use the vertical scroll bar. A type of mouse solution for portable computers that utilized "J" key on the keyboard has two separated for the left and right clicks below the space bar. J mouse with J key is in a different colour than all the other keys.

As everyone knows, mouse is a pointing device mostly used with computers. It uses unique technology to choose a menu or function in computers. With the support of two dimensional motions, it performs efficiently. A mouse has been designed with a small case. The case has been designed in such a manner to hold it comfortably. The case has 2 or 3 buttons. Mostly mouse come with wheels which is essential for executing system dependent operations. The movements of the mouse will be displayed on the screen as a pointer which usually resembles like an arrow mark.

• Oldest Mouse

The very first mouse was introduced in the year 1963. The first mouse was not small as we get now. The size of the oldest mouse was very bulky. They functioned with the help of 2 gear wheels. These wheels were fixed perpendicular to each other. The movements or rotations of these wheels were translated as motions.

• Mechanical Mouse

Gradually the size of the mouse started to reduce. External wheels were replaced by balls. The balls will turn around. The devices have two rollers namely X and Y. These grippers hold the ball which becomes a base for the physical movement of the balls. This types of ball mouse was used in 1972. The device can rotate in any directions with the help of balls. Instead of ordinary balls inverted track balls were used in the midst of 1980s and 1990s. Two rollers were housed inside the ball mouse. Each roller was equipped with the device for horizontal as well as vertical motions. The signals will be sent from the mouse to the computer with the help of wire connections.

• Optical Mouse

A unique technology has been used nowadays in designing mouse. A light emitting diode and photodiode have been used for detecting the physical movement of the mouse. An optoelectronic sensor plays an essential role in the performance of optical mouse. Chip is used for processing the changes usually happening among the frames. Today's mouse manufacturers have designed mouse with the potential to process up to 1512 frames in one second. The major difference between mechanical and optical mouse is the detecting technology. Mechanical mouse use the balls to detect the movements optically. They were never bothered about the surface compatibility. But optical mouse use sensor light reflections to detect the motions.

• Laser Mouse

Mouse that functions with laser technology is known as 'laser mouse. This high tech mouse was introduced during the year 2000. Logitech has the credit as "first laser mouse introducer" in the market. Instead of LED technology, IR laser is used which enhances the images. This laser mouse has an advantage of high surface tracking power and lower energy consumption. You can use wireless laser mouse but they are comparatively a bit expensive.