The 2-button mouse changed my life
Seriously. It’s not that I wasn’t aware that CTRL-click has ever simulated the right-click of the 2-button mouse.
I’m usually filled with glee, in fact, to debunk this myth when my Wintel-touting friends bring it up. It’s just
that… now that I have the second button, it just occurs to me to use it in places it never occurred to me to
CTRL-click. I’ve been having lots of fun right-clicking everywhere just to see what paradigm-shifting new goodies I can
stumble upon. All of us fall into habits in our workflow, and sometimes we miss little tricks that, once we find them,
we can’t imagine we could possibly have lived without.
Here’s just one example, and I’m hoping you all will post your favorite ‘right-click’ tips as well: select a word or
phrase in Firefox and right-click. Select “Search web for [ ]” to open a new tab with a Google search for that term. In
Safari, the option is just “Google Search,” and will load the search in the same tab. I’m sure this works in other
browsers as well; please testify.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ryan said 2:21AM on 7-23-2005
What mouse are you using? Because I hear that IOGear one you have pictured is nice, but I haven't used it myself.
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barb dybwad said 4:41PM on 10-07-2005
I'm using the Kensington Pocket Mouse Pro (http://www.kensington.com/html/1211.html) - I haven't used the IOGear one either; it just happened to be the first 2-button mouse that already had a photo in the database. :)
I like the Kensington, though - it's cool that the cord retracts into the housing. Makes it easier to travel with, and eliminates at least one cord from the snake pit of cables in my bag when I cart around the mobile office. :)
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Kevin Ballard said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
I've been using an 8-button trackball for quite a long time (although I don't actually use 2 of the buttons on it). This includes a scrollwheel, which if you don't have, you *need* to get one! Once you get used to the scrollwheel, you never want to go back.
I recently got an 8-button optical mouse (Logitech MX510) because there are times when a mouse is necessary (accurate small mouse movements, like 2 pixels left and 1 up (think Photoshop editing)) and I love this one. So if you want a trackball, go for Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan (the wireless aspect isn't necessary, but I don't know of a wired model), and if you want a mouse go for Logitech MX510 Optical Mouse.
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Robert said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
Favorite right clicks:
Right-clicking links in Safari, to open in new window (see below for opening in a new tab) or to copy the URL or save the URL contents. Likewise, in Mail.app right-click an email address to reveal (and perhaps copy) the actual address.
But why stop there?
- Most multi-button mice have a scroll wheel that acts like a middle button. Favorite use: Middle-click on a link in Safari to open it in a new tab.
- My Logitech mouse has 2 extra buttons on the side. Mac OS X recognizes them without any extra drivers. I map them to the Expose F9 and F10 functions. Do that and you'll find yourself using Expose ALL the time!
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