Adjusting your computer can make is safer, more enjoyable

More and more I’ve noticed we’re not taking the time to set up our mice.

Not only does an easy to use mouse make your computer time more enjoyable, but it will also help prevent disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. Ergonomic positioning, adjustment of the mouse settings, and taking advantage of all the built-in features really help.

It’s not a good idea to force your computer to fit into a redesigned desk area. It’s important to adjust the height and angle of the keyboard and mouse to avoid overextension of your wrists or arms. This means you may need to raise or lower your workspace. You can easily achieve this by installing an adjustable keyboard tray or by raising your chair.

If you don’t want to redesign, consider placing a board on a drawer in the center of a desk – making sure it’s large enough to accommodate your mouse. Don’t place your mouse too far from the keyboard - if your mouse is not directly in front of you, you’ll have to repeatedly reach, which can result in unwanted strain.

The goal is to achieve a straight line between the hand and the forearm. Concentrate on moving the entire arm to reduce bending your wrists. A mouse pad or wrist rest can also help to maintain straight wrists.

Once the logistics of the mouse are solved, the next concern is typically “What’s the difference between a left and right click?” A mouse has a primary (left) and secondary (right) mouse button. The primary button selects items, positions the cursor in a document and drags items in order to move them.

The right secondary mouse button displays a menu of tasks or options, such as open, copy, delete, etc. Clicking the secondary mouse button is called right clicking. This menu is useful for completing tasks quickly and if you have trouble double-clicking, you can perform the same task by right-clicking an icon and then clicking the option on the menu that appears.

Most mice now include a under utilized wheel that helps you to scroll through documents more easily. The wheel acts as a third button. There are some significant advantages to using this feature:

• If you hold the CNTRL button down while rolling the wheel you can zoom in and out, which will increase the size of the print on your screen. No more straining to read your screen.

• Rolling the wheel without holding any buttons allows you to move up or down in a document or on a Web page. You can even set your mouse to free the movement and set a speed for automatic advancement when reading a long article.

Remember also to take the time adjust your mouse. Although it will normally work right out of the box, a few simple adjustments to the way it looks and feels can be amazing.

You can switch buttons, adjust the speed, sensitivity or even change your pointer. All these changes can be made through the Control Panel. Simply click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Mouse. Experiment, it will be worth the effort.

If you’d like to adjust your mouse and are having some difficulty, or have any other questions, stop by and see us at our walk-in clinic at the Senior Center. We’re there every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and it’s free.