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Subject:Re: QUERY: Mouse nomenclature? From:"Dan S. Azlin" <dazlin -at- SHORE -dot- NET> Date:Fri, 17 Mar 1995 02:37:43 -0500
On Fri, 10 Mar 1995, Glenda Jeffrey wrote:
> Hello all --
> I'd like to know if there is a defacto standard for referring
> to the buttons on the mouse. I've seen three different styles:
> left, middle and right mouse button
> mouse button 1, 2, 3
> MB1, MB2, and MB3
> As a (right-handed) user of a left-handed mouse, I find the
> first choice confusing. I always have to stop and do the
> flip-flop in my head. To me, the number one would correspond
> universally to the "primary" button -- the left button for
> right-handed users. And as for the MB abbreviation: I've
> seen it a few places, but I don't know whether it's prevalent
> enough to be commonly understood.
> Which one would you folks use?
> (BTW, I use a left-handed mouse because it keeps my right hand
> free for jotting things down. It's also been said that using
> your off hand for things like this improves coordination, and
> even some thought processes -- but you couldn't prove it by me ;)
This is a perfect case where a labeled line drawing of the mouse can
eliminate confusion. Sometimes an icon of a mouse with the subject
button darkened is another approach that can be used.