Occasionally we literally get ourselves in over our heads trying to keep up with technology. This is particularly true if you have a fancy new screen or might be just getting used to the touch-pad of a new laptop or keyboard touch-pad combo. These techniques might be useful for anyone who is teaching someone to use a mouse or touch-pad and will help you slow things down and ease the frustration levels.
Adjusting the Double-click Speed
The ability to hold the mouse still and double-click can at times be challenging for young children, novices and seniors alike. The result is that sometimes you get it and other times it’s problematic and frustrating. It is possible to adjust the speed at which you need to double-click the mouse to activate a button, here’s how:
In Windows – 7
Click the Start Button -> Control Panel -> Hardware & Sound which will present the following dialogue box. Windows 8 will be similar.
Choose Devices & Printers and then Mouse
Click the Mouse link and you will see the following dialogue box.
Click the Buttons Tab and you will see the Button configuration options, the setting we’re interested in is the Double-click speed setting in the centre of the window. To the right of the slider you will see a yellow folder (Windows 8 will display a Box) double-click on the folder or the box. You can adjust the slider up or down until you can consistently open the folder/box.
Where’s the Mouse???
Another common complaint of “newbies” and seniors is the inability to see or pick up the mouse pointer when they move the mouse around the screen. To correct or adjust this, one can do one of two things or both.
Click the Pointer Options tab of the Mouse Properties dialogue box, and you will see the following options.
The options we need are Motion and Visibility. First lets slow the mouse pointer down by moving the slider to the left and test the setting by moving the mouse and observing the behaviour. Continue to move the slider down until you are happy with the setting.
The other setting is the Visibility option, if you click the Tick Box, this will add trails to the mouse pointer, this is like watching a “con/jet” trail behind aeroplane which is at high altitude. You may not be able to see the jet itself but you have a better chance of making it out by following the trail it leaves behind.
Once you enable Display Pointer Trails, you can adjust the length of the tail by adjusting the slider.
When you are happy with the settings click the Apply button to set them for your use. Hopefully this will enhance your productivity and experience using your computer while reducing your stress levels.
About the Writer
An IT Professional for more than 20 years and an entrepreneur for more than a decade, Russell Williams has extensive experience as an IT Trainer and facilitator and is happy to answer your questions. E-mail them to firstname.lastname@example.org or follow him on Twitter @RWilliamsKN
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