# APPENDIX A: Mouse Operation Concepts

## A.1 Mouse Pointer

Interaction with GUIs generally involves a mouse. Move your mouse around on its pad, in a circle. You will see a symbol move around on the screen, also in a circle. This symbol is the mouse pointer. Generally, it will have an arrowhead shape. In a text entry window, it will probably look like an "I"-beam.

If the window cannot be made active, the pointer will be a large "X". You may also see other symbols, such as the clock face that indicates something is in progress.

## A.2 Mouse Buttons and Actions

### A.2.1 Buttons

Motif assumes a mouse with three buttons, but if your mouse has fewer buttons, you will probably be able to achieve the same results with some combination of buttons and actions. For example, a two button mouse may simulate the third button by having both buttons depressed. At the moment, the Empress GUI Builder only uses the left and right (first and third) buttons.

### A.2.2 Selecting

The most important mouse-button operation is selection (the equivalent of hitting "Enter" on the keyboard). This is usually done by clicking the leftmost button.

### A.2.3 Clicking

The basic mouse actions are moving a pointer around the screen, and using the buttons. Depressing and releasing the select button is called "clicking". Several clicks in quick succession are called "double" or "triple" clicks, depending on the number. How quickly you will have to push the button to get multiple clicks, (as opposed to a series of single clicks), will depend on your installation.

### A.2.4 Dragging

The mouse can be used to move items around the screen. To "drag" an item, position the mouse pointer within the item to be moved, depress the select button and hold it down while moving the outline of the item. When the object reaches the desired location, then release the button.