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Ask The Geek Right-click of happiness If you've had your computer for a while, take a look at your mouse. Pay particular attention to the left mouse button — the one you're used to clicking all the time. Is the plastic a little bit worn from where you've clicked it several thousand times? Perhaps there's a bit of "finger-dirt buildup" lingering right around the sweet spot where you normally rest your finger. Now, look at your right mouse button. If you noticed much "wear and tear" on the left button, see how the right button compares. If it looks like you've never clicked that neglected button, this is for you. "Right-clicking" is typically used to bring up "context-sensitive menus." In other words, when you right-click something, you are presented with options that are specific to whatever it was that you right-clicked, rather than myriad unrelated options to sift through. For example, if you're using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, try right-clicking the "My Computer" icon. When you do, you'll be presented with a small context-sensitive menu that lists shortcuts to different areas of your system. One option in that menu is "Properties." Selecting "Properties" will display information about your computer, including what type of processor you have, how much memory is installed and exactly what version of Windows you're using, such as "Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2." Right-clicking the "My Computer" icon also gives you access to another handy system tool. Select "Manage" from the same context-sensitive menu as before. The "Manage" option opens the Computer Management tool. This tool contains, among other useful items, the Device Manager. The Device Manager lists all the nuts-and-bolts components and drivers installed in your computer. This area helps determine whether Windows has a problem with one of your computer's devices. Also in the Computer Management tool is the Event Viewer, which lets you view error logs and messages generated by Windows and other applications. You'll also find disk management features and a list of "Services" that Windows is keeping track of. These areas aren't necessarily for the faint of heart, but look around and see what Windows is up to. Rule of Thumb: Don't make changes that you aren't comfortable with or don't understand. If you right-click your Desktop — not on an icon, but just about anywhere else that isn't being used by a program or shortcut — you can select "Properties" from the context-sensitive menu that appears. This takes you directly to the area of Windows where you can change your desktop background, screen saver, display resolution and much more. In programs like Microsoft Word, right-clicking the "page" lets you change the properties of that document. Right-clicking a selected word or group of words (or even every word in a large document) allows you to change the font, alignment, line spacing and other things. It's also the fastest way to access "Cut, Copy and Paste." Right-clicking a cell in Microsoft Excel gives you specific options for that cell. Let's not forget Toolbars! At the top of most applications like Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer, right-clicking a blank area of the Toolbar (the buttons along the top of the program) lets you modify the Toolbar to add buttons you need or remove buttons you never use. There are thousands of shortcuts directly under your right mouse button. Click away and discover quicker ways to get things done! Kevin McDonald: Writer and professional computer/network administrator. He lives in Amarillo with his wife and children, and owns and operates Definition Computers (806-236-9615). E-mail Kevin at askthegeek@definitioncomputers.com with questions you'd like to see answered in this column.
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comments about this story Posted: May 22, 2008 |
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