Term of the Moment
Bored Ape Yacht Club
Definition: mouse
The primary pointing device on a desktop computer. Laptops have the equivalent function in a built-in trackpad, although many users prefer the handheld mouse.
Relative vs. Absolute
Mouse movement is relative. For example, a mouse could be moved along your arm or across your stomach, and the screen cursor would move from its existing location the same angle and distance. In contrast, the mouse-like object on a graphics tablet, which is correctly called a "tablet cursor" or "puck," is often not relative. It contacts the tablet with absolute reference, which means if you place the stylus on the upper left part of the tablet, the screen cursor appears on the upper left side of the screen. See pointing device, scroll mouse, mechanical mouse, optical mouse, Magic Mouse and mickey.
Mice Are Not Always Friendly
It is well known that hours of clicking can strain the wrist (see carpal tunnel syndrome). In addition, there is way too much mouse movement in today's operating systems and applications on desktop computers. Instead of the next item to click presented on screen close to the last position of the pointer (cursor), the next obvious selection is often at the other end of the screen. See good user interface.
First Public Mouse Demonstration
One Size Does Not Fit All
A Variety of Critters
Relative vs. Absolute
Mouse movement is relative. For example, a mouse could be moved along your arm or across your stomach, and the screen cursor would move from its existing location the same angle and distance. In contrast, the mouse-like object on a graphics tablet, which is correctly called a "tablet cursor" or "puck," is often not relative. It contacts the tablet with absolute reference, which means if you place the stylus on the upper left part of the tablet, the screen cursor appears on the upper left side of the screen. See pointing device, scroll mouse, mechanical mouse, optical mouse, Magic Mouse and mickey.
Mice Are Not Always Friendly
It is well known that hours of clicking can strain the wrist (see carpal tunnel syndrome). In addition, there is way too much mouse movement in today's operating systems and applications on desktop computers. Instead of the next item to click presented on screen close to the last position of the pointer (cursor), the next obvious selection is often at the other end of the screen. See good user interface.
Invented by Doug Engelbart in the 1960s at Stanford Research Institute (SRI), it used two moving wheels 90 degrees apart. Subsequent mechanical mice were similar but with rubberized trackballs moving internal wheels. (Image courtesy of The Bootstrap Institute.)
Contour Design makes mice that come in many sizes for a perfect fit. They also put less strain on the "clicking finger." (Image courtesy of Contour Design, Inc.)
All kinds of mouse designs have come and gone over the years. (Image courtesy of Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), Brian Tramontana, Photographer.)