Pointing devices

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2. Pointing Devices

these are devices used to control the pointer/cursor on the screen. Examples: mouse, joystick, trackball, light pen etc

   The Mouse

there are different types of mice namely: ps/2, optical, wireless/cordless etc 

Mouse skills

as the mouse moves on a flat surface, it moves a ball beneath or a photosensitive signal that corresponds by moving the pointer/cursor on the screen. 

Mouse Parts

 Mouse terminologies

-Clicking- this is pressing the left button of the mouse once to execute a command

-Double clicking- clicking the left button of the mouse twice in quick succession. Used to start an icon

-Drag and drop-this involves clicking on an icon, dragging it, and releasing the button. Used to move and re size objects

-Pointing-moving the mouse pointer to the designated target

Scrolling wheel- used to move hidden text up and down the screen of an active window.

• Track ball- this is just like a mouse whose ball is located at the top. The pointer on the screen is moved as the user moves the ball with a finger.

 

Track Ball

• Joy stick- looks like a car gear. When the lever like part is moved, the pointer moves on the screen. Mostly used to play games. 

 

Joy Stick

•  Light pen and stylus- A light pen, also called a selector pen, is a computer input device in the form of a light-sensitive wand used in conjunction with a computer's CRT display. It allows the user to point to displayed objects or draw on the screen in a similar way to a touch screen but with greater positional accuracy

  

  Light Pen