|
|
Patrick Chinn
Distributed Network Computing Consultant
pchinn@oregon.uoregon.edu
Take a look at your mouse. If you are using a computer running Windows, your
mouse will have at least two buttons. It may even have a scroll wheel as well.
You undoubtedly use the left mouse button with great frequency, but what about
the right button?
Windows. In Windows, the right mouse button is the secret portal to
new features. We all know that if you click twice with the left mouse button
(also known as a double-click), it will open whatever you click on. Click once
with the right button, however, and you get a menu.
This menu is called a contextual menu because the items in that menu will be
different depending on the particular item you click (the context of the click).
Right-clicking on a program produces different results than if you right-click
on My Computer.
(Take a couple of minutes to try it. What menu items show up consistently?
What items change from object to object?)
Right-clicking in Windows will offer you a menu of choices that include Open,
Create Shortcut, Delete, Rename and Properties. Most of these options are self-explanatory.
Properties, however, unlock a host of configuration options.
As an example, right click on the Recycle Bin (in Windows) and select Properties
from the contextual menu. In the window that appears you can (in Windows 98)
perform the following actions:
Using the Properties option with files and folders will give you information
like file size and creation date. You can even hide the file or folder by checking
the "Hidden" option. (Note, however, that once you hide an item it
is difficult to find it again to make it visible.)
Right-clicking also comes in handy when moving or copying items. If you right-click
and drag a file, for instance, Windows will give youthree options when you release
the mouse button: Move Here, Copy Here and Create Shortcuts Here.
Mac OS. Mac OS users have a similar feature. With Apple's standard
one button mouse, hold the Control key and click on an object to reveal a contextual
menu. Some versions of Mac OS add a small menu icon to the pointer, providing
immediate feedback when you press the Control key.
Apple's version of Properties is called "Get Info." This shows creation
and modification dates and times, file size and comments. You can also lock
a file to prevent it from being overwritten.
Mac OS X supports two-button mice right out of the box, so if you find yourself
Control-clicking with frequency, buy yourself an inexpensive two-button USB
mouse and enjoy.
Microsoft and Apple have continued to refine the function of contextual menus
in their operating systems. Contextual menus in Mac OS X are similar to those
in earlier operating systems but offer options unique to Apple's new operating
system.
Spend a few minutes at your computer exploring contextual menus and you may find yourself working a little more efficiently.