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Popularized by the Opera browser, the mouse gesture is slowly but surely gaining support from both software developers and users. The idea is that rather than having to click on an icon or use a keyboard shortcut, the user instead holds down a mouse button (usually the right) then moves the mouse in a certain gesture (for example from right to left) and then released the button. This gesture is then converted in to relevant command, for example the commend 'go back' in a browser window. Whilst still not big in personal computing, gestures are already very popular on devices such as a PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants) as the omission of a keyboard means that conventional keyboard shortcuts aren't available as an alternative to laboriously clicking icons. To get a feel for the potential uses of mouse gestures let's take a look at those already present in the popular Opera internet browser. The gestures below require the right mouse button to be held down leaving you free to execute your chosen gesture: Previous Page - Move mouse left Next Page - Move mouse right Home Page - Double click right mouse button Open New Document - Move down Reload Page - Move up, then down Maximise Window - Move up, then right Minimise Window - Move down, then left Close Document - Move down, then right If you missed my review of this popular browser be sure to check out the computer articles website. Opera has had mouse gesture support since way back in 2001 and unfortunately as of yet neither Firefox nor Internet Explorer include support straight out the box. Both applications can be upgraded through with the use of add-in applications; those using Firefox should head to <a href="http://optimoz.mozdev.org" target="_blank">http://optimoz.mozdev.org</a> and for Internet Explorer check out <a href="http://www.ysgyfarnog.co.uk" target="_blank">www.ysgyfarnog.co.uk</a>. Of course, both these utilities are very small downloads, completely free and don't include any advertising. Software support outside of the browser market is quite limited due to the fact that whilst most people use an Internet Browser in a similar fashion, most other applications are used in a very individual fashion and as such shortcuts for repetitive commands aren't as relevant. I'd like to see more Operating System support for mouse gestures and I'm surprised that Vista didn't have anything significant included; it wouldn't revolutionise the user interface but would have been a nice touch. Admittedly the possible range of commands that can be used in this fashion are limited but when you are used to executing mouse gestures, I am absolutely positive you can reduce the amount of time you spend performing repetitive tasks.
Article Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.net Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/internet-and-computers.php/263430 Article Added on Thursday, September 16, 2010 LD
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