POINT AND CLICK
This is a very basic lesson in how to use the mouse.
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1. How to hold the mouse:
   • First off, don't hold the mouse, in the sense of picking it up and cradling it. It needs to be in contact with a flat smooth surface.
   • Reach for mouse with your right hand. Rest your palm on the mouse's back. Drape your thumb and little finger on either side of the mouse.
   • Now you're in a position to push the mouse around. We'll do a final fitting in step 4.

2. Moving the mouse:
   • Look for the cursor, , on the screen. If you have trouble locating the cursor, jiggle the mouse to and fro for a moment. Hold the mouse as described above, and while looking at the screen at the cursor, move your hand from right to left. Notice how the cursor moves from right to left (if it changes shape as it moves, pay it no mind for now)
   • Keep your eyes on the screen, and while resting your hand on the mouse. Move your hand closer to your body and then further away. Notice how the cursor moves up and down the screen.

3. Clicking with the mouse:
   • The two buttons on the mouse are for "clicking."
   • The left mouse button will be doing most of the work. You'll want to keep your right index finger "on the trigger," by resting it on the left mouse button. Don't suspend your finger above the button; it may come down on the wrong mouse button with unexpected results. Just rest your left forefinger gently on the left button.
   • To click, hold the mouse steady and bear down momentarily with your index finger on the left mouse button. You should hear a "click" as you depress the mouse. The button should be depressed for only an instant; the downward click and the upward click should merge into one sound.

4. Final Fitting: Since every hand is different, you'll have to find the right position for your hand. People with smaller hands might rest their hand on the mouse, lying their finger on the primary mouse button; others with larger hands might arch their hand slightly over mouse, gently "standing" their index finger on the mouse button and resting the heel of their hand on the mousepad or work surface. The important thing is to find what's comfortable so you can relax and stop worrying about the mouse and do and what you came here to do.

5. Using the mouse with Netscape Navigator:
   • Netscape Navigator relies on the mouse as the primary means of navigation. You need to mouse to point to links and the mouse button to follow these links.
   • LINKS can either be text or images like or like .
   • Text links are usually represented in a color different from plain text. This is the chief clue used to identify a link.
   • The cursor also gives a clue about links. When the cursor passes over a link (text or image) it changes from a pointer to a hand showing you an index finger.
     Cursor (in red circle) is not over the image link
     Clicking left button achieves only confusion while cursor is still a pointer.
     
     Cursor is over the link and ready to click
     When you see the finger, you can click.
   • While we're on the subject: The cursor turns into an hourglass after successful clicking
     
     After successful clicking, waiting for a reply
     
6. The Right Mouse Button: After you've mastered clicking with the left mouse button you might want to see what happens if you click the right mouse button.

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   This page based on the work of Queens Borough Public Library, New York