windows xp keyboard instead of mouse, is it possile

learnerplates

Can the keyboard be used instead of the mouse, 100% or at least 80% ?

I'm used to text editing keyboard shortcuts, ctrl+c etc but what about windows exporer, can you collapse folders etc with keyboard keys?
how about navigating tabs on a browser, mozilla for example?
Is there list of keyboard shortcuts out there?

This mouse is giving me a finger ache!!http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/images/smilies/frown.gif

Umiq88

Alot of things can be done without the mouse but its very tedious for internet browsing id start looking for a new easy to use mouse or a touch screen moniter migtht be a solution

You could try searching google for shorcuts to cut down on the use of your mouse

Peteee

learnerplates wrote:

I'm used to text editing keyboard shortcuts, ctrl+c etc but what about windows exporer, can you collapse folders etc with keyboard keys?
how about navigating tabs on a browser, mozilla for example?
Is there list of keyboard shortcuts out there?

ctrl + TAB will switch between tabs in Firefox (And most other tabbed applications)

As for the rest

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/126449

colm_c

Yeah it's very possible...

In fact blind users' don't use a mouse or a monitor, but use screenreading software, and tons of keyboard shortcuts to use a computer and applications.

Tried it once when a colleagues mouse got damaged and won't work... I prefer the mouse...

learnerplates

Cheers all.
Petees link to ms is a good enough start for now.
If anyone comes across anything else let me know.
keeping the finger on the mouse all day is not the way forward, me thinks.. thanks again.
LP.

Jonathan

I saw this extension for firefox a while back. never tried it tho. Conkeror

JPA

Opera allows voice contolled browsing. I couldn't get it to work very well but it's there.

thebman

To navigate links in Firefox you can use the find.

Simply press ctrl+f and then type the name of the hyperlink text on the page and it'll go to it. Then hit enter.

If your machine does not have a windows key, Ctrl+Esc does the same thing.

F1 loads help files.

Alt+F4 closes windows

Windows Key+M brings you to your desktop.

There are others especially Ms Office ones where Ctrl+B / Ctrl+U etc.. will bold/highlight text.

Ctrl+S is save.

You should really buy a mouse though. Cost you about 15 Euro and save you all this hassle.

learnerplates

thanks. I have a mouse but only one index finger which I will probably need for other things later in life out of office.

Cheers all.
LP.

SeanW

you just haven't found the right mouse yet.

I don't know how long you've used a computer for but if you remember the days of Windows 3.1/3.11/95/98/NT you may have used a program called File Manager.

I'm using Windows XP now but I was able to lift a copy of the Windows NT version, it allows you to do a lot of navigation with the keyboard, I use it in preference to Windows Explorer because I find it highly efficient.

I can't post it here obviously because it would technically be warez.

learnerplates

I remember the old OSs alright but not File Manager!!

Explorer has shortcuts, right arrow and left arrow expand and collapse the folders for instance.

I think there's enough info out there for me now but I doubt if all apps subscribe to the same standards!!:(

Some of you guys work in the IT area I'd presume, me too meaning I'm on this PC all day, I prefer the give the index a break for a while and spread the stress to the other pinkies, what solutions have you guys found, are there other micez out there too?

Sparkicks

im not sure if this is exactly what you want but you can control the mouse from the keyboards using the num pad just go to contol pannel then accessibility options then mouse and use mousekeys you might want to config the settings a bit since its a bit slow at the default settings

learnerplates

Cheers Sparckicks.
Your right.. I'm using the keyboard in combination with the shortcuts instead of the mouse, in a couple of days I'l be up to speed.
Thanks for the tip,
LP.

Lump

You could fork out a lot of money for a wacom tablet and pen (There's cheap versions available, but they're not the great)

Linky: http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/89177

Jesus, I didn't think they were that expensive, there's loads of them lying around in work.....

SouperComputer

what about training your other hand to use the mouse. It doesnt take as long as you might think.

Working without a mouse is entirely possible, but as others have said web browsing espcially can be very tedious.

learnerplates

I find the keyboard-as-mouse solution to be effective for navigating websites, you have the same power and the mouse.. it's a bit slower alright but means you don't have to take your hands of the beloved keyboard at all for the whole day;)

Ah the joys of being a geek.