Office Etiquette Part I

Today's lesson is how to click a mouse button. Surprisingly many graduate from college with computer skills but no keyboard etiquette. The secret is in a relaxed  and slightly bent index finger. As the finger goes down, you'll hear a very soft click followed by another click as you release pressure. Try this several times and note the finger never leaves the mouse button.

AVOID THE POWERCLICK!

What is the powerclick you ask? Chances are you've heard it before but are unaware. Let me start by defining a "strong click". A strong click is any left mouse click where the index finger leaves the surface of the mouse before striking the mouse button. Taking this one step further is the grandest of all office etiquette offenses the power click. A power click is a "strong click" where the index finger is lifted and extended to a straight or nearly straight position before descending loudly on the left mouse button. The result is a horrific sound that sends shivers up your cube neighbor's spine.

A mouse button sends TWO AND ONLY TWO signals to your computer. They are mouse button pushed DOWN and mouse button pushed UP. Contrary to what you might be thinking during your power clicking, the computer does not differentiate between a hard press from a soft press. The result is still the same.

There is also no need to point upwards before clicking. You are not Hank Aaron about to hit a homerun to left field. There is no audience that is going to cheer your firm mouse stroke. Save your finger the extra workout and leave it on the button.

Getting help...

Here's a list of steps you can take to cure yourself from the power click for good.

1. Start your morning off everyday by maximizing and minimizing a window with the left mouse button. Be sure to use good form. Finger should be bent and should not leave the mouse button. Note the separate clicks.
2. If you notice yourself power clicking in the middle of the day.. repeat the drill in step one.
3. Imagine your mouse is a real delicate furry creature. You don't want to hurt it. Treat it as your tiny friend.
4. Take small piece of tape and roll it into a small loop just big enough to fit your finger inside. Make sure the sticky part is on the outside. Place the tape on the left mouse button. Now when you use the mouse make sure you slide your finger in and out of the tape loop when moving the hand from keyboard to mouse. The loop will prevent the temptation of lifting your finger.

Soon to come...

I'm working on a prototype mouse that can actually sense the force of a mouse press. The Catch? Presses over a certain threshold will be ignored. Sorry power clickers. Stay tuned for Office Etiquitte 2: The Power Return.