POLL: How do you hold your mouse?

[bassoprofundo]

Ok... So two of my buddies got into a scrap the other day about the right way to hold a mouse, that is, the correct finger position. One holds his with his index finger on the left button, his middle finger on the right-click button, and switches his middle finger to the scroll wheel as needed (We'll call this the "2-finger method" for naming purposes). The other uses his index finger on the left button, his middle finger on the scroll wheel, and his ring finger on the right-click button (the 3-finger method). I've never really paid attention, but I think I use the first method during normal windows use and the other when I game. So... what do you use? Discuss...

Can't wait to see the responses on whether the "2-finger" or "3-finger" is better... I'm hoping the female gamers weigh in on this...

 

[Frintin]

Feels totally unnatural to me to use the 3 finger method. I cannot control that third finger well enough to accurately use it on the right click mouse button.

Some people are going to be naturals at it, some with excellent typing skills may use that method too, how about piano players or guitar players?

 

[corkyg]

Generally your two finger method, but I do the scroll wheel with the index finger. It moves over easier to the right than the salute finger does to the left.

I teach basic computing for seniors, and have found an excellent web site that has a really complete interactive "mousing" tutorial. It is worth a look.

Mousing

This comes from the Palm Beach Public Library (FL) as a public service.

 

[StopSign]

I can dynamically change the "method" at will. However, 99.9% of the time it's 3-finger.

I use 2-finger if I know I'm doing something that requires more scrolling than clicking, but I use my index finger to scroll the wheel instead of my middle finger. I use MX500/MX518 all the time and all I do is shift my hand a little to the right and my index finger would be on top of the wheel instead of the button.

If I know I won't be doing any right clicking, I can shift my hand to the left and use my index/middle fingers for left click and my ring finger for the wheel and right click. This reduces the overall stress on all my fingers.

If I know I'm only scrolling and nothing else, I hold the entire mouse in my palm and scroll with my thumb.

All of these "methods" are based on the shape and design of the Logitech MX mice. The typical 2-finger method is probably based on the typical egg-shaped mice out there. It's really hard to do that with the big "split" in the MX mice.

 

[bassoprofundo]

It's interesting that you bring up the mouse type as being a factor. Now that I've been cognizant of this, I realize that my method changes based on the mouse I'm using. I use a Razer Boomslang 21k and a Diamondback at home. On the Boomslang, I always use my 3-finger method. The sheer size of the mouse and the fact that it's meant to be held much lower on the mouse body for maximum control make it almost impossible to use anything but the longest finger for the scroll wheel, even with my large hands. However, the Diamondback is considerably smaller, and I find myself switching back and forth and even using the index finger for the mouse wheel some as some folks mentioned. The Diamondback is considerably less comfortable to use in the 3-finger position compared to the Boomslang, though. My fingers are much more crowded. I use an older Logitech Mouseman+ USB at work, so I'll have to pay attention more when I go back to the office and see... The bad thing is that the more I pay attention to it, the less I'm really able to determine what way I use it the most. Psychologists could have a field day with me...

 

[HN]

wait a minute, the guy with the 2-finger method, he middle clicks/scrolls with his middle finger? haven't heard of that one (i have heard of the 3-finger method where middle finger is used to scroll but not on the 2-finger method).

My right hand (general computing):
Logitech MX510
-Index finger for left click/scroll/middle click
-Middle finger for right click
-thumb for the two left side-buttons

My left hand (for gaming):
MS intellimouse optical
-*edit* ring finger for left side-button
-middle finger for left click
-index finger for middle click/scroll/right click
-thumb for right side-button

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Yeah, I'd say the two finger is the most widely used form, but not for the middle finger to operate the scroll wheel... (index for primary and scroll wheel operation)

Conclusion: both of your friends are weirdos. Oh and they're both "wrong".

 

[yosuke188]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
Yeah, I'd say the two finger is the most widely used form, but not for the middle finger to operate the scroll wheel... (index for primary and scroll wheel operation)

Conclusion: both of your friends are weirdos. Oh and they're both "wrong".

:thumbsup:

 

[bassoprofundo]

Eh... There's no question that they're both "weirdos". They're having a discussion about mouse techniques... Ah... When I think of the conversations that go on when you work in closed area with 10 other computer geeks between the ages of 20 and 35... Words like "aggro", "ganked", and "pwned" are used more and held in higher esteem than things like "social life" and "hygiene". Like I said before, though, I find myself using the middle finger to scroll more when I'm using the Boomslang due to it's size. On smaller mice, I use my index finger more.

 

[potato28]

I use the 3 finger method on my Habu. It's just bigger than the old MX518, and it gives me more control when I play games.

 

[Trippytiger]

I usually stick to the "two-finger method," with both of my fingers basically right beside the wheel so it's easy for me to spin it quickly with either one. I'll also middle-click with either one as well. Mice with big dividers between the two buttons really bother me, because it means I have to have my fingers farther away from the wheel, but I still usually use just the two fingers.

 

[bassoprofundo]

Good responses... Bump

 

[Peter]

Four fingers: Left button, wheel, middle button, right button. Pinkie on table, thumb in thumb indentation with its own button.

OK, my mouse holding is all different, simply because it's a vertical mouse: http://www.evoluent.com

 

[fierydemise]

I use a combination of the two, index finger on the left button then both middle and ring fingers right button, sometimes I use my middle finger to scroll and my ring finger for the right button sometimes I use middle finger for both.

 

[kilcan]

Neither.

Index on left, middle on right. Index switches from left to middle. Thumb on side click button.

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: Frintin
Feels totally unnatural to me to use the 3 finger method. I cannot control that third finger well enough to accurately use it on the right click mouse button.

Some people are going to be naturals at it, some with excellent typing skills may use that method too, how about piano players or guitar players?

I played the piano for 10 years, type 90 WPM and use the three finger method.

Seems we have some confirming anecdotal evidence for your theory.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: Tegeril

Originally posted by: Frintin
Feels totally unnatural to me to use the 3 finger method. I cannot control that third finger well enough to accurately use it on the right click mouse button.

Some people are going to be naturals at it, some with excellent typing skills may use that method too, how about piano players or guitar players?

I played the piano for 10 years, type 90 WPM and use the three finger method.

Seems we have some confirming anecdotal evidence for your theory.

Don't put too much bank on it, the three finger method doesn't exactly bode well for finger control - while it could work perfect for palmers.

With finger control you often have your pinky finger planted to your mouse pad/surface to function as a stabilizer or an anchor with your thumb and ring finger providing the grip - leaving only the index and middle for button control (not including side buttons).

If you use a palm type grip to control, well you're a noob , but I guess it is ok to thus be using a 3 finger method. Now whatever type of grip you use, if you're using a two finger method and using your middle finger to access other functions other than right button click (or left if you're a lefty), then I'd say you're just weird - I haven't seen many people with middle fingers more capable than their index fingers when it comes to the lateral motion required to move over and deftly access other buttons.

 

[Tegeril]

I've just never really had any trouble performing any of the functions with any of the fingers. I always mapped jump to right click in games because I have good control over my ring finger and the mouse button provides superior click rate (for double/quad jump), alt fire mapped to mouse wheel click, weapon changes to mouse wheel scroll, and fire to left click.

I can totally understand why this sort of thing would not work for people, but I am far less efficient with only two fingers on the mouse because I cannot be using all three functions without swapping fingers back and forth.

I use a Logitech MX518. My thumb rests in the thumb area and uses the forward/back buttons, index finger on left click, middle finger on wheel, left on right click, and the pinkie rests against the right side of the mouse, sometimes skimming the desk surface, sometimes not.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Not to rain on your parade there, but I don't know of many games where you can (or if you can you might not want to) fire your weapon while you're changing weapons or changing a weapon's firing mode.

Jump is usually spacebar, a perfectly good solution, don't see how you can get a much better setup than that - rebinding it to something else might just be for personal comfort. Then there's also the fact that you have two thumb buttons on the MX518 which you don't mention using... It's great that you've never had any trouble with the way you do things, its great, but all I'm saying is that there isn't really an overall advantage to do it that way over a two finger method. Besides, if you start to put too many controls onto the mouse you can seriously hinder it's primary purpose - swift, precise and accurate cursor control - even the most subtle click could throw off a crucial shot.

 

[craftech]

Index finger on center button most of the time because I have it set to Scroll and click for BACK (an amazing setting for browsing). Index finger switches to left mouse button when needed. Middle finger only for right click.

John

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
Not to rain on your parade there, but I don't know of many games where you can (or if you can you might not want to) fire your weapon while you're changing weapons or changing a weapon's firing mode.

Jump is usually spacebar, a perfectly good solution, don't see how you can get a much better setup than that - rebinding it to something else might just be for personal comfort. Then there's also the fact that you have two thumb buttons on the MX518 which you don't mention using... It's great that you've never had any trouble with the way you do things, its great, but all I'm saying is that there isn't really an overall advantage to do it that way over a two finger method. Besides, if you start to put too many controls onto the mouse you can seriously hinder it's primary purpose - swift, precise and accurate cursor control - even the most subtle click could throw off a crucial shot.

I wrote

My thumb rests in the thumb area and uses the forward/back buttons,

So I do use those. Also, I was just pointing out the jump situation because mouse clicks have a faster down/up time than the average keyboard space bar.

The whole point of what I was saying is that with the method I use, my hand never needs to shift, which, I think, actually helps keep my accuracy up. That said, I'm not here to try to convince you to change, I was just explaining, so I'm not sure why it seems like the response is to counter the usefulness of a method.

 

[Steve]

Anyone use a trackball?

Me either.

 

[Tegeril]

Trackballs are soo terrible.

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: Tegeril

Originally posted by: Frintin
Feels totally unnatural to me to use the 3 finger method. I cannot control that third finger well enough to accurately use it on the right click mouse button.

Some people are going to be naturals at it, some with excellent typing skills may use that method too, how about piano players or guitar players?

I played the piano for 10 years, type 90 WPM and use the three finger method.

Seems we have some confirming anecdotal evidence for your theory.

Hmm possibly. I don't play any instruments but I'm a very accurate typer and handle the mouse very well with 3 fingers. It feels very natural.