Ask HN: How do you hold/use your mouse?

4 points·kioshix··4 comments

I'm curious, do you move your index finger back and forth between the primary button (left button for most) and the middle button/scroll-wheel, keeping your middle finger stationary on the secondary/right button?

Or do you keep your index finger on the primary, middle finger on the scroll-wheel, and ring finger on the secondary?

Or none of the above?

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I have seen people make their own mouse and the hand rests on it with the finger pointing like the hand of god in the Michelangelo painting. You can't buy one from what I've looked for. I'd like an easy reach 3-button mouse, 5-button available to all fingers. The scroll-wheel as a middle mouse button is a wobbly uncertain disaster all of the time for me.

+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo

+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_of_Adam#/media/Fi...

Right hand index finger for the left button, middle finger on the right button, and I do a lot of right clicks. I've tried using the wheel with the middle finger but it doesn't work well for me. I scroll often, but never use the wheel as a button.

I also tried using the wheel with the middle finger, after seeing someone else using their mouse like that. But it felt very wrong to me, so I got curious how common this "other" way was.

I never use the scroll wheel to 'press' as it hurts my muscles to do that. I do use the scrollwheel heavily though. I own several 'mice' which mitigates wear (I spread the wear across all devices). It's worth experimenting with different mice and find one that suits you. I have basic mice, gaming mice, and both wired and wireless. I prefer wireless as it minimizes drag. The drag is subtle, but it's there, and you will notice it.

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