Mouse vs Keyboard example 1

It's almost embarrassing to write about this ancient (several decades) knowledge, but here it goes. All standard Windows applications recognize a set of keyboard shortcut keys assigned to very frequently used actions, such as Open, Save, Print, Select All, Copy, Cut, Paste, Close, Find, Undo... I won't list them here: just glance at the top of any screen and open the File or Edit menu options to see them.

Watching somebody stubbornly continue to use the mouse to, for example, select/copy/paste via the Edit menu (or even via mouse right-clicks) always saddens me. It may be done very fast and efficiently, and thus be impressive, but soon becomes a grotesque robot-like activity. A more dignified approach is to learn which tools are best in which situations and use them at the right time. But, if you never took the time to learn the alternatives, you fall back on what had been imprinted upon your first encounter with the computer. Almost always, beginners are forced to rely on the mouse, while keyboard techniques are dismissed as arcane, nerdy stuff they are not yet ready for. The result is that the mouse habit becomes so strong that it's impossible to overcome, even when reason dictates otherwise. It simply becomes too late to retrain the mind, which resists unlearning if it can be avoided.

I could be mean and call this minor pathology "rat-addiction", but don't want to offend those who simply are in no hurry and just want to click their lives away without stress and worry. I understand you. I have less understanding for computer professionals whom I see troubleshooting co-workers' PCs without bothering to learn faster ways of doing long, frequent routine operations.

Practical example: Just because something is available by clicking Start, Programs, Accessories, Notepad, does not mean that you have to navigate there using the mouse and your eyes every time. What if the mouse is broken or there is a driver problem? A keyboard is always available and usuall works -- it's hard to imagine any troubleshooting or work activity without one -- so why not learn to reach the above panel using it?

The above navigation can be achieved via: Winkey, P[rograms], A[ccessories], Enter, N[otepad]. Once learned, it's hard to forget and go back to the mouse. Try it and note that you don't even have to look anymore! Of course, items can be moved around and renamed by Microsoft, but nothings stops you from coming up with your own names and moving items where you please.