4 ms·

Ask HN: When do you have to use your mouse?

4 points by codingclaws 5y ago

gjvc 5y ago
All the time, but I long ago tired of moving a hand to the mouse, finding the buttons, and moving back to the keyboard to continue typing, so I bought a keyboard with an integrated TrackPoint and the "switching modes" problem disappeared.
- tucaz 5y ago
  Can you link your keyboard?
  - apfsx 5y ago
    These are the only two that I know of. The first is the Tex Yoda, and the second a Lenovo product. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=515 https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_lis... https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/accessories-and-software/keyboards-and-mice/keyboards/4y40x49493 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/accessories-and-software/keyb...
  - gjvc 5y ago
    I was originally thinking of an IBM RT3200 keyboard, which I bought in 2005 or so, and which has a PS/2 interface. The modern incarnation, which I'm using now is the Lenovo KU-1255, which I have grown to prefer, because I prefer the low-travel, laptop-like keys. Some people call them "chiclet", but I never used the original "chiclet" keyboard, so I can't say. Anyway, the link you want is... https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/pd026745-thinkpad-compact-usb-keyboard-with-trackpoint-overview-and-service-parts https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/pd026745-thinkpad... The other thing about the ThinkPad-inspired keyboards is that the mouse button arrangement reminds me of the "Leap" keys on the Canon Cat, and every so often I wonder what it would be like to use them in that fashion.
tentacleuno 5y ago
I use my mouse quite a bit on Windows. I'm definitely not able to go full-on keyboard, although I do use the mouse substantially less when the code editor (VSCodium FYI) is open.
d4rkp4ttern 5y ago
I use the mouse a lot but always look for ways to use it less. For example I have seen a recent apps that are designed from day one to be “keyboard-first”, I.e they have an extensive set of Kb shortcuts and even a generic Command-K (or similar) that brings up a menu of “actions” to choose from, and shows associated shortcuts for those. Examples: Pycharm’s Cmd-Shift-A, Superhuman’s Cmd-K, Linear’s Cmd-K, etc I have been on the lookout for a pure-keyboard way of creating Google calendar appointments, including adding a zoom invite, but have not found it yet. If someone suggests an app or extension for it, I will be super grateful, and will buy you a virtual coffee :)
streamofdigits 5y ago
Anytime there is need for pixel level precision interaction with the screen you need a mouse. Arrow keys don't cut it by far and finger / touch screens too blunt.
jolmg 5y ago
Image editing. And for buttons that only work via click events.
0x54MUR41 5y ago
I use my mouse when: * Playing a game (it requires keyboard for movement and pointer to pick things) * Editing images

4 points by codingclaws 5y ago

gjvc 5y ago

All the time, but I long ago tired of moving a hand to the mouse, finding the buttons, and moving back to the keyboard to continue typing, so I bought a keyboard with an integrated TrackPoint and the "switching modes" problem disappeared.

tucaz 5y ago
Can you link your keyboard?
- apfsx 5y ago
  These are the only two that I know of. The first is the Tex Yoda, and the second a Lenovo product. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=515 https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_lis... https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/accessories-and-software/keyboards-and-mice/keyboards/4y40x49493 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/accessories-and-software/keyb...
- gjvc 5y ago
  I was originally thinking of an IBM RT3200 keyboard, which I bought in 2005 or so, and which has a PS/2 interface. The modern incarnation, which I'm using now is the Lenovo KU-1255, which I have grown to prefer, because I prefer the low-travel, laptop-like keys. Some people call them "chiclet", but I never used the original "chiclet" keyboard, so I can't say. Anyway, the link you want is... https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/pd026745-thinkpad-compact-usb-keyboard-with-trackpoint-overview-and-service-parts https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/pd026745-thinkpad... The other thing about the ThinkPad-inspired keyboards is that the mouse button arrangement reminds me of the "Leap" keys on the Canon Cat, and every so often I wonder what it would be like to use them in that fashion.

tentacleuno 5y ago

I use my mouse quite a bit on Windows. I'm definitely not able to go full-on keyboard, although I do use the mouse substantially less when the code editor (VSCodium FYI) is open.

d4rkp4ttern 5y ago

I use the mouse a lot but always look for ways to use it less. For example I have seen a recent apps that are designed from day one to be “keyboard-first”, I.e they have an extensive set of Kb shortcuts and even a generic Command-K (or similar) that brings up a menu of “actions” to choose from, and shows associated shortcuts for those. Examples: Pycharm’s Cmd-Shift-A, Superhuman’s Cmd-K, Linear’s Cmd-K, etc I have been on the lookout for a pure-keyboard way of creating Google calendar appointments, including adding a zoom invite, but have not found it yet. If someone suggests an app or extension for it, I will be super grateful, and will buy you a virtual coffee :)

streamofdigits 5y ago

Anytime there is need for pixel level precision interaction with the screen you need a mouse. Arrow keys don't cut it by far and finger / touch screens too blunt.

jolmg 5y ago

Image editing. And for buttons that only work via click events.

0x54MUR41 5y ago

I use my mouse when: * Playing a game (it requires keyboard for movement and pointer to pick things) * Editing images