Trying to eradicate or greatly reduce computer mouse use

Molly4

Good Morning
Hopefully I am on the correct forum for this advice. If I am not I apologise.
I am looking for a way to eradicate the use of my computer mouse completely or reduce the use immensely.

I want to do this for health reasons. I know this is not really a money saving question but if accomplished it will save time and physically energy which could amount to money saving.

I have a laptop computer using Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge as my browser but I do sometimes use other browsers. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse attached so I use the whole set up like a desktop computer. The laptop does have touch screen which I do use when I move the laptop for use.

I use the computer every day sometimes for several hours and navigating around the various screens using the mouse is causing me problems now that I am experiencing other major health issues.

I have looked at various computer shortcut lists but find them a mind field trying to work out what I want to do and whether their terminology matches my understanding.

If I explain the basics of how I use my computer then perhaps you will be able to advise how to do this without using the mouse if possible.

I primarily use Microsoft Edge as my browser and have several tabs to different web pages open at the same time, one being my email and another MSE. I use MSE's Competition forum daily. I need to be able to move back and forth through, the tabs, also I need to navigate from the tab I am using into the body of the window and back again. Once in the body of the window I need to navigate around, click on links which can open up in the same window or as a new window. I then need to sign in which I use Norton Password Manager for and which is held as a Edge extension and I need to fill in forms in the window which I mostly use RoboForm for which is also an Edge extension.

So to carry out the above at present I would click on the Tab I need, then click in the body of the open tab, scroll through the competitions (which are held in individual boxes) I want to enter. Click on the competition title link which then opens up a new page in the same window. Clink on the entry link within that page. Once on the site offering the competition I have to fill in login details and entry forms with my personal details, so I have to click back and forther between the page and the tool bar to operate Norton and Roboform, click or unclick boxes and then sometimes completing a pop up box for example captcha before pressing submit.

I know I can use the Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, the Arrow Keys, Backspace, Enter and Tab buttons to do some navigating around. Sometimes the buttons do not work and I have to resort to doing all actions with the mouse including clicking back and forth to the tab bars, then back into the web page dispalyed.

I hope I have not confused you too much and look forward to your advice and help.

Regards

JJ_Egan

Windows on screen keyboard .
https://www.howtogeek.com/240288/how-to-use-the-on-screen-keyboard-on-windows-7-8-and-10/

dan958

Navigating without a mouse will never feel as perfect and quick than with a mouse. Have you tried looking at those big ball mouses (the one with the ball on top that you roll with your hand) I know that plenty of people with disabilities or health issues such as carpal tunnel use these.

I am not sure of your health issues, but you can also try making use you have the best mouse for you. There are so many different styles and you may find others that are more ergonomic for you.

I also know that you can use eye tracking. I've seen people use the Tobii eye tracker as a mouse replacement, but I don't have a clue how accurate this would be for day-to-day use .

Heedtheadvice

Not answering your question directly......


Don't wish to pry into your personal health state but if your problem is musculoskeletol i.e. lack of movement or pain in upper body not caused by other underlying conditions then it could be due to overuse of the mouse or incorrect posture/positioning.

It is likely that you can change positioning, seat/mouse/keyboard/display postions etc. to help;
Ensure you have plenty of breaks to get other movement into the body;
Do excercises to help reduce pain or lack of movement, these are depicted on the nhs msk web site.


If this is work related then a computer use assessment shoukd be carried out (it used to be called, probably incorrectly, a Display Screen Risk Assessment but covers several apsect of such working. It can prevent or reduce problems.


P.m. me if you wish to know more.

stragglebod

CTRL-TAB to switch between tabs. TAB to move between clickable items within a tab - though on a busy site like MSE that'll probably involve a lot of key presses.


What about getting a touch screen monitor or using a big tablet rather than a desktop/laptop?


TBH if there's no health reasons then it may be worth knowing that the mouse was developed because keyboard only navigation was too slow and difficult.

roddydogs

Try using your left hand, youll soon get used to it. I get RSI if I use my RH.
But now Ive got a tablet I hardly use the PC.

alanwsg

After trashing the tendons in my wrist, I've always used a trackball which I find much easier on the arm. Also, you don't need a flat surface to move it around on. Unfortunately, they only come right-handed.

One of these ....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LOGITECH-WIRELESS-TRACKBALL-LASER-TRACK-CORDLESS-MOUSE-M570-MAC-WINDOWS/401471367616?hash=item5d798ee9c0:g:MZMAAOSwY3daT44Z

Andy_L

Eye tracking hardware

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4043921/windows-10-get-started-eye-control

ETA there's also the voice command options as well
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4027176/windows-10-use-voice-recognition

psychic_teabag

dan958 wrote: »

Navigating without a mouse will never feel as perfect and quick than with a mouse. Have you tried looking at those big ball mouses (the one with the ball on top that you roll with your hand) I know that plenty of people with disabilities or health issues such as carpal tunnel use these.

I did have some concerns over RSI when I was using a mouse, so I invested in a "Trackman Wheel" many years ago, and I much prefer it. (Unfortunatey, the buttons are wearing out, so I might have to finally replace it.)

(Also got one of those ergonomic keyboards, but it's since been abandoned to a high shelf behind me.)

Molly4

Thank you all for your advice.

I am right handed. I am going through chemotherapy at present and all treatments have to be carried out on my right hand and arm. This has caused fluid build up in my lower arm caused by the veins leaking. I have pain in my right forefinger and ball of my hand probably from using the mouse incorrectly and I often end up resting the heel of my hand on the mouse mat and table which also causes discomfort.

I know there are different types of mouse I could use and there are also keyboards with a mouse feature incorporated. I thought I would try keyboard shortcuts first before I invest in new hardware.

[Deleted User]

molly57. wrote: »

Thank you all for your advice.

I am right handed. I am going through chemotherapy at present and all treatments have to be carried out on my right hand and arm. This has caused fluid build up in my lower arm caused by the veins leaking. I have pain in my right forefinger and ball of my hand probably from using the mouse incorrectly and I often end up resting the heel of my hand on the mouse mat and table which also causes discomfort.

I know there are different types of mouse I could use and there are also keyboards with a mouse feature incorporated. I thought I would try keyboard shortcuts first before I invest in new hardware.

If you do decide on a trackball then I've used the following for 3 years and find it excellent (from choice rather than need)

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019MSWB7K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good luck with the chemo.