The computer mouse is great. The ability to point and click on commands to the computer revolutionized computer use back in the early 1990’s.  It made it easy for many users to see commands and use them.

However relying on the mouse to do everything, is a trap. It wastes time and is inefficient.   It slows you down when you are writing. Using the mouse for everything you do on a computer can be annoying after awhile. It’s much better to learn a few keystrokes so you are free of the mouse.

Though the mouse seems easy to use, there are multiple steps that are required.

For instance, if you decide you want to move a piece of text, it will take these steps:

1. put your hand on the mouse
2. select your text
3. move the mouse to the Edit menu
4. wait for it to open
5. scroll down
6. click on Cut
7. move mouse to place in you document where you want to move the text
8. go to Edit menu
9. wait for it to open
10. scroll down
11. click on Paste

All this requires accurate pointing with a mouse. I’ve seen people – particularly those with shaky hands – have trouble with this. Compare the list above with the step required when using keystrokes:

1. click to select your text
2. hold down the command-x  keys (control-x for Windows)
3. move cursor to where you want the text to go
4. hold down the command-v keys. (control-x for Windows)

Voila! Much faster and once mastered really much easier.

Some things to know

Keystrokes are always combinations. The first key you hold down while you tap the second key. I usually use my thumb for the first key.

Both Windows and Mac computers use the same second key. However for the first key Windows  computers use the Control key and Mac computers use the command key. You find these keys to the left and right of the space bar.

There are many, many keystrokes that will help you. Learn a few a week and in two months you will be flying along looking like a power user! I promise.

For this week, learn to use these three basic commands. Note that they are right next to each other on the keyboard.

• CUT: command-x/control-x
• COPY: command-c/control-c
• PASTE: command-v/control-v

In the next Gentle Byte,  I’ll teach you a few more that I use every day.

What else do you want to know? Where do you stumble? Tell me in the comments below.