1-7 Let Mouse Button and\or Ctrl Key = Efficient Writing

(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

I think of my computer mouse and the ctrl -- which stands for "control" -- key on my keyboard to magic genies, ready to do my bidding!

Like the touchpad on most portable computers, the mouse has a right button and a left button. Each performs what's known as a command function. By taking full advantage of the ctrl key and\or the right mouse button, I give commands that improve my writing efficiency tremendously.

Computer operating systems commonly support a command function that provides pretty much the same command functions as the right mouse button. Windows 95 and all later versions command the ctrl key -- sending a genie into action when the ctrl key is pressed simultaneously with another key --  similar to the way pressing the right mouse button works.

Consult your operating system and software help files to see if there is a command function to help you work more efficiently. Eudora Pro, my prefered e-mail program, also supports ctrl key function.

Using the command fuctions (below) and the right mouse button method allows me to use both hands interchangeably, to double my flexibility.

Here are the commands operated by the ctrl key:
Ctrl while rolling your mouse over a line (or picture) highlights it.

• ctrl c = COPY, whatever is highlighted
• ctrl v = PASTE, whatever you have copied.
• ctrl f = SEARCH, opens a box with a line where you type the number, symbol, letter, word or words you want to find quickly.
• ctrl a = HIGHLIGHTS, the entire open file. Highlighted material can then be copied, deleted or moved to somewhere else within the document.

If you accidentally delete something (and you will!) ctrl v will paste back the copy that was deleted! IF ctrl v does not, then use ctrl z, which undoes the previous action.

• ctrl z = UNDO, last typing (ie: like if you've deleted something and decide you want it back, pressing ctrl z will return it to its previous place.)
• ctrl o = OPENS, Offers you a box showing all the files in your computer from which you can choose the one you want to open.)
• ctrl p = PRINT, the file (message) that is currently open.
• ctrl s = SAVES, the current message, and keeps it open so you can continue typing into it.
• ctrl q = QUITS, a program (exits the program and the message will be gone, gone, gone, as in erased and gone forever! It's as final as putting your mouse pointer on the little "x" in the top corner to EXIT.

DO NOT QUIT or EXIT documents you've written without first using ctrl s to save, or ctrl w to close and save the current message you're typing, or ctrl e to send it.

• ctrl w = CLOSE, messages, mailboxes, documents, and some programs, such as Internet Explorer, etc.
• ctrl e = SEND, messages. (Send is immediate IF you are connected on-line, otherwise you'll get a 'can't send' message.)
• ctrl d = DUMP, messages into your trash mailbox.
• ctrl l = OPEN ADDRESS BOOK
• ctrl k = COPY, highlighted message sender's ADDRESS INTO ADDRESS BOOK
• ctrl 6 = will start a spell-check on words in the open message. (you chose what you want to do about them and cancel out of the spell-checker at anytime.)
• ctrl works with your 'home', 'PgUp', 'PgDn', and 'end' keys, too. They are useful ways to speed moving around in the open file and can save you lots of time.
• Ctrl tab = toggle between open pages.
• Ctrl p, to print and save this so you can refer to it anytime!

End

Next: 1-8, Let One Idea = Endless Writing: http://tinyurl.com/29ukqp8

Chapter 1: http://tinyurl.com/2es3w63