Networking for Today

you use a computer a lot, then you’re like me and probably have your hand on your mouse all day long. Click, click, click, drag, drop, click, and click all day long. God forbid if your mouse (and/or touch pad) stops working. Then what? Now what do I do? Well, believe it or not, but everything you do with your mouse can be done with the keyboard.

Most computer users know they can use their keyboard instead of the mouse but they’re not exactly sure what short-cut keystrokes do what. So, let me give you a list of the most common keyboard short-cuts and explain what each does. You’ll be amazed at how little time it’ll take you to start getting use to using the keyboard short-cuts over clicking on a menu item with the mouse. There are three keys on the keyboard that are used specifically for keyboard short-cuts. These are the “Ctrl” (Control), “Alt” (Alternate) and “Shift” (For Capital Letters). All three should be available on either side of your keyboard.

The Basics – CUT COPY PASTE

Every computer user should know how to CUT, COPY and PASTE. This is the ability to move or duplicate anything...text, images, whatever, from one spot or program to another. Typically a user will select an item, right mouse click to display a short-cut menu, and then choose to Copy or Paste. The same can be done with the keyboard. With the item selected, press either “Ctrl” plus “X” to CUT (Move) or “Ctrl” plus “C” to COPY. Once you’ve CUT or COPY then place your cursor in the receiving location and press “Ctrl” plus “V” for PASTE. Just as a note, when pressing multiple key combinations, always press the “Ctrl,” “Alt” or “Shift” key first, hold it down then press the second key. That’s it! Simple! If you’re copying the same information in multiple spots you don’t have to repeat the CUT or COPY step, just repeat the PASTE step in each new location.