In 1963, Dr. Douglas Engelbart of the Stanford Research Institute developed the first prototype of a computer pointing device which could allow a user to navigate on a computer screen without the use of a keyboard.  This new invention was quickly dubbed "mouse" because of the tail-like wire that protruded from it.
 
Since then, the mouse has quickly become almost a necessity when dealing with any computer running a modern operating system, such as Microsoft Windows®. 
 
In the RV business however, the mouse occasionally becomes troublesome for non-windows users when upgrading from an older DOS-based dealership software system to a modern Windows®-based one.   This transition is typically toughest in the parts and service departments because many employees were trained years ago on computer systems requiring little or no mouse movement. 
 
If you are one of those people that don't consider the mouse to be an improvement, don't get discouraged.  Microsoft didn't forget about mouse-haters everywhere and has built in a variety of keyboard commands that allow non-mouse users to do practically everything that their mouse wielding co-workers can.
 
Sometimes there are programs which do not have keyboard hot keys and a user must resort to emulating mouse movements by using the directional pad on your keyboard.  To do this, you have to activate your mouse alternative by pressing three keys at once, the "Alt", the left "Shift" key, and the "Num Lock" key all at the same time.  To deactivate this just press the same button combination again. 
While browsing with your keyboard mouse buttons, you can hold down the "Ctrl" button to speed up the cursor movement or press the "Shift" button to slow it down for precise clicking.  To emulate a left click, push the "5" button and to right-click, hold down the "*" button and push "5."
 
To navigate on an internet page or fields within a program, the "Tab" button will typically allow you to change the focus of the cursor to the next available field and by pushing "Shift" + "Tab" it will cycle through in reverse the order.  The "Enter" button will push the default button on the page such as "Submit." 
 
Also, many programs designed in Windows® have menu bars that have an underlined letter (example: File)  on the menu.  This underline defines the Alt-shortcut character which can be pushed along with the "Alt" button to open the menu or make the section. 
 
On most keyboards designed for Windows®, there is a "Windows" button on the bottom left and/or right of the keyboard.  By using a variety of character combinations and the "Windows" key it will provide a shortcut to many commonly used Windows® functions.  To launch "My Computer," push "Windows" and "E."  To open the Search dialog box, push "Windows" + "F". 
 
Another helpful keyboard command is "Alt" + "F4".  This function works by closing out programs or unwanted pop-up windows and can also be used to shut down Windows® itself if no programs are open.
 
Keep in mind there are many more commands out there for keyboard power users but these handful of commands should be a good starting point to begin navigating through Windows® without the use of a mouse. 
 
If you don't want to use keyboard short cuts and have an acute aversion to having a rodent in your hand, there are alternative pointing devices, such as a track ball, glide pad, or a touch screen monitor.
 
The technology has evolved to help mouse-haters everywhere exterminate their rodent problem without those messy poisons.

Click here for a quick reference list to print out of common Microsoft Windows® keyboard shortcuts.
 
P.S. Even if you do like using a mouse on a daily basis, these tips can be especially useful if any mouse difficulties ever arise.