Why yes, that is a Jinx reference, thank you for noticing! A couple of weeks ago I started this series that is aimed only at noobs unfamiliar with the Mac. I was going to post my first impressions of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, but since I’m working on a few other posts right now I figured I’d save that for later this week after I’ve spent more time with it. Now, down to business for this quasi-instructional post.
If you’re coming from a Windows background, you’re more than familiar with right-clicking on everything from the desktop to check your display options to individual files to check their properties and such. While you can perform a right-click in OS X, it’s not always immediately apparent, especially if you’re using a single-button mouse or a MacBook with a single button on the trackpad. Below, I’ll very quickly explore how to accomplish this in both.
MacBook
Initially I’ll admit I was a bit perplexed after using the MacBook. I could easily plug in a wireless mouse that had both buttons and perform a right-click, but I wasn’t immediately sure of how to do it using the trackpad and the single button underneath it. In order to perform a right-click using the trackpad, place two fingers on the touchpad and then click the button to simulate a right-click. Personally, I don’t find this the most intuitive way to perform a right-click, but it works well enough.
Other Mac With Only a Single Button Mouse
If you’re not using a two-button mouse and need to right-click, hold the command key and then click. This will allow your click to be interpreted the same way as a right-click. Again, I don’t find this very intuitive and highly recommend using a two-button mouse, especially if you’re used to this in Windows. I should point out that this also works on the MacBook if you don’t feel like doing that two-fingers on the pad then click nonsense.
But wait- why aren’t all of my right-clicks detected using my Mighty Mouse?
Ah yes, I almost forgot. The Mighty Mouse is a strange breed in that instead of two tactile-style buttons that are clicked independently on the mouse casing, 
Apple opted to create only a single-button with a touch-sensitive top shell that detects whether your finger is on the left or right half of the mouse. The problem? It’s actually too sensitive in that if you try to perform a right-click and your index finger is touching the left side at all it won’t register the click. This really comes down to a matter of personal preference. I dig the Mighty Mouse on account of it’s style and unique scroller-ball, but I admit it can be irritating having your clicks not register due to a resting index finger.
If you’ve got other options you’d like to configure for your mouse such as sensitivity, scrolling speed, or double-click sensitivity, simply click the Apple icon in the upper-left hand corner of the Menu bar and choose ‘System Preferences’. From here you can choose either ‘Mouse & Keyboard’ or ‘Trackpad’ if you’re on a MacBook.
Hopefully this has been somewhat helpful for a few of you out there. I’d love to post some more, but I’m tired and Nicole is busy toiling away with our notes for the show tomorrow. Goodnight, internet!
Related posts:
