A mouse pointer is a visible indicator on a computer screen that can be moved by the user. It can be shaped like an arrow, hand, or other shapes depending on its function. Users can customize their mouse pointer settings and download different ones.
A mouse pointer, or cursor, is a visible indicator displayed on a computer screen. By moving the mouse, the computer user can move the mouse pointer around the screen. The position of the mouse pointer on the screen can determine how and where the user can press a mouse button to enter text or execute a command.
The default mouse pointer on a computer is usually shaped like an arrow or a hand. The arrow often points to the top of the screen and is tilted slightly to the left. Graphical user interfaces use arrows to indicate the location of the mouse on the display screen and a line-like pointer to show where text can be entered. Text user interfaces such as Linux and MS-DOS may use a rectangle in place of arrows or hands.
Since the mouse is manipulated by a user, the mouse pointer will move around the screen in a similar way. When a mouse pointer is positioned over a place where text can be entered, the pointer may flash as it anticipates typing. If a user wishes to disable the blinking cursor, he or she may be able to change the cursor settings, including visibility and blink rate, depending on the interface.
Cursors often change the way they appear on a screen due to the way they are used and manipulated. For example, when selecting or editing text, users may find their cursor look like an I-beam. In some documents, users may encounter hand cursors that appear to have all fingers extended; in some types of documents, users may be able to press the mouse button and find that the responding pointer appears to “grab” the document page or an object within it. When using graphics editing software, the user may notice that the cursor changes to correlate with the specific function they are using; a pencil pointer can accompany the program’s pencil function, for example.
Resizing objects on a computer screen can generate a pointer that looks like a double arrow. The double arrow can point horizontally, vertically or diagonally, depending on how the user wants to resize the object. An hourglass may appear when a computer is busy executing a process that cannot be stopped with input. When a user finds a link on the Internet, the cursor may turn into a hand with an index finger pointing to the link.
Users are not limited to using default mouse pointers on computer screens. If they choose to use different pointers, the settings can be changed in their control panels to reflect their preferences. Also, it may be possible to download different mouse pointers.
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