Your First Steps

The NoHands Mouse™ has the functions of a two button mouse. One pedal is for cursor control, the other is for clicks. The function of each pedal is clearly marked. If you are right-handed, try using the cursor pedal with your right foot. This may feel most natural. But you may switch the pedals to either combination that feels comfortable for you.

Using the Cursor Pedal

The cursor pedal is mounted on a base that stays stationary on the floor. The pedal itself pivots on top of the base and will move in any direction you press your foot. This movement will be translated into cursor movement on the screen - you can move the cursor in any direction you desire, even draw circles, just as you can with a desktop mouse. The more firmly you press on the pedal in any direction, the faster the cursor will go. The ideal way to move the pedal is simply to wobble or rotate your ankle joint with a relaxed, natural movement. Practice making all movements as gently and smoothly as possible. If you find yourself using a lot of force, or notice stiffness or pain in your foot or leg, try adjusting your seat and your foot and practice a light touch on the NoHands Mouse™.

The cursor pedal responds to subtle changes in pressure or direction. Unlike a desktop mouse, if you continue to exert pressure in one direction, the cursor will continue to move in that direction until you stop pressing, or until you lift your foot off of the pedal.

Using the Clicks Pedal

The clicks pedal is also mounted on a base that stays stationary on the floor. The pedal itself is hinged on the base and only allows movement in an up and down rocking-like motion from heel to toe. The toe click is equivalent to the left button and the heel click is equivalent to the right button - left (toe) is single-click, right (heel) shows the contextual menu.

Practice making clicks as gently and smoothly as possible. You do not need much force. If you are using excessive force you are not using the device properly.

To use the clicks pedal, place your foot flat on the pedal:

• To produce a single click, press down gently with your toe until you hear the click or see the click action on your screen.
• To double-click, tap your toe twice.
• To drag with the NoHands Mouse™, press down gently with your toe until your hear the click or see the click action on your screen. Keep the toe click depressed as you move the cursor with your other foot. Once the cursor reaches the desired location, release toe pressure on the click pedal. This is, of course, very similar to the way a desktop mouse operates.
• The default action (both Windows and Mac) for the heel click is the display of a contextual menu popup. Your version of the mouse control panel that comes with your system software may allow you to reassign the heel (right-click) to a double-click, or some other action; or to reverse the click actions. There are also free and commercial third party programs that allow you to reassign clicks.