Mouse on the left side?

[Pretendo]

I've been toying around with this configuration lately.  It seems like a much better setup if one can get used to using the mouse with the left hand. Here's some advantages:

-Alphanumeric keys are now centered on desk, instead of being pushed all the way to the left.  Much more comfortable considering both hands use these keys!
-Mouse much closer to a hand (even closer than tenkeyless due to lack of arrow keys.)  
-Right hand can be use arrows and numpad while left hand uses mouse. Useful for data entry, especially in places where tab key doesn't work.
-If you're right handed, allows you to write, drink coffee, etc... while using mouse.
-Less people ask to use your computer

The problem, of course, is the learning curve.  I'm left handed, but I'm so accustomed to using a mouse right handed that it still feels weird.  Also, you need a mouse that isn't designed for the right hand.

[iindigo]

I tried it a couple days ago and quickly changed back. It certainly has its advantages, but it was really awkward and highlighted how astonishingly untrained my left hand is.

[Mazora]

you could also buy a left handed keyboard

[Pretendo]

you could also buy a left handed keyboard

Yes, this would be ideal.  If only they were easier to find...

[Arc'xer]

you could also buy a left handed keyboard

 
But they aren't really left handed. They just move the numerical pad, arrows, and functions to the other side and call it so. But if they mirrored the layout to the other side then it would truly be a left handed keyboard. Something along the lines of what this person wanted in a keyboard.

[fohat.digs]

I made the switch a few months ago and I love it.

Background - I am over 50 years old (old dog /=/ new tricks, etc) so learning curves are a huge thing for me. Also, I am totally right-hand-dominant, and my left hand is helpless. For example, last Saturday I was throwing a baseball with my son and suggested doing it left-handed as a drill, and I was astonished at how clumsy I was.

A few months ago I saw a post that suggested that even right-handed people should use the left mouse, because you can write and do other things with the right hand while mousing with the left.

It was like a light bulb went off in my head and I smacked my forehead and thought "of course, why didn't I think of that years ago?"

It was excruciating for a few days, difficult for a few weeks, but I fell into the groove easier than I thought. Considering that I trained my right hand for decades, this is pretty quick. Within a year it should feel like the natural way.

I strongly recommend the  left mouse position for right-handed people.

[Pretendo]

I made the switch a few months ago and I love it.

Background - I am over 50 years old (old dog /=/ new tricks, etc) so learning curves are a huge thing for me. Also, I am totally right-hand-dominant, and my left hand is helpless. For example, last Saturday I was throwing a baseball with my son and suggested doing it left-handed as a drill, and I was astonished at how clumsy I was.

A few months ago I saw a post that suggested that even right-handed people should use the left mouse, because you can write and do other things with the right hand while mousing with the left.

It was like a light bulb went off in my head and I though "of course, why didn't I think of this years ago?"

It was excruciating for a few days, difficult for a few weeks, but I fell into the groove easier than I thought. Considering that I trained my right hand for decades, this is pretty quick.

I strongly recommend the  left mouse position for right-handed people.

Not just right handed people though, it works better overall.  It just seems silly to have the keyboard all the way to the left, while the numpad gets center stage.

[Playtrumpet]

I think I might try this. My desk setup really doesn't allow for me to be completely aligned while using my mouse with my right hand. Mostly due to this big-ass Das Keyboard. But I'm a lefty, and it would help to reduce my use of my laptop's mousepad.

Anyway, I think I'll try this.

e. Important to note I think - I use my left hand whilst using my mousepad but my right hand for regular mice (I'm a right-dominant lefty.. doesn't make sense to me either).

[aynjell]

I'm left handed. I made the switch and am very fond of the setup.

The disadvantages seems to be mostly related to copy paste shortcuts, and games where you can't remap keys quite so well.

[Mercen_505]

I've had this configuration for 20+ years, but I'm left handed so it works out well. Gaming is great because my right hand is in line to hit the arrow keys, and I can map useful functions to the CTRL/ALT/SHIFT cluster to the left, or the numpad to the right. If I need more, I can always map some stuff to del/end/pgdn.

[fohat.digs]

Right-handed folk, seriously, you need to think this through.

Like your knife/fork at the dinner table, what is the need for "Gross Motor Skills" vs "Fine Motor Skills" really?

Left mouse is not just for lefties anymore.

Give it 2 weeks.

You may thank me.

[Mazora]

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[Pretendo]

Right-handed folk, seriously, you need to think this through.

Like your knife/fork at the dinner table, what is the need for "Gross Motor Skills" vs "Fine Motor Skills" really?

Left mouse is not just for lefties anymore.

Give it 2 weeks.

You may thank me.

Tell it!  At this point I've completely switched over to lefty-mouse format and haven't looked back.  Just works so much better.