# Problem children / punch list for fixes / TIPS AND TRICKS **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044 "2020-06-22T01:21:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/470 "2021-03-04T04:39:27Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > It really does suck that you can’t use the standard scrollwheel for scrolling. It is so common these days that it is the way software designers expect you to scroll\*. While they’ll keep the other ways if they can, it is a truism in software development that you can’t accommodate everyone. I find the scroll wheel ergonomically awkward. I try not to use it too much when I’m using a mouse. I’m pretty sure it’s not good for me. > [@BigT](#): > > \*On standard mice. If you use a touchpad or touch screen, then they expect you to use gestures, like swiping. And, by preference, i mostly use a touchpad. Swiping is dandy. The only time i have trouble scrolling in this software is when i don’t open the window wide enough for the second scrollbar to be visible. I like to keep my windows small, and you need to leave a LOT of white space on the screen to get the Discourse scrollbar to show. So i often realize that I’ve lost it (from resizing my windows). But if i need it, it’s not too hard to get back. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/471 "2021-03-04T06:12:10Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I find the scroll wheel ergonomically awkward. I try not to use it too much when I’m using a mouse. I’m pretty sure it’s not good for me. If it’s ergonomically awkward and not good for you, then you may be using a mouse unsuitable for your hand, or using it in awkward position. If the mouse is too small for your hand, your fingers may be in an awkward position to both click and scroll comfortably. The mini laptop mice you sometimes get are too small for anyone. The most comfortable mouse (for me) that I’ve ever found is [this one](https://www.gigabyte.com/za/Mouse/M6800-V2#kf), which is pretty large (5 inches, 127mm), even though I don’t have large hands: [![](https://i.ibb.co/Kj9RVLs/500.png) ](https://i.ibb.co/Kj9RVLs/500.png) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/472 "2021-03-04T13:18:08Z")
I’m happy using a touchpad for 95% of my laptop navigation. “Does it have a good touchpad?” Is one of my buying criteria, along with an adequate keyboard. I’m left handed, and use a mouse in my left hand, which somewhat limits my buying options. I actually have a nice ambidextrous gaming mouse that i like. But my wrists are happier if i avoid using the scroll wheel too much. And I’ve developed excellent proficiency with a touchpad. Other than gaming, i never miss the mouse. In fact, at the office, where i used a docking station, i bought a touchpad accessory so i didn’t need to use the mouse, because I’d been developing some twinges from the mouse. (I can’t use the erasor-head pointing device some laptops come with, for the same reason. Shame, because they have terrific functionality for most of what i do.) Lots of desk jockeys develop issues with mice over the years. Half my co-workers over 35 use something other than a standard mouse. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/473 "2021-03-04T13:37:56Z")
Doesn’t scrolling with two fingers on a touchpad work for you? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/474 "2021-03-04T19:37:05Z")
Sure. I have no problems scrolling in discourse. I was just trying to suggest that it may be the hand, not the mouse, that makes using the scroll wheel uncomfortable. (And if I’m scrolling far, i use the little scroll bar on the laptop, or the “jump to” functionality on my phone.) ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/codinghorror/32/4242_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/475 "2021-03-04T20:28:30Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I like to keep my windows small I do too! I run my windows side by side and I am continually shocked by the people who do that weird “maximize one browser across an enormous monitor” thing … and sooo many people do it! Not me though. I run triple monitors (when I am at my desk) and it looks like this… technically this is my old office circa 2007: [![](https://blog.codinghorror.com/content/images/uploads/2007/09/6a0120a85dcdae970b0128777029f0970c-pi.jpg) ](https://blog.codinghorror.com/content/images/uploads/2007/09/6a0120a85dcdae970b0128777029f0970c-pi.jpg) (Imagine a browser window on each side of each monitor, so 1/2, 3/4, 5/6) I also find a good touchpad with two and three finger scroll is excellent! You can get add-on touchpads for use with PC as well, if you are a huge touchpad fan I’d do that. > **[The best trackpads in January 2024](https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-trackpads)** > > The best trackpads let you tap and slide through documents and websites with ergonomic ease. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/476 "2021-03-04T22:39:47Z")
Ooh, nice set up! Yeah, mostly i use laptops that come with touchpads, but i did use an add on one when i went to the physical office. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/codinghorror/32/4242_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/477 "2021-03-04T23:21:38Z")
The absolute worst is this… I did it just as a treat for you @puzzlegal 🤣 … browser maximized across all 3️⃣ monitors 🖥🖥🖥 [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/rzCcnXn.png "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/rzCcnXn) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/478 "2021-03-05T14:22:05Z")
I would “like” this post if that option were available. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/479 "2021-03-05T15:01:30Z")
My lefty wife uses a pen on the touch screen but she also has a trackball mouse which she finds easier than a trad mouse. [Logitech TrackMan Marble, Wired Trackball Mouse, 300 DPI Marble Optical Tracking, Ambidextrous, USB, PC / Mac / Laptop: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-2226127-USB-Marble-Mouse/dp/B001DQY9AW/ref=asc_df_B001DQY9AW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310665672682&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6251164695071869140&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007011&hvtargid=pla-563547746531&psc=1) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/480 "2021-03-23T03:25:36Z")
I don’t know exactly where to put this (and it certainly doesn’t merit a new thread) but I noticed that recently Discourse has started formatting double-dashes as hyphens, so thanks for that. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/481 "2021-03-23T04:59:42Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Discourse has started formatting double-dashes as hyphens, so thanks for that. I’m confused both about why Discourse does that and why you’re glad about it. If I want a hyphen, I’ll type a hyphen. If I type a double dash, it’s because I wanted a double dash. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/482 "2021-03-23T05:04:38Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I’m confused both about why Discourse does that and why you’re glad about it. If I want a hyphen, I’ll type a hyphen. If I type a double dash, it’s because I wanted a double dash. Why it would have it: It has been a standard feature of word processor auto-correct for decades. Why I want it: easier to type. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/483 "2021-03-23T05:07:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Discourse has started formatting double-dashes as hyphens Did you mean it’s formating double-hyphens as dashes, like Word does? Testing-testing–yep. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/codinghorror/32/4242_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/484 "2021-03-23T06:10:59Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Discourse has started formatting double-dashes as hyphens, so thanks for that. Well, there’s more… try `->` and `(tm)` and of course `"this"` and `y'all` ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/485 "2021-03-23T11:25:41Z")
Okay: → Vfgbc™ eta: very nice! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/486 "2021-03-23T15:57:20Z")
“this” y’all this huh? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/487 "2021-03-23T17:30:26Z")
Smart quotes and apostrophes - it’s replacing the straight quote/apostrophe with the nice curvy ones. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/488 "2021-03-23T17:32:03Z")
Oh. Thanks. I’ve never been able to figure out why one is considered preferable to the other. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/codinghorror/32/4242_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044/489 "2021-03-23T21:13:38Z")
Well, here’s why: 🧐 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044.md?page=25)