# Scroll Mouse Wheel with index or middle finger **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 5, 2004, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693 "2004-03-05T13:57:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/21 "2004-03-05T23:46:19Z")
Middle finger. I also have a scroll button on my touch-pad. However, I rarely use either. I’m so used to using the arrows keys for scrolling that using a mouse wheel doesn’t feel right to me ---
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/22 "2004-03-06T01:53:25Z")
It suddenly occurs to me that my mouse is poorly designed as are most mice I have used. Middle finger would be logical. But if I hold the mouse in a coufortable position the scroll whell lies just below the knuckle on the middle finger. It needs to be a whole lot further forward. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/23 "2004-03-06T01:58:01Z")
I scroll with my middle finger. That way, my index finger is poised and ready to go on the clicker! ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/24 "2004-03-06T02:52:00Z")
My arrangement of fingers is thusly: Thumb: on side thumb button Index finger: on left button Middle finger: on scroll wheel/button Ring finger: right button Pinky: anchoring the mouse on the side. (There’s a small indentation there, perfect for my little finger.) (I use an iFeel Mouseman by Logitech: found it at a BigLots! for $10. Best $10 I’ve spent on computer-related stuff.) * * * \<\< No one is listening until you fart. \>\> ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/25 "2004-03-06T03:28:45Z")
Depending on my mood, it’s my ring finger (most of the time) or my middle finger; only very rarely do I use my index finger for scrolling. Actually I think it’s time to get off the computer now. My ring finger is starting to ache from the scrolling. ---
**Author:** ![MadnessIsAVirtue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MadnessIsAVirtue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadnessIsAVirtue)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/26 "2004-03-06T03:37:51Z")
I’ve always used my middle finger to scroll. I keep my index finger on the left click so I can click stuff and not have to switch fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Call\_me\_Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Call\_me\_Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Call_me_Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/27 "2004-03-06T03:52:05Z")
I always use my index finger… Probably just because it was natural for me to do that, but I also right-click a lot… not as much as I left-click, mind you…but enough that it would be equally as ‘annoying’ to switch fingers around. The reason I right-click more than I think the average computer user is that I don’t surf the web w/just one window. I’ll open up one and then open new pages in different windows…my connection is terrible and I have enough RAM that it works out… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/28 "2004-03-06T03:55:32Z")
Wow. I feel strange now. I left click with my index finger and use my middle finger for scrolling and right clicking. Perfect for Unreal Tournament. ---
**Author:** ![Meros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Meros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meros)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/29 "2004-03-06T04:03:56Z")
Scroll-wheel with the index finger, right click with the middle. Unless I’m using a Sun style 3 button mouse like I do at work then it’s Index, Middle, Ring, across the buttons. ---
**Author:** ![gyt\_fx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/30 "2004-03-06T04:13:02Z")
Middle Finger My most used finger 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/31 "2004-03-06T04:33:44Z")
Left-click and scroll with index finger, right-click with middle finger. Logitech builds their mice too damn small, it’s descriminatory and I’m contemplating a class-action suit against them. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mamapotomus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@Mamapotomus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mamapotomus)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/32 "2004-03-06T05:03:19Z")
Middle finger. I use a scroll wheel mouse at the office, and when I get home I find myself stroking my (wheel-less) Apple mouse in an odd manner while surfing. ---
**Author:** ![BrattiAtti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@BrattiAtti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrattiAtti)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/33 "2004-03-06T07:17:35Z")
I use my middle finger. It’s had more practice at the up and down motion. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/34 "2004-03-06T07:19:11Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > Do you prefer scrolling your mouse wheel with your index or middle finger? > > I have always used my index finger but I suspect I am getting RSI from all the scrolling I do and I am trying to switch to middle. The Bird Declan ---
**Author:** ![jastu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jastu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jastu)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/35 "2004-03-06T07:50:11Z")
Index finger to left click and scroll, middle finger to right click. Though it does make more sense to use index for left, middle to scroll, ring to right click. I’m wondering if more men do it this way, while women use their index? ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/36 "2004-03-06T14:36:24Z")
Middle finger. Unless I’m smoking, in which case I use my ring finger, as my middle and index fingers are involved in holding the cigarette. Mouses (mice?) with no scroll wheel drive me nuts. My boyfriend’s mouse has one, and my mouse at work has one, but mine at home does not, and I’m constantly _trying_ to use it and failing. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/37 "2004-03-06T19:47:27Z")
left click with index wheel and right click with middle it’s that simple ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/38 "2004-03-06T20:04:55Z")
im another for both and computers without scroll wheels do annoy me, especially when you are expecting a scroll wheel and roll to find nothing is happening, the other great thing about scroll wheels is the “Open Link in New Tab” usage with [Firefox](http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox) ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/39 "2004-03-06T20:24:51Z")
The only thing worse than a mouse without a scroll wheel is a browser that doesn’t make use of it. Mozilla, I’m looking at you. ---
**Author:** ![\_ceQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b9bd4f/32.png) [@\_ceQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_ceQueen)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693/40 "2004-03-06T21:04:41Z")
Middle. Always. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scroll-mouse-wheel-with-index-or-middle-finger/232693.md?page=3)