Here’s the reason, courtesy of a concept drawing from Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, where the graphical user interface was invented, and where Steve Jobs was introduced to the concept that was to lead to the Macintosh. 8BitFuture writes:
When the graphical user interface was later developed by Xerox, however, the team found that the vertical pointer was almost impossible to see due to the low resolution displays in use at the time.
Rather than make the pointer larger, the decision was made to turn it 45 degrees, making it easy to see. Despite the high resolution displays we have today, the concept has managed to stick for 33 years.
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That’s interesting. I’d also say it works given that most people are right handed and with the mouse on the right it makes sense. If I remember correctly, you can flip it in the opposite direction in XP.
the same there ;)
Hello,
i’m a left hand user ! And i use my mouse a the left two.
You have added a way to switch left and right mouse button.
But what about the cursors ? Why didn’t you give us the possibility of having a vertical mirror version ?
^
/
is better for a left hand user than
^
\
Before some app give us this ability. Now it’s over ;(
It could be useful even using the trackpad…
Very interesting, thanks!
That’s awesome. Looking back to the origins of what we do everyday is always interesting.
Yes, I love that kind of “Oh, that’s why it’s like that” kind of stuff!
Profit margins would be to low.
> Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, where the graphical user interface was invented
No! Vannevar Bush invented the GUI in 1945. Engelbart built a working GUI prototype in 1968. PARC’s creations were amazing but let’s not forget the shoulders of giants they stood upon.