Apple Mac users: how does one selectively edit text using the Apple keyboard and mouse?

[brentspeak]

I'm still trying to get used to my Apple Powerbook.

On a Windows keyboard, to select non-sequential text, one holds the "ctrl" key while highlighting non-sequential text with the mouse. But how does one do that under Apple OS X?

Also, how does one perform a "right-click" function using the Apple Pro Mouse? It only has one button. I'd prefer not having to go up to the toolbar to choose "copy" or "paste".

:shrug:

[ghostsofgiants]

1. I don't use a Mac but I think there's a "Command" button or something like that?

I think Command-click is similar to a right click, but I could be wrong.

Never did understand that whole one-button mouse thing.

[ZombieNixon]

2. Right-click is usually control-click.

And, is your mouse a Apple Pro Mouse or the Wireless mouse? (The Apple Pro has a clear layer on top and a wire, the Wireless is all white with a little ball in the center front and, naturally, has no wire). The Wireless mouse actually does have a right-click even though it doesn't look like it; just click the right side of the mouse. The Apple Pro Mouse does not have a right-click, IIRC.

[Pierre.Suave]

3. Here

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

[brentspeak]

4. I looked there

but I can't exactly locate what I'm trying to find out among all the links.

[Pierre.Suave]

5. OK

I am away from my comp at the moment, but

it is either, the "apple" key, otherwise known as the command key, the "option" key, or the "control" key.

[brentspeak]

6. on edit:

I did find something sort of useful, though it still doesn't provide info on how to selectively edit text:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2514?viewlocale=en_US

[Kutjara]

7. The right click problem can be solved by...

...going to the System Preferences app (which should be sitting in your dock - it's the little grey/silver icon with the gears), selecting your mouse and enabling "right click" behavior. Now you should be able to use the right click function of your Mighty Mouse (which is what I assume came with your Mac Pro) by pressing down on the right side of the mouse.

On a Mac laptop, right click is used by placing two fingers on the trackpad and then clicking.

As for selecting nonsequential text, I'm not on my Mac at the moment, but I think you use the "Apple" key (usually directly to the left of the space bar).

[brentspeak]

8. I have the Pro Mouse

It's just a one-button thing. It's elegant looking, that's for sure. But I think it's time to get the more-useful multi-button Mighty Mouse.

[Kutjara]

9. Ah, yes. The Pro Mouse is a lovely little device...

...but it lacks the right click.

You can still right click by holding down "CTL" on the keyboard and clicking the mouse normally, but that get tired really quickly.

[Pierre.Suave]

11. Just so you know

any USB mouse will work, and right click will be enabled for any USB mouse you choose to plug in.

[begin_within]

10. Non-contiguous text selection doesn't work in all programs. It does work in

Microsoft Word for Mac OS, so if that's what you're using you're in luck. Select some text with the mouse, then hold down the command key (the key with the apple on it) and select some other text in the same window which is not contiguous with the first selection. This ability has to be programmed by the programmer for each piece of software. It's not a system-wide ability as far as I know. Very few programs seem to have this ability though.
Another text-selection trick that also works only with some programs, is Option-drag. You hold down the option key and drag out an area of the text you want to select. Everything within that area will be selected. This is useful for taking columns of text that are formatted in tables. This only works in TextEdit, Microsoft Word for Mac, and a few other programs. It is not well supported either.
You'll probably end up having to drop a lot of habits acquired through using Windows, as the Mac does not follow the same interface.