- Mouse Practice
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Mouse Practice Publisher(s) Apple Computer Inc. Platform(s) Apple Macintosh Release date(s) 1992 Genre(s) Game based learning Mode(s) Single player Media/distribution Preloaded on hard disk, Floppy disk System requirements Mouse Practice was a game-based computer tutorial aimed at teaching new users how to operate a computer mouse[1] at a time when many were unfamiliar with this feature of a computer.
Mouse Practice was created using MacroMind Director and released in 1992 by Apple for the Macintosh computer platform. It involved the user learning the key functions of the mouse by controlling a scuba diver in an underwater environment.[1]
Another program, Mouse Basics, served a similar purpose on earlier Macintosh computers, but did not have the game-based approach of Mouse Practice.[2]
Contents
Gameplay
The opening screen showed the scuba diver inviting the user to join him as he was going exploring underwater. To get started, the user had to move the mouse so that the pointer was on the scuba diver—this required the skill of using the mouse to control the position of the pointer. An animation then showed the scuba diver descending.
Controlling the pointer
The next activity was to use the flashlight to look around, requiring the use to move the mouse to control the flashlight in order to illuminate a number of animals—this again worked on the basic skill of controlling the pointer by way of moving the mouse. Once all animals had been illuminated an animation showed the scuba diver travelling along holding onto a whale's fin.
Point-and-click
In the next activity, the user was required to move the pointer to the puffer fish, and then click the mouse button on the fish. The user then had to click on a number of other animals, releasing them from their homes—this taught the skill of pointing-and-clicking. After all animals had been released, an animation showed the scuba diver riding on a sea turtle saying "Let's see what else we can find".
Drag-and-drop
The final activity was to collect some treasure and add it to a treasure chest. The user was required to point to each piece of treasure as instructed, starting with the crown, then click on it and drag it to the treasure chest. Once all the treasure was collected, a hook appeared and the user had to drag the hook to the chest, and then release the mouse button—these activities taught the skill of dragging-and-dropping.
Ending
In the final scene, the diver bids the user farewell and says "If you want to go underwater again, point to me and click. If you want to stop, click the treasure chest". Clicking the diver would result in the tutorial being repeated, while clicking on the treasure chest would quit the program. Clicking the treasure chest was the only way out of the program; unlike other computer programs, Mouse Practice could not be exited until the mission was accomplished.
Compatibility
Mouse Practice was released with Macintosh Operating Systems 6 to 9, designed to operate on the Motorola 68k architecture. The software can also run on some other systems by way of an emulator.[1] Mouse Practice was a default inclusion in the simplified At Ease graphical user interface (GUI).
References
- ^ a b c "Mouse Practice". Utilities Downloads. Macintosh Garden. http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mouse-practice. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "Mouse Basics 4.5.txt". Apple Macintosh Utilities Downloads. Apple Inc.. 22 July 1992. http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English-North_American/Macintosh/Utilities/Mouse_Basics_4.5.txt. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
Categories:- 1992 video games
- Mac OS games
- Educational video game stubs
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