Computer Mouse is really helpful for a normal computer user because it provides an easy way to navigate. It becomes even more convenient when browsing web. The user can easily select links, images, or text in a web page. Despite this functionality, there is some more juice which can be extracted from computer mouse. As a result, Mouse Gestures have been developed to provide more functionality. Mouse Gestures functionality is available as a utility for operating systems like Windows XP or they are available in modern web browsers like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
I will review here best available Google Chrome’s Extension which let you use mouse gestures. If you are using Mouse Gestures for the first time then it should not be a problem but users who have migrated from Mozilla Firefox may feel some irritation in using the solutions as the solutions are not fit when compared to the mouse gesturing add-ons developed for Firefox.
Smooth Gestures
This extension works almost perfect. There are a plenty of already built gestures available. These gestures can be identified from extension’s options page and they are also customizable. Mouse Stroke supports and recognizes three types of gestures.
Simple Gesture: Draw a gesture by moving the mouse while pressing the right mouse button and then release
Scroll Gesture: Scroll the mouse wheel while pressing down right button
Rocker Gesture: Hold down either the right or left mouse button, and then press the other one.
The default mouse gestures provided by this extension are divided into three categories which are Page Navigation, Tab Management, and Miscellaneous. These mouse strokes almost will satisfy needs of any user. Any gesture can be disabled or modified. The modification is pretty straight forward. When you will click on “+” sign, a canvas will be shown on which you can draw your own stroke for specified task. If the gesture already exists, it will show a warning. You can ignore it and over write the gesture or re draw.
Smooth Gestures has got some nice preferences which can be configured for your convenience. These preferences are
- The position of New Tab
- Color and Thickness of Mouse Trail
- Association of Right Click with Context Menu
- Selection of Right or Left Mouse Button for Gestures
- URL List for which Mouse Gestures will be Disabled
Chrome Gestures
This is another nice extension which can be used for performing Mouse Gestures in Google Chrome. It worked neatly on my stable release of Google Chrome but use it with a caution on Beta or Dev releases. This extension is also equipped with enhanced features.
Drag and Go for better navigation and quick searches can be enabled because it is disabled by default. The user can configure gestures for Text or Link selection. New gestures can be added easily and the task to be performed can be selected from a predefined list.
The list of basic gestures is available in Basic Tab. Obviously these can be edited and new can be added. The visualization of a mouse gesture is better in this extension when compare to earlier. When the user draws a stroke, the respective mouse movements in from of arrows are shown. If a valid mouse gesture is detected, the task specified with this gesture is also displayed. This mechanism assists users in early days when you can’t remember each gesture.
This extension also comes with a solution for smooth scrolling which is disabled on install but can be enabled on wards. The user needs to check “Mouse Wheel” box then the speed of smooth scroll and acceleration of scroll can be set accordingly.
Mouse Stroke
This is another alternative available to get benefit of Mouse Gestures in Google Chrome. This extension also comes up with a set of awesome features and options. It also supports and recognizes three types of mouse gestures like Smooth Gesture does. It is also equipped with Drag and Go support. Instead of visualizing arrows, it shows letters respective to mouse movements like L for Left, R for Right, U for Up and D for Down. There are a plethora of built in gestures available for different tasks. The look of trail can also be modified. It will also let you change the position of new tab and web page to open in new tab.
The best available extensions to utilize the function of Mouse Gestures in Google Chrome have been described. These extensions also provide some extra features which are available as separate chrome extensions like Positioning of New tab and Drag and Go. It is up to you which extension meets your needs but don’t forget to share tour experience in comments.
