Mac Cursors

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Level 1

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Mac Cursors

I know there is no control panel to change the cursors but I was wondering can someone give me a description of each cursor and its use?
For instance I know what the loading cursor and default cursor look like, but what about the other cursors? I hope I am making sense, I ask this just out of curiosity.

MB402LL/A, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 13, 2010 12:40 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 13, 2010 12:51 AM in response to nab111693

On the whole (some applications aren't consistent):

Arrow - 'this is where the cursor is'
Thin vertical line with small extrusions top and bottom - 'insert text here'
Hand with pointing finger - 'click here to go somewhere else'
Hand with all fingers extended 'grab and move'
Rotating black and white wheel - 'dealing with it, shan't be a moment'
Wristwatch 'dealing with it, will take a bit longer'
Rotating coloured wheel (the 'beachball') - 'I'm overwhelmed, I need to lie down, I may be back after a period. Or possibly not'.

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Answer 2

jsd2

Level 5

6,245 points

Oct 13, 2010 1:46 AM in response to nab111693

This support page is an oldie, but seems still valid for later systems:
*Mac OS X: Common Pointer Icons and What They Mean*
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA22365?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 3

nab111693 Author

Level 1

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Oct 13, 2010 6:29 AM in response to jsd2

Do you know what the blue cursor is? It looks like the black and white cursor only its blue and darker blue if i recall correctly... anyway its really interesting and I am wondering what that one is.

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Answer 4

jsd2

Level 5

6,245 points

Oct 13, 2010 8:45 AM in response to nab111693

Do you mean this one?
!http://i52.tinypic.com/2yxgo5z.jpg!

I found it in this outside thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=613548
Post #30 there includes:
--------------
This is the "wait" cursor that Apple's JAVA implementation uses in certain situations.
-------------

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Answer 5

nab111693 Author

Level 1

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Oct 13, 2010 5:03 PM in response to jsd2

wow you found it! I've been looking forever to find out what it means!
Thanks!

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Oct 13, 2010 5:37 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

+Rotating coloured wheel (the 'beachball') - 'I'm overwhelmed, I need to lie down, I may be back after a period. Or possibly not'.+

Absolutely priceless - had to pick myself up off the floor laughing so hard.. 😁

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