Why the mouse´s arrow is inclined ?

Answer 1

This is a very good question! The first computer to use an interface similar to the current standard graphical interfaces was the Xerox Alto (see link 1). It was the first computer with a mouse, and the first one to use a leaning-arrow cursor. My personal opinion was that the leaning-arrow shape is visually distinctive - it doesn't look like a letter or number, and it doesn't resemble a window edge (as a vertical or horizontal cursor might), and its shape allows the "hot" point to be located at a spot which is mostly "uncovered" by the rest of the cursor. In addition, the cursor shape closely resembles the shape one's (right) hand takes when you want to point at something on the screen. An arrow cursor is also very simple, and the visual language is unambiguous to most: whatever's at the point of the arrow is what's being pointed at.

So the answer is a number of psychological, usability, and traditional reasons.

Answer 2

The arrow's direction is a lot more specific that way. Rather than straight up and down, which could indicate anything up or down the page, it is oriented specifically and unmistakably to direct focus toward whatever you are, well, _pointing_ to.

But the real question is, does it point the opposite direction in the Southern Hemisphere? ;-)

Answer 3

It has always been such. You can get other pointers. Not all of them are inclined. But the inclined ones look more professional somehow.

Answer 4

Go to settings--you can change your mouse. You can even make it into a hand.

Answer 5

They probably thought it looked less agressive like that.

Answer 6

Better up than down.

Answer 7

And the finger sticks straight up? Yeah, weird, isn't it. hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha
hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha
hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha
hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha
hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha
hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahaha