Keyboard

The first input device we will look at is the keyboard. The image used on the next page to illustrate the various keys may not look like the keyboard you are using. Several variations are popular and special designs are used in some companies. Laptops have fewer keys. Tablets have onscreen keys only.

Common differences:

• Functions keys: across the top or at the left or somewhere else
• Enter key: Shape -rectangle or L-shape, one row high or two
• Backspace key: Different sizes - small rectangle or wide one
• Arrow keys: Some keyboards have and some do not.
• Numeric keypad: Some keyboards have and some do not, especially laptops.
• Backslash key: 3 popular placements: at the right end of the numbers row, above the Enter key, or beside the Enter key.
• Windows keyboards:
• Windows key: Opens up the Start Menu. Can be combined with other keys to perform actions.
• Windows Context Menu key: Opens the right-click context sensitive menu.
• Keys to control the computer - Sleep, Browser controls, Mail, Volume, Shut Down, Calculator, etc.

It's enough to confuse a person's fingers!

Microsoft Natural keyboard

Ergonomic keyboards even have a different shape, curved to fit the natural fall of the wrists.

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 1055