- Keyboard commands minimize time spent using the mouse and bypass system menus for frequent actions. These commands have been a part of the Windows and Mac OS for years but have recently infiltrated popular programs and Web apps, and are quickly making your computer mouse less and less useful.
- Keyboard commands were an integral part of the first MS-DOS system and were the only way to navigate the computer mainframe. When the modern PC emerged in the 1990s, many people found the whole mouse system a little too jarring. Keyboard shortcuts were introduced in Apple's first Mac OS and in Windows 97. Although they weren't initially popular, they became commonplace, and most regular users were aware of the common Ctrl+Alt+Del keyboard command for the Windows platform. In recent years, keyboard shortcuts have become a regular part of nearly all programs, including Web apps and Internet browsers.
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Keyboard commands reduce time spent going through system menus. For instance, if you are using Adobe Photoshop and you want to select all of the current pixels in a photo, you can either click through the photo options menus until you find the command, or you can press Ctrl+A. Although this only shaves a few seconds off the total time you spend working on Photoshop, professional users find that shortcuts can save hours of time in the long run.
Keyboard commands also help fast typists to execute commands much quicker than reaching for the mouse. -
There are two main types of keyboard commands: combination and single-key.
Single-key commands consist of pressing just one key to trigger an application. Because single keystrokes can frequently be misinterpreted, single-key commands are less prevalent in full-scale programs but have become more popular in Web-based applications like Gmail, where they can be "switched on" and used extensively.
Combination keyboard commands are most popular and generally consist of holding down two or more buttons to signal a certain action. The most famous of these is probably the Ctrl+Alt+Del keyboard command, which opens up the Windows Task Manager. - Many modern programs as well as Web applications have special toolkits for users to create and customize keyboard commands. However, you should only program these shortcuts if you are experienced, since improperly programmed shortcuts can cause unintended results, especially if there is a duplicate issue. Depending on the program, there may be safeguards, but if the improperly programmed commands cannot be undone, you may have to reset all default settings to make the program function properly again.
