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Computer Keyboards

    Computer Keyboards Editor's Picks

    • About Computer Keyboards

      A computer keyboard is an input device. It is very similar in layout to a typewriter keyboard. A keyboard has several different buttons that are called "keys." These keys have letters, numbers and symbols on them. The keys can also be pressed simultaneously to generate specific actions from the computer. more »

    • How Computer Keyboards Function

      Most computer keyboards have a molded plastic exterior and a series of plastic keys that move independently. Small plastic brackets anchor these keys in place on top of a circuit board that is covered in a watertight rubber membrane. The vast majority of keyboard manufacturers use a design featuring small rubber domes underneath each... more »

    • Different Types of Computer Keyboards

      Computer keyboards are the gateway between you and your computer. They allow users to communicate on the Internet as well as create documents for school, business and personal reasons. The model, style and capability of a computer keyboard impacts the economic value of the tool. There are simple keyboards that allow you to do no more... more »

    • How to Unlock Keyboards

      PC computers have keyboard options that can be turned on without the user's knowledge. Nothing can be more frustrating than beginning a session of work at your computer and finding that your keyboard is either responding very sluggishly or is not responding at all. The term locked keyboard can also be used when a keyboard is... more »

    • How Does a Laptop Keyboard Work?

      Modern computer keyboards operate using switches embedded underneath the keys. When a key is pressed, the rubber dome underneath the key casing is compressed and hits the conductive contact below, completing the circuit. A chip in the computer receives the signal and then tells the software which key has been pressed. The particular... more »

    Computer Keyboards Quick Guides

    • Computers 101

      Learning to use a computer can be intimidating and frustrating. This is the perfect guide for...

    • Your Desktop Computer and You

      While laptops are all the rage, desktop computers still have their place. While you can take a...

    • Blue Tooth Tutorial

      Bluetooth is more than just the connection between your headset and cell phone. It is a...

    • Learn All About Personal Computers

      Be it a laptop, desktop or tablet PC, personal computers are a must-have for all households....

    Computer Keyboards Articles

    Wikipedia

    Keyboard (computing)

    In computing, a keyboard is an input device, partially modeled after the typewriter keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys and each press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence. While most keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or signs (characters), other keys or simultaneous key presses can produce actions or computer commands.

    In normal usage, the keyboard is used to type text and numbers into a word processor, text editor or other program. In a modern computer, the interpretation of keypresses is generally left to the software. A computer keyboard distinguishes each physical key from every other and reports all keypresses to the controlling software. Keyboards are also used for computer gaming, either with regular keyboards or by using keyboards with special gaming features, which can expedite frequently used keystroke combinations. A keyboard is also used to give commands to the operating system of a computer, such as Windows Control-Alt-Delete combination, which brings up a task window or shuts down the machine.

    Types
    Standard
    Standard keyboards for desktop computers, such as the 101-key US traditional keyboards or the 104-key Windows keyboards, include alphabetic characters, punctuation symbols, numbers and a variety of function keys. The internationally-common 102/105 key keyboards have a smaller left shift key and an additional key with some more symbols between that and the letter to its right (usually Z or Y).

    Laptop-size
    Keyboards on laptops and notebook computers usually have a shorter travel distance for the keystroke and a reduced set of keys. As well, they may not have a numerical keypad, and the function keys may be placed in locations that differ from their pl read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard+(computing)

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