Keyboard Keys
It is best to understand first a computer keyboard before talking about its corresponding keys. A computer key board as the name suggests is a board like tool with keys arranged or patterned from that of typewriter key arrangements. It is one of the most used gadgets together with a PC due to its versatility and efficiency in terms of immediateness of results when performing data entries into a computer.
In addition, computer keyboard keys serves as electronically generated switch keys. Its keys are arranged in manner where letter alphabets and numeric symbols will not be in conflict when put to use. Such lay out is specifically similar to that of the QWERTY lay outing of a typewriter as to reiterate computer keyboards are patterned from a typewriter lay out.
Although board keys are patterned similar to lie out of typewriter keys, there is a big difference between the two especially of today’s version of computer boards. Modified keys such as control (ctrl), command and alt keys can be jointly used together with other keys to do other functions.
In addition, computer keyboard keys come with the so called functional keys such as F1 – F12 usually placed on the topmost portion of computer keyboards. Function key buttons functions as a command for any type of operation software used. In some computer boards special function buttons comes with pre-set functionalities access in turning on of power.
On the other hand, arrow key buttons are laid out in different corresponding directions along with the numbered keys on the right portion of the computer boards. This lay outing of buttons is usually observed in standard desk tops computer keyboards.
Furthermore, some boards come with more button denominations which allows volume adjustments, compact disc ejection as well as for opening programs such as Emails or browsers.
In the lay outing of computer keyboard keys all angles are taken into consideration such as mechanically speaking keys are laid out in conveniently handy positions. Visually, board keys come with clear and bold printed symbols on top for eyes to easily spot the desired keys.
The functionality of the numerous key buttons in computer boards is dependent on how a particular program recognizes each assigned button code. For experts, it is possible to alter the standard board keys functions as well as modifications and extensions of key functionalities can be made possible under certain programs.
Various types of Computer Keyboards
Conventional Desktop keyboard – this type normally comes with 104 key buttons universally popular to all desktop keyboards. The common denominator of all types of keyboards is of course letter alphabet buttons and number buttons. Function buttons are laid out on the topmost portion of the keyboard boldly printed with F1-12. Additionally, numbered keys as well as arrow buttons which functions as cursor command keys in addition to other cursor command keyboard keys such as delete, insert, enter, backspace, home, end, page up and down. Such buttons are usually placed on the rightmost portion of the keyboard.
Standard USB keyboards
May be laid out the same as it is also a desk top computer keyboard, however, this type can be attached to other PC gadgets.
Laptop Keyboards
It is said that the most significant difference between a laptop or netbook keyboard from a PC keyboard is its keyboard keys lay out. The latter comes with a shortened travelling time with every struck of buttons and is also said to have a lesser button denominations in comparison to a PC keyboard. Mostly this type does not come with numeric buttons with function buttons arranged differently from that of a conventional PC board keys.
Miniature Sized keyboards
This type of keyboard is used in smaller gadgets such as cellphones and PDA tools.