The invention of the modern computer keyboard began with the invention of

the typewriter. Christopher Latham Sholes patented the typewriter that we

commonly use today in 1868. The Remington Company mass marketed the
first typewriters starting in 1877.

Inventions Leading to the Computer Keyboard

A few key technological developments created the transition of the

typewriter into the computer keyboard. The teletype machine, introduced in
the 1930s, combined the technology of the typewriter (used as an input and a
printing device) with the telegraph. Elsewhere, punched card systems were
combined with typewriters to create what was called keypunches.
Keypunches were the basis of early adding machines and IBM was selling
over one million dollars worth of adding machines in 1931.

Early computer keyboards were first adapted from the punch card and
teletype technologies. In 1946, the Eniac computer used a punched card
reader as its input and output device. In 1948, the Binac computer used an
electromechanically controlled typewriter to both input data directly onto
magnetic tape (for feeding the computer data) and to print results. The
emerging electric typewriter further improved the technological marriage
between the typewriter and the computer.

Video Display Terminals

By 1964, MIT, Bell Laboratories and General Electric had collaborated to

create a computer system called Multics; a time sharing, multi-user system.
Multics encouraged the development of a new user interface, the video
display terminal. The video display terminals (VDT) combined the
technology of the cathode ray tube used in televisions and electric
typewriters. Computer users could now see what text they were typing on
their display screens making text easier to create, edit and delete, and
computers easier to program and use.

Computer Keyboards Send Direct Electronic Impulses

Earlier computer keyboards had been based either on teletype machines or

keypunches. There were many electromechanical steps in transmitting data
between the keyboard and the computer that slowed things down. With VDT
technology and electric keyboards, the keyboard's keys could now send
electronic impulses directly to the computer and save time. By the late ‘70s
and early ‘80s, all computers used electronic keyboards and VDTs.
Nevertheless, the layout of the computer keyboard still owes its origin to the
inventor of the first typewriter, Christopher Latham Sholes who also
invented the QWERTY layout. However, the computer keyboard does have
a few extra function keys.

Do you know what QWERTY is? Unsure - then just glance down at your
computer key-board. The first six letters at the top left of your
keyboard

spell it out – QWERTY. Well, did you know that this arrangement of
letters, along with the other 20 on the traditional keyboard were arranged
that way to make the job of typing more difficult? Let's find out why?

The first commercially successful typewriter was developed by Christopher

Latham Sholes in 1873. Originally, the keys were arranged alphabetically.
However, a problem soon arose. People became so adept at using the
keyboard that the keys would stick or jam when struck in quick succession.
In order to overcome this problem Sholes decided to make the job of typing
as slow as he possibly could. His solution? He placed the most frequently
used keys as far apart from each other as he could. His keyboard became
known as the QWERTY keyboard.

So, that is the reason why your keyboard is formatted the way it is. Ironic,
really – considering that every other aspect of your computer is streamlined
for maximum efficiency and yet you have to labor over a 127 year old
system designed specifically for inefficiency. And inefficient it certainly
is. For one thing, QWERTY was not designed for touch typing, which
came much later. For keys that are not in the middle or home row it is
necessary to reach across diagonally. This is difficult and leads to a high
error rate.

Yet, there is a better system. Unfortunately, too few people are aware of it.
It is called the DVORAK keyboard system. It was designed by August
Dvorak in the 1930’s. Dvorak’s keyboard put nine of the most used letters
in the middle row of the keyboard. This allows the typist to write over
3,000 words without the fingers reaching. In comparison, only about 50
words can be typed on a keyboard without reaching on QWERTY’s middle
or home row. Another advantage of the DVORAK keyboard is that the
workload is much reduced. This is achieved by redistributing the workload
amongst the fingers. As a result the fingers of a typist on a DVORAK
keyboard moves about one mile per day whereas the same typist on a
conventional QWERTY keyboard will move his fingers between 12 and 20
miles per day.

So, does the DVORAK system really improve performance. In order to

prove that it does August Dvorak retrained 14 Navy typists during World
War Two. The result? After just one month their work productivity rate
improved by an amazing 74 percent. Accuracy improved by 68
percent. So, you would think that people would be jumping over
each other to switch over from QWERTY to DVORAK. Surprisingly, this
has not proved to be the case. DVORAK keyboards are readily available on
most computers and typewriters, yet – by and large – they remain
unutilised..

An even better keyboard than the DVORAK version is the MALT

keyboard devised by Lillian Malt. The Malt keyboard does away with
staggered rows, gives greater use of the thumb and makes it easier to reach
the backspace and other normally out of the way keys. Unlike the
DVORAK keyboard, however, the MALT version will require special
hardware I order to be installed onto your computer. Modern designs are
also available on both the DVORAK and the MALT keyboards that are
specially contoured to alleviate the physical problems associated with the
traditional typewriter style keyboard. DVORAK have also put out one
handed keyboards which give a free hand for other tasks while typing.

If you decide that you would like to switch your computer over to
DVORAK it is actually a very easy thing to do. Here’s how it can be done:

(1) Click on the start button on Windows

(2) Click on Settings/Control Panel

(3) Double click on Keyboard

(4) Click on the Language Tab and then click on Properties

(5) In the pull-down list, choose United States – Dvorak

(6) Click OK

You are now all set to optimise your typing skills with a far better system.
Of course you will also have to relabel your keys. With a little patient
training you will soon get used to this new layout. And then you will be
able to produce copy at a much quicker pace.

History of the Keyboard

A Brief History of the Modern Keyboard

The piano is actually an instrument made up of compromises due to the fact

that it is not capable of playing the full "chromatic" scale as it can be played
on say, a violin. The piano utilizes a tuning format called "just intonation", a
system whereby we are able to command the expression of all the sounds
that are requred to be heard within the compass of an octave in order that the
degrees of each and every possible scale may be correctly and exactly
rendered. In order to create "true diatonic" sounds required for the necessary
intervals in all scales, there would have to be 66 notes to an octave!

KEYBOARDS:

Vitruvius, in his work on architecture (1st century A.D.) , describes an organ

with balanced keys. Next we learn that Emperor Constantine sent a musical
instrument having keys to King Pepin of France in 757 A.D.

The great musical genius, Guido of Arezzo, applied the keyboard to stringed
instruments in the first part of the 11th century. Guido's diatonic scale, eight
full tones with seven intervals of which two were semitones, was used in the
first claivchords, which had 20 keys. There are no reliable records in
existence, as to who applied the chromatic scale first. Giuseppe Zarlino
added the semitones to his instrumnets about 1548, but insturments of earlier
date have the chromatic scale, as for instance the clavicymbala, some of
which had 77 keys to a compass of four octaves.

After the 15th century nearly all the makers of key-stringed instruments used
the chromatic scale practically as we find it in the modern piano. The
semitones in most of those old instrments are elevated and of a different
color than the full tones. Since the develoment of the piano many
experiments have been made with so-called "chromatic" keyboards, in
which the semitones were on a level with the full tones. A Dr. Krause of
Eisenberg constructed a keyboard in 1811, in which the semitones were not
raised and all keys were of the same color. About 1789, Neuhaus, a piano
maker of Vienna, constructed a concave-formed keyboard forhis pianos. He
aimed to follow the inclination of the human arm to move in a semicircle.
As you can see, the modern keyboard has gone through many changes,
however, the basic concept of the key lay-out has been fairly consistent. This
is a result of the order in which the whole tones and semi-tones are arranged,
and has evolved over centuries.

(The first section was taken from "Theory & Practice of Piano Construction"
by William White, the second section is from "Pianos and their Makers" by
Alfred Dolge.

Types of Computer Keyboards

Various types of computer keyboards exist; from basic to
multimedia, beige to bright colors and even a lighted wireless
keyboard; but are they compatible with your computer?

Your keyboard will die before your PC. This is because it takes
so much more direct physical contact from us – more so than
any other component. (People even tend to be gentler on their
mouse than their keyboard.)

A descendant of the typewriter, the keyboard holds a large

number of keys on a fixed base so you can "key" commands
for the PC to follow or just type information into a program, like
Word Processing Software.

The computer keyboard layout is remarkably close to that of

the the typewriter, but has extra function keys preprogrammed
for specific uses. Function keys can work alone but can also
 be used simultaneously with other keys (like the
"shift" key on a typewriter). Many of these added keys
help with editing, searching, and are often called
"shortcuts" or "hotkeys".

Basic ... Multimedia ... Advanced Options

The original computer keyboard had 84 keys, then the

"enhanced" keyboard, with 101 keys, was introduced.
The 101 and 104 key styles are the most popular. You
can also get keyboards with many more keys and functions
you can program depending what functionality you need.

But no one has to stick with the standard keyboard that comes
with their PC. There are many options to consider. The types of
computer keyboards that are available now is almost endless.
Keyboards from different manufacturers often look a bit
different and have different optional keys as well.

The one thing you don't have to worry about when you select a
new keyboarding unit for your PC is compatibility ... these are
as great at cross-system compatibility as the computer mouse
is!

You will find keyboards with independent number pads; shift

lock; hotkeys; and caps lock keys. Hot keys help you access
email, get on the Internet, and other frequently used programs
faster. Even keyboards that offer multimedia hotkeys to take
advantage of all the Internet has to offer.

Keyboards also come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes --

all designed to satisfy the every day computer user who is
looking for that special keyboard.
Ergonomic keyboards come with a contoured shape that offers
a futuristic sculpted design and are designed to keep the
hands in a natural position that helps avoid repetitive stress
injuries to the wrists. Anyone who does a lot of keyboarding or
suffers from wrist strain will love an ergonomic keyboard.

Color & Light It Up!

Colors are all the rage now in keyboards and you can even get
mice to match. Hot yellow, red, and electric blue make a
statement that can’t be ignored.

You can even get keyboards with light effects built right in.
Finding a lighted wireless keyboard may not be something your
local store has but you are sure to find a few on the internet!

Search

Endless Choices For Personalizing Computer Keyboards

 You can go with a basic keyboard, multimedia or split
keyboard; you can even find computer keyboards in
wireless, bright colors, waterproof and more.

So when your keyboard finally gives out; don't fret; the cost is
minimal to find a replacement and the choices are endless.
Plus you don't have to worry about compatibility with your
system ... so take a few minutes now to browse the different
keyboards available ... you will enjoy the differences!

When computers were still a new uncommon fad, people had no choice over
which type of keyboard to get — they had to make do with the keyboard
supplied with their computer system. Now, however, people have a choice
over which keyboards to use, which hardware to get, and which devices to
install in their computers. Computer keyboards can be classified into four
general types according to their layout: standard, multimedia, numerical, and
ergonomic.

* Standard Keyboard

Standard keyboards are the regular keyboards supplied with most PC

purchases. Keys are laid out in straight organized lines and columns.
Standard keyboards also include a number pad and an array of command
keys and arrow keys.

* Multimedia Keyboard

Multimedia keyboards are improved standard keyboards featuring extra keys

that make multimedia software easier to use and navigate. These keyboards
usually have a key for launching a media application, keys for increasing
and decreasing volume, and keys for playing and pausing media playback.
Some multimedia keyboards are designed for heavy Internet users. They
feature back and forward buttons and keys for launching email software and
certain Web browsers. Some will even contain a navigation wheel bar that
makes scrolling faster. Advanced multimedia keyboards will have keys that
can be defined to execute a computer command. This is useful for gamers
who want to execute a series of actions at the stroke of one key.

* Numerical Keyboard
A numerical keyboard or a number pad simply consists of number keys;
keys for basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division; and basic function keys like Delete, End, Home
and Insert. These keyboards can stand alone but are usually integrated with
the other types of keyboards. Numerical keyboards are always found on
standard and multimedia keyboards.

* Ergonomic Keyboard

Ergonomic keyboards were designed to reduce the stress standard keyboards

have on the hands of certain computer users. After using standard keyboards
for long hours, many people complain of wrist strains and general
discomfort with their hands. Research claims that this is due to the awkward
hand position required on standard keyboards in order to reach all of the
keys. There is no specific standard for ergonomic keyboards. People buy
them or have some custom-made to suit their needs.

A standard keyboard will work fine for you in most cases. If you are
suffering from strain and hand injury, then you should consider getting an
ergonomic keyboard. If you need speed, then you can execute commands
faster by getting a multimedia keyboard. Depending on your needs and
comforts, there is a keyboard available for you in the market.

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Published by Computer Knowledge For You on Mar 29, 2009 under

Computer Peripherals | Post your comment now

Due to a requirement for different types of computer keyboards

manufacturers have created a large variety of keyboards that range from
simple text keyboards to complex multimedia keyboards. Each of these
computer keyboards has different benefits and while some keyboards
provide short cuts to applications like email, other keyboards allow a person
to access applications like media players. This article is going to elaborate
on the various types of keyboards in the market.

A basic computer keyboard that does not have any advanced features has 84
keys. The layout of a simple computer keyboard is similar to a type writer
but extra keys features are provided to access applications like email and
word processing documents.
The multimedia computer keyboard has 101 keys and these keys are often
referred to as shortcuts or hot keys. Some multimedia keyboards have 104
keys and such devices provide more features as compared to a keyboard
with 101 keys. Multimedia or advanced keyboards have added features like
an independent number pad, caps lock key, shift lock keys and short cut
keys to take you to in built multimedia applications. An option to enable the
sticky key function is also provided on advanced keyboards.

An ergonomic computer keyboard has a special design that helps keep the
hands at a natural position while using the keyboard. These keyboards are
ideal for people who use the computer for more than 3 hours every day or
for people who have wrist problems.

Many manufacturers are creating keyboards that come in different shapes,

sizes and colors. Traditional keyboards would be bulky and they would
come in fixed colors like black, grey and white but these new and improved
keyboards come in colors such as pink, red, yellow and purple. Some
manufacturers even provide keyboards that have an in built light and these
keyboards are ideal to use at night when external lights are dim or switched
off.

Article Written by Jeffrey Frasco. Visit Computer Components For You for
information about the main computer components and how they operate in a
computer system. Information about : RAM, Hard Drives, Computer CPU's,
Motherboards, Video Cards, Sound Cards, Power Supplies, Disk Drives,
Monitors, Keyboards and Mouses.

Different Types of Keyboards

Keyboards are the input devices used for many devices like
computers, phones, PDAs and laptops. Nowadays, there is a
wide variety of keyboards are available. To know more about
the different types of keyboards, read on...
The keyboard is an important peripheral that is used as an
input device of a computer and many other devices. Keyboards
are available for desktop computers, laptop computers, PDA
and smart phones. Usually, there are around 110 keys on a
computer keyboard. The keyboard is used to enter letters,
numbers and other special function keys, which are used for
some special functions. The different types of keyboards
available, depending on the layout of the keyboard are,
QWERTY and AZERTY. The QWERTY keyboards are most
commonly used nowadays and have the six alphabets
(Q,W,E,R,T,Y) in the first row of the keyboard. The AZERTY
keyboards are used primarily, in the French countries. The
types of keyboards vary according to their connection with the
CPU, the application, the layout of the keys and some special
function keyboards.

Different Types of Keyboards - Connection Type

Wireless Keyboards
The wireless keyboards use three basic types of connections,
viz.

• Bluetooth Keyboards
• Infrared (IR) Keyboards
 • Radio Frequency Keyboards

The radio frequency keyboards get the required power from

batteries or has a USB cable to charge the keyboard. The
infrared keyboard are to be kept in the line of sight of the
receiver. On the other hand, the radio frequency keyboards
provides a greater range than the infrared keyboards. The
bluetooth keyboards use a bluetooth technology, which
provides a greater range than the radio frequency keyboard
and infrared keyboards. The radio frequency keyboards offer a
greater mobility than the bluetooth and the infrared keyboards.

Wired Keyboards
The PS/2 and USB are the two wired connections that connect
the keyboards to your desktop computers. The PS/2 keyboards
are very commonly used and they are called so because they
use the PS/2 connection. They are one of the cheapest
keyboards that are available in the market. The USB keyboards
use a USB (Universal Serial Bus) to connect to the CPU. The
PS/2 and USB keyboards are usually plug and play. Other types
of keyboards are a bit expensive and require expensive
software applications to be installed.

Different Types of Keyboards - Layout

Ergonomic Keyboards
The ergonomic keyboards are designed considering the
ergonomic aspect of the keyboards. It is specially designed as
per the comfort of the hands and wrist of the keyboard user.
The ergonomic keyboards are designed to prevent the carpal
tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling
sensation in hands and fingers after typing for a long duration.
These keyboards also help the keyboard user maintain a
comfortable position.

Compact Keyboard
The sizes of keyboard goes on increasing, especially, those of
the ergonomic keyboards. The ergonomic keyboards are
designed bigger to accommodate many keys that perform
special functions. The compact keyboards are slim and usually
do not have the numeric keypad that is present on the right
side of the other keyboards. Some compact keyboards even
include a rubber pad that can be used instead of the mice.
These keyboards are not very small in size, but offer portability
during travel and storage.

Different Types of Keyboards - Special Keyboards

Internet Keyboards
The internet keyboards are designed to increase the comfort
level of the internet user. The internet keyboards have hot-keys
for the home page of the web browser, inbox and the favorites
menu on your computer.

Multimedia and Gaming Keyboards

The multimedia and gaming keyboards are designed for
playing audio and has hot-keys for volume control, play, stop
and mute operations. The gaming keyboards are designed for
the convenience of the gamers and these types of keyboards
provide the required controls on the keyboards like
backlighting.

Virtual Keyboards
The virtual keyboards are not actually physical keyboards, but
they are simulated using a software. Usually, the virtual
keyboards are used in the PDA.

These are the different types of keyboards available according

to the varying needs of the user. The keyboards must be
chosen as per the space available, type of usage and wired
and wireless needs of the computer user.

Computer Keyboard Functions: How does a Keyboard Work

A computer keyboard is a hardware device that functions in
accordance to the instructions made by the user. It comprises
circuits, switches and processors that help in transferring
keystroke messages to the computer.
In today's technology driven world, everyone is aware about
computing and the usage of computer keyboard. We all know
that keyboard is an input device that functions in accordance
to the instructions of the user. Computer keyboards are used
for preforming various tasks such as typing on a word
processor or text editor, accessing menus and playing games.
Though pressing a key corresponds to typing a letter, sign or
symbol, it may also represent computer commands. For
example, pressing the F5 key is a command for refreshing.

For some characters, it is necessary to press and hold more

than one key at the same time. Speaking about the history of
computer keyboards, it was modeled in the 1940's based on
the technology of typewriter keyboard. Similar to typewriter
keyboard, a computer keyboard consists of a set of keys
engraved with symbols and letters. However, the productivity
of working on a computer keyboard is much more than that of
a typewriter keyboard.

Functioning of a Computer Keyboard

In general, there are 80-110 keys in a computer keyboard. The
keys may vary depending upon the brand and the type of
operating system. Nevertheless, the shape, size and spacing of
keys are almost same for all keyboards. Also the layout or
arrangement of keys that represent letters, signs and symbols
is same, which is referred to as QWERTY.

The working of a computer keyboard can be compared to a

miniature computer. Inside the keyboard, there are metallic
plate, circuit board (key matrix) and processor, which are
responsible for transferring information from the keyboard to
the computer. Depending upon the working principle, there are
two main types of keys, namely, capacitive and hard-contact.
Let's discuss in brief about the functioning of capacitive and
hard contact key.

Capacitive Key
On the underside of a capacitive key, a metal plunger is fixed,
which helps in activating the circuit flow. When a capacitive
key is pressed, the metal plunger applies a gentle pressure to
the circuit board. The pressure is identified by the computer
and the circuit flow is initiated, resulting in the transfer of
information from the circuit to the currently installed software.

Hard Contact Key

A hard contact key is attached with a metallic plate that helps
in connecting the circuit board. When the hard contact key is
pressed, it pushes a metallic plate, which in turn touches the
metallic portion of the circuit plate. This overall process of
completing a circuit results in a circuit flow, allowing the
transfer of the message to the central processing unit (CPU),
which is further transmitted to the software.

In both the key types, the circuit signals the processor to read
and/or identify the character that has been pressed. For
example, in a hard contact key, the processor reads that
pressing 'shift' and 'a' keys at the same time corresponds to 'A'.
Hence accordingly, the letter, sign or symbol is displayed on
the screen. Releasing the pressed key breaks the circuit flow,
after which the key retains its original position. The
communication between a computer keyboard and main
computer is bi-directional, meaning that message or
information can be sent within each other.

When you look at all the extras and options that are available for new computer
keyboards, it can be hard to believe that their original design came from mechanical
typewriters that didn't even use electricity. Now, you can buy ergonomic keyboards that
bear little resemblance to flat, rectangular models with ordinary square keys. Some
flashier models light up, roll up or fold up, and others offer options for programming
your own commands and shortcuts.

Computer Image Gallery

An average Windows keyboard.

See more computer pictures.

But no matter how many bells and whistles they offer, most keyboards operate using
similar technology. They use switches and circuits to translate a person's keystrokes into
a signal a computer can understand. In this article we will explore keyboard technology
along with different key layouts, options and designs.

Inside the Keyboard

A keyboard is a lot like a miniature
computer. It has its own processor
and circuitry that carries information
to and from that processor. A large
part of this circuitry makes up the
key matrix.

The microprocessor and controller circuitry of a

keyboard

The key matrix is a grid of circuits underneath the keys. In all keyboards (except for
capacitive models, which we'll discuss in the next section), each circuit is broken at a
point below each key. When you press a key, it presses a switch, completing the circuit
and allowing a tiny amount of current to flow through. The mechanical action of the
switch causes some vibration, called bounce, which the processor filters out. If you press
and hold a key, the processor recognizes it as the equivalent of pressing a key repeatedly.

When the processor finds a circuit that is closed, it compares the location of that circuit
on the key matrix to the character map in its read-only memory (ROM). A character
map is basically a comparison chart or lookup table. It tells the processor the position of
each key in the matrix and what each keystroke or combination of keystrokes represents.
For example, the character map lets the processor know that pressing the a key by itself
corresponds to a small letter "a," but the Shift and a keys pressed together correspond to
a capital "A."

The key matrix

A computer can also use separate character maps, overriding the one found in the
keyboard. This can be useful if a person is typing in a language that uses letters that don't
have English equivalents on a keyboard with English letters. People can also set their
computers to interpret their keystrokes as though they were typing on a Dvorak keyboard
even though their actual keys are arranged in a QWERTY layout. In addition, operating
systems and applications have keyboard accessibility settings that let people change their
keyboard's behavior to adapt to disabilities.

Keyboard Switches
Keyboards use a variety of switch
technologies. Capacitive switches
are considered to be non-mechanical
because they do not physically
complete a circuit like most other
keyboard technologies. Instead,
current constantly flows through all
parts of the key matrix. Each key is
spring-loaded and has a tiny plate
attached to the bottom of it. When you
press a key, it moves this plate closer
to the plate below it. As the two
plates move closer together, the
amount of current flowing through the
matrix changes. The processor
detects the change and interprets it
as a key press for that location.
Capacitive switch keyboards are
expensive, but they have a longer life
than any other keyboard. Also, they do
not have problems with bounce since
the two surfaces never come into
actual contact.
All of the other types of switches used in keyboards are mechanical in nature. Each
provides a different level of audible and tactile response -- the sounds and sensations
that typing creates. Mechanical key switches include:

• Rubber dome
• Membrane
 • Metal contact
• Foam element

This keyboard uses rubber dome switches.

Rubber dome switches are very common. They use small, flexible rubber domes, each
with a hard carbon center. When you press a key, a plunger on the bottom of the key
pushes down against the dome, and the carbon center presses against a hard, flat surface
beneath the key matrix. As long as the key is held, the carbon center completes the
circuit. When the key is released, the rubber dome springs back to its original shape,
forcing the key back up to its at-rest position. Rubber dome switch keyboards are
inexpensive, have pretty good tactile response and are fairly resistant to spills and
corrosion because of the rubber layer covering the key matrix.

Rather than having a switch for each key, membrane keyboards use a continuous
membrane that stretches from one end to another. A pattern printed in the membrane
completes the circuit when you press a key. Some membrane keyboards use a flat surface
printed with representations of each key rather than keycaps. Membrane keyboards don't
have good tactile response, and without additional mechanical components they don't
make the clicking sound that some people like to hear when they're typing. However,
they're generally inexpensive to make.
Metal contact and foam element keyboards are increasingly less common. Metal contact
switches simply have a spring-loaded key with a strip of metal on the bottom of the
plunger. When the key is pressed, the metal strip connects the two parts of the circuit.
The foam element switch is basically the same design but with a small piece of spongy
foam between the bottom of the plunger and the metal strip, providing a better tactile
response. Both technologies have good tactile response, make satisfyingly audible
"clicks," and are inexpensive to produce. The problem is that the contacts tend to wear
out or corrode faster than on keyboards that use other technologies. Also, there is no
barrier that prevents dust or liquids from coming in direct contact with the circuitry of the
key matrix.

Different manufacturers have used these standard technologies, and a few others, to
create a wide range of non-traditional keyboards. We'll take a look at some of these non-
traditional keyboards in the next section.

Non-Traditional Keyboards
A lot of modifications to the
traditional keyboard design are an
attempt to make them safer or easier
to use. For example, some people
have associated increased keyboard
use with repetitive stress injuries
like carpal tunnel syndrome, although
scientific studies have produced
conflicting results. Ergonomic
keyboard designs are intended to
keep a person's hands in a more
natural position while typing in an
attempt to prevent injuries. While
these keyboards can certainly keep
people from holding their hands in a
"praying mantis" position, studies
disagree on whether they actually
prevent injury.

Photo courtesy [Link]

The SafeType keyboard places the two halves of the
keyboard perpendicular to the desk surface.

The simplest ergonomic keyboards look like traditional keyboards that have been divided
down the middle, keeping a person's hands farther apart and aligning the wrists with the
forearms. More complex designs place the two halves of the keyboard at varying angles
to one another and to the surface on which the keyboard rests. Some go even further,
placing the two halves of the keyboard on the armrests of chairs or making them
completely perpendicular to the desk surface. Others, like the Datahand, don't look much
like keyboards at all.
 Photo courtesy [Link]
Saitek Truview backlit keyboard buttons

Some modifications, while not necessarily ergonomic, are designed to make keyboards
more portable, more versatile or just cooler:

• Das Keyboard is a completely

black keyboard with weighted
keys that require more pressure
from a person's strongest fingers
and less pressure from the weaker
ones.
• The Virtual Laser Keyboard
projects a representation of a
keyboard onto a flat surface. When
used successfully, a person's
fingers pass through the beam of
infrared light above the projected
 surface, and a sensor interprets it
as a keystroke.
• The True-touch Roll-up keyboard is
flexible and can be rolled up to fit
in a backpack or bag.

Blue backlit keyboard 'on'

Blue backlit keyboard 'off'

• Illuminated keyboards, like the Ion
Illuminated Keyboard, use light-
emitting diodes or
electroluminescent film to send
light through the keys or the
spaces between keys.

Photo courtesy [Link]

Optimus keyboard programmable hot keys

• The Optimus keyboard has organic

light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in
the keys. Users can change what
 letter, command or action each
key represents, and the OLED can
change to display the new
information.

Photo courtesy [Link]

This Optimus keyboard is set for keystrokes used to
play Quake.

With the exception of the Virtual Laser Keyboard, which has its own sensing system,
each of these keyboards uses the same type of technology as traditional models do to
communicate with the computer. We'll look at that technology next.