INFORMATION CHS N.C.

LEVEL : II
COMMON Perform Computer Operations
SHEETS # 4 Module 1 LO. 1

DIFFERENT PARTS OF A COMPUTER KEYBOARD

The computer keyboard works much like a mouse; many keyboard shortcuts can eliminate the need for a mouse. Keys are
split into different parts of the keyboard, each providing a specific function.

Function Keys
Across the top of a keyboard are a row of keys called the Function Keys. Each key is composed of the letter F and a
number, ranging from F1 to F12. Each of the Function Keys performs a specific operation based upon what software is being
used.

Numeric Keypad
Many larger keyboards have an extra section to the right that contains the Numeric Keypad. This consists of the numbers 1
through 9, an asterisk, a slash, a dash, a plus sign, an enter key and a period. There is also is a "Num Lock" key, which is
used to turn on and off the Numeric Keypad.

Navigation Keys
The Navigation Keys, also called the Direction Keys, are used to navigate through documents and websites. Examples of
Navigation Keys are the up, down, left and right arrows.

Typewriter Keyboard
The center of the keyboard, which contains the largest amount of keys, includes letters and numbers. Most typing is done
with these keys.

Special Keys
Other keys include the Alt and Ctrl keys (used for specific functions), the Tab key (used to insert the curser) and the Shift
key (used to make capital letters or symbols that are located on the number keys).

Escape
The Escape key is located in the upper left-hand corner of the keyboard. It is used to cancel operations.

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KEYBOARD BASICS

Keyboards differ by manufacturer and the operating system they are

designed for.

A keyboard's primary function is to act as an input device. Using a keyboard, a

person can type a document, use keystroke shortcuts, access menus, play games
and perform a variety of other tasks. Keyboards can have different keys depending
on the manufacturer, the operating system they're designed for, and whether they
are attached to a desktop computer or part of a laptop. But for the most part, these
keys, also called keycaps, are the same size and shape from keyboard to
keyboard. They're also placed at a similar distance from one another in a similar
pattern, no matter what language or alphabet the keys represent.

Most keyboards have between 80 and 110 keys, including:

• Typing keys
• A numeric keypad
• Function keys
• Control keys

The typing keys include the letters of the alphabet, generally laid out in the same pattern used for typewriters. According to
legend, this layout, known as QWERTY for its first six letters, helped keep mechanical typewriters' metal arms from colliding
and jamming as people typed. Some people question this story -- whether it's true or not, the QWERTY pattern had long
been a standard by the time computer keyboards came around.

Keyboards can also use a variety of other typing key arrangements. The most widely known is Dvorak, named for its
creator, August Dvorak. The Dvorak layout places all of the vowels on the left side of the keyboard and the most common
consonants on the right. The most commonly used letters are all found along the home row. The home row is the main row
where you place your fingers when you begin typing. People who prefer the Dvorak layout say it increases their typing speed
and reduces fatigue. Other layouts include ABCDE, XPeRT, QWERTZ and AZERTY. Each is named for the first keys in the
pattern. The QWERTZ and AZERTY arrangements are commonly used in Europe.

The numeric keypad is a more recent addition to the computer keyboard. As the use of computers in business
environments increased, so did the need for speedy data entry. Since a large part of the data was numbers, a set of 17 keys,
arranged in the same configuration found on adding machines and calculators, was added to the keyboard.

The Apple keyboard's control keys include the "Command" key.

Other common control keys include:
• Home • Page Down
• End • Control (Ctrl)
• Insert • Alternate (Alt)
• Delete • Escape (Esc)
• Page Up

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The Windows keyboard adds some extra control keys: two Windows or Start keys, and an Application key. Apple
keyboards, on the other hand, have Command (also known as "Apple") keys. A keyboard developed for Linux users
features Linux-specific hot keys, including one marked with "Tux" the penguin -- the Linux logo/mascot.

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.

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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.

FROM THE KEYBOARD TO THE COMPUTER

As you type, the processor in the keyboard analyzes the key matrix and determines what characters to send to the
computer. It maintains these characters in its memory buffer and then sends the data.

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A PS/2 type keyboard connector.

Many keyboards connect to the computer through a cable with a PS/2 or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. Laptops use
internal connectors. Regardless of which type of connector is used, the cable must carry power to the keyboard, and it must
carry signals from the keyboard back to the computer.

Wireless keyboards, on the other hand, connect to the computer through infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth
connections. IR and RF connections are similar to what you'd find in a remote control. Regardless of which sort of signal they
use, wireless keyboards require a receiver, either built in or plugged in to the USB port, to communicate with the computer.
Since they don't have a physical connection to the computer, wireless keyboards have an AC power connection or use
batteries for power.

Microsoft wireless keyboard

This Microsoft wireless keyboard is battery-powered.

Whether it's through a cable or wireless, the signal from the keyboard is monitored by the computer's keyboard controller.
This is an integrated circuit (IC) that processes all of the data that comes from the keyboard and forwards it to the operating
system. When the operating system (OS) is notified that there is data from the keyboard, it checks to see if the keyboard
data is a system level command. A good example of this is Ctrl-Alt-Delete on a Windows computer, which reboots the
system. Then, the OS passes the keyboard data on to the current application.

The application determines whether the keyboard data is a command, like Alt-f, which opens the File menu in a Windows
application. If the data is not a command, the application accepts it as content, which can be anything from typing a
document to entering a URL to performing a calculation. If the current application does not accept keyboard data, it simply
ignores the information. This whole process, from pressing the key to entering content into an application, happens almost
instantaneously.

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THE MAGIC BEHIND KEYBOARDING

There really is no "magic" or secret about good typing ability. It just takes time and lots and lots of practice. However there
are some important things that will help you in the process:

**NOTE It is also important to strike the keys with a short quick stroke.

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TIPS AND TRICKS

Please Read the following:

Learning to keyboard is not easy. It will take lots of self

discipline and patience. Sometimes it takes weeks to show
just small improvements. If you look at keyboarding as a skill
that can be mastered with lots of practice you will do fine. One
key factor to mastering keyboarding is good technique.

Correct technique is the most important skill any

beginning typist can learn. Speed and accuracy are all built
around good technique.
List of
the keyboard shortcuts that are available in Windows XP

General keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+C (Copy)
• CTRL+X (Cut)
• CTRL+V (Paste)
• CTRL+Z (Undo)
• DELETE (Delete)
• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item
permanently without placing the item in the
Recycle Bin)
• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the
selected item)
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a
shortcut to the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion
point to the beginning of the next word)
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point
to the beginning of the previous word)
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion
point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point
to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
(Highlight a block of text)
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more
than one item in a window or on the desktop, or
select text in a document)
• CTRL+A (Select all)
• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the
selected item)
• ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the
active program)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the
selected object)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for
the active window)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in
programs that enable you to have multiple
documents open simultaneously)
• ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order
that they had been opened)
• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a
window or on the desktop)
• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My
Computer or Windows Explorer)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the
selected item)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu
for the active window)
• CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
(Display the corresponding menu)
• Underlined letter in a command name on an
open menu (Perform the corresponding
command)
• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active
program)
• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the
right, or open a submenu)
• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left,
or close a submenu)
• F5 key (Update the active window)
• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in
My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• ESC (Cancel the current task)
• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-
ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from
automatically playing)
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

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Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an
arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to
adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself
when you move the focus to another control.

• CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)

• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
• TAB (Move forward through the options)
• SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
• ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
• ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
• SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
• Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
• F1 key (Display Help)
• F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
• BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts

• Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)

• Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
• Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
• Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
• Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
• Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
• Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
• CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
• Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
• Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
• Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
• Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

• Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)

• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
• SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
• NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
• Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• END (Display the bottom of the active window)

• HOME (Display the top of the active window)
• NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
• LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
• RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)
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Shortcut keys for Character Map

After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:

• RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line)
• LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line)
• UP ARROW (Move up one row)
• DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
• PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
• PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
• HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
• END (Move to the end of the line)
• CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
• CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
• SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+O (Open a saved console)

• CTRL+N (Open a new console)
• CTRL+S (Save the open console)
• CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
• CTRL+W (Open a new window)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
• ALT+F4 (Close the console)
• ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
• ALT+V (Display the View menu)
• ALT+F (Display the File menu)
• ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)

Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation

• CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)

• CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
• CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
• CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
• CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
• CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
• CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
• CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
• CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
• CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
• CTRL+W (Close the current window)

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PART OF A COMPUTER MOUSE

MOUSE
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative
to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands,
with one or more buttons. (Although traditionally a button is typically round or square, modern mice
have spring-loaded regions of their top surface that operate switches when pressed down lightly.) It
sometimes features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user to perform various system-
dependent operations, or extra buttons or features that can add more control or dimensional input. The
mouse's motion typically translates into the motion of a cursor on a display, which allows for fine control
of a graphical user interface.
CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS

To transmit their input, typical cabled mice use a thin electrical cord terminating in a standard connector, such as RS-232C,
PS/2, ADB or USB. Cordless mice instead transmit data via infrared radiation (see IrDA) or radio (including Bluetooth),
although many such cordless interfaces are themselves connected through the aforementioned wired serial buses.

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While the electrical interface and the format of the data transmitted by commonly available mice is currently standardized on
USB, in the past it varied between different manufacturers. A bus mouse used a dedicated interface card for connection to
an IBM PC or compatible computer.

Serial interface and protocol

Standard PC mice once used the RS-232C serial port via a D-subminiature connector, which provided power to run the
mouse's circuits as well as data on mouse movements. The Mouse Systems Corporation version used a five-byte protocol
and supported three buttons. The Microsoft version used an incompatible three-byte protocol and only allowed for two
buttons. Due to the incompatibility, some manufacturers sold serial mice with a mode switch: "PC" for MSC mode, "MS" for
Microsoft mode.[29]

PS/2 interface and protocol

For more details on this topic, see PS/2 connector. With the arrival of the IBM PS/2 personal-computer series in 1987, IBM
introduced the eponymous PS/2 interface for mice and keyboards, which other manufacturers rapidly adopted. The most
visible change was the use of a round 6-pin mini-DIN, in lieu of the former 5-pin connector. In default mode (called stream
mode) a PS/2 mouse communicates motion, and the state of each button, by means of 3-byte packets.[30] For any motion,
button press or button release event, a PS/2 mouse sends, over a bi-directional serial port, a sequence of three bytes, with
the following format:
Bit 7 Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0
Byte 1 YV XV YS XS 1 MB RB LB
Byte 2 X movement
Byte 3 Y movement
Here, XS and YS represent the sign bits of the movement vectors, XV and YV indicate an overflow in the respective vector
component, and LB, MB and RB indicate the status of the left, middle and right mouse buttons (1 = pressed). PS/2 mice also
understand several commands for reset and self-test, switching between different operating modes, and changing the
resolution of the reported motion vectors. In Linux, a PS/2 mouse is detected as a /dev/psaux device.

For 3-D (or 6-degree-of-freedom) input, vendors have made many extensions both to the hardware and to software. In the
late 90's Logitech created ultrasound based tracking which gave 3D input to a few millimeters accuracy, which worked well
as an input device but failed as a profitable product. In 2008, Motion4U introduced its "OptiBurst" system using IR tracking
for use as a Maya (graphics software) plugin.

USB
The industry-standard USB protocol and its connector have become widely used for mice; it's currently among the most
popular types.[33]

Cordless or Wireless
Cordless or wireless mice transmit data via infrared radiation (see IrDA) or radio (including Bluetooth). The receiver is
connected to the computer through a serial or USB port. The newer nano receivers were designed to be small enough to
remain connected in a laptop or notebook computer during transport.[34]

SELF CHECK #

Question: Give at least 25 keyboard shortcut keys and give its function

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