computer. • A standard IBM keyboard possesses 105 keys. • It is designed similar to the typewriter keyboard It was designed so for easy to use, particularly for those who were shifting from a typewriter to the computer. Standard IBM keyboard
Space Bar Commonly used keys
• Number Keys: - Labelled 0, 1, 2, …, 9
- Are used to enter numbers into a computer. • Letter Keys: Labelled A though Z: Are used to enter letters. • Backspace Key: Used to delete a character behind the cursor. • Enter Key: Has two functions: Uses of of Enter Key – When pressed in combination with letter keys it changes the case mode. – When pressed in combination with a two character keys, it prints the character located at the upper position. • Tabulation Key: Moves the cursor eight Tab character spaces forward. i.e. indents the line. • Special character keys: All characters that are neither letters nor digits, include keys such as &, *, (, ) , ‘ , @, #, etc. • Control Key: Used in combination with other (Ctrl) keys to affect certain commands. E.g. Ctrl + C: Copy a selected text on a clipboard, Ctrl+ S saves a document. • Windows Key: Activate the Start menu. • Alter Key: Used in combination with other (Alt) keys to effect commands Arrow Keys: Used navigate between documents • Left Arrow key: Moves the cursor one character left. • Right Arrow key: Moves the cursor one character right. • Up Arrow key: Moves the cursor one line up.
• Down Arrow key: Moves the cursor one line
down
• End Key: Moves the cursor to the end of
(End) the line. • Home Key: Moves the cursor at the beginning of (Home) the line. • Delete Key: Deletes a character at in front of the (Del) cursor. • Insert Key: Enables you to enter the Insert (Insert) and type-over modes while editing a text • Page UP Key : Moves the cursor at the (Pg Up) beginning of the previous page. • Page Down: Brings the cursor at the (Pg Dn) beginning of the next page • Print Screen: Copy the active contents of the (PrntScr) screen to the clipboard. (This content can then be pasted in document or in Paintbrush. • Functional key: Labelled F1 through F12: Are used to execute certain commands. • Escape keys: Cancels a command (Esc) (e.g. Activate the Start menu and then press Esc key. The menu will disappear).
Space bar Key: This is the longest key placed at the
middle of the lower part of the keypad. When pressed it moves the cursor to the right The Mouse The Mouse • Is a pointing input device. • Used to select commands as a way of inputting data into a computer. • The Mice has two buttons namely the left and right button. • To select a command just point to the command option and “click” the mouse. • The word “click” is commonly used to mean left click which means press the left button and release. • If the right button is to be pressed the term “right click” is used. • Right clicking without pointing to any option or object displays a menu called Drop Down Menu. Modern mice have rollers. This enables the user to scroll between the documents. • Instead of using a scroll bar, point anywhere in a document, and move the roller to and fro as you scroll between the document pages. • When using a mouse you will sometimes be required to make a double click or single click. • In an event of a double click, the intervals between the clicks should be as fast as possible: otherwise, the two clicks may be treated as two separate clicks. • To open an Icon a double click is required whereas to select an Icon or a button a single click is needed.