What are keyboards used for?
The keyboard is a peripheral data entry device consisting of keys or switches. These keys are made up of letters, numbers, signs and other special keys.
In computers or laptops, the keyboard is a external element. In tablets or smartphones, however, it is an internal component, but a keyboard can be connected to these devices. However, you can connect an external keyboard to your iPad or tablet if it's more convenient for you.
Keyboards are primarily responsible input of information or text on your PC or mobile device. Also, in the case of computers, the keyboard is really useful for creating commands that act as shortcuts when using certain computer functions; For example, in Microsoft Windows the combination Ctrl + Alt + Del, Ctrl + C or Ctrl + V is used a lot. When using programs like Excel, knowing the keyboard shortcuts can be very useful to speed up your work.
What types of keyboards exist?
There is a variety of keyboards to suit each person's circumstances and needs, here we will indicate each type:
- Qwerty or conventional: it is the keyboard most used by most users; its name comes from the first 6 letters of its top row and is made up of 101 to 108 keys.
- Multimedia: This keyboard incorporates a variety of extra special keys. Among these keys you can find direct accesses to the music and video player, the Internet, the volume control, among others. There are also keys for quick actions like putting the computer to sleep.
- Gamer o Gaming: this type of keyboard is ideal for video game lovers, because it has keys that allow the player to develop; as, the famous manual lever or joystick that allows you to control the movement axes. It also includes reprogrammable keys that allow the player to configure them to meet functions adapted to the needs of the game. However, there are also shortcuts that you can use with any keyboard to improve your skills in a game; for example, you can dodge shots in GTA 5.
- wireless: This keyboard contains a small antenna that transmits information via electromagnetic waves, without the need for a cable to connect it to the PC.
- ergonomic: it is perfect for those users who spend long days working using the PC; its design allows you to relax your arms as you write on it.
- Flexible: This keyboard is made of silicone or plastic, so it is easy to wash. They are also easy to carry keyboards because you can roll them up and store them easily.
- Virtual: are also known as on-screen keyboards; This type of keyboard are those that appear on the screens of mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones, but perform the same function as an external keyboard.
Functions of each key
The most used keyboard is the Qwerty (conventional); It is divided into 5 blocks and each block has a group of keys that performs different functions. Before talking about the function of each group of keys, it would be good to check if it is necessary to increase the response speed of the keyboard and therefore have a more optimal work.
- Function keys
These are the keys that act as shortcuts when using pc operating system ; You can find these switches at the top of the alphanumeric keyboard, identified from F1 to F12.
- Alphanumeric keys
This block is the one that contains the greater number of keys ; then, you can find the keys with the letters of the alphabet, 10 decimal digits and punctuation marks.
- Special keys
There are composed of three groups of keys: prime contains i keys Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Inter Pause; second, it contains the Home, End, Insert, Page Up, Del and Page Down keys and third, the 4 directional arrows.
- Control buttons
these keys surround the alphanumeric block and are in charge of controlling various programs. These keys are: Tab, Caps Lock, Ctrl, Alt, Spacebar, Alt Gr, Shift, Esc, Windows Key.
- Numeric keys
In this block you can find the numbers from 0 to 9, the keys to perform mathematical operations (/, *, -, +) and the key to deactivate or activate the numeric keypad (Num Lock).
Knowing what the keyboards you use on a daily basis are for saves you a lot of time and will use your electronic device more efficiently.
