The history of the keyboard goes back about 150 years, and modern designs are very different from the first ancestors. Yes, invented Latom Stolse The typewriter had keys in alphabetical order. Its usability left much to be desired, as the most used characters were in the most inconvenient places. The problem was quickly recognized, and in 1890 a new layout " qwerty”, which has not changed much to this day.
True, among the typewriters there were also rather strange-looking specimens, with alternative input methods. For example, the character selector could be sliding, and the typewriter could only type in capital letters. Model American Typewriter Co. typed text from a rubber band mounted on a rocking element.
With the invention of the first computers, keyboards gradually had new keys - modifiers and function keys, and a separate numeric block also stood out. Thus, keyboards have already acquired almost modern features. In 1987, an "extended" keyboard was released to the mass market, with 101 keys versus the usual 83 keys. The function keys on it were moved to a separate top row, and additional ones appeared - F11 and F12. Such an extended version is still in use today, there are no changes in the layout, but the variety of shapes and types of keys has become huge.
It is the choice of keyboard that determines the convenience and comfort of working with a computer. Therefore, the choice of a keyboard is an important point, and depends primarily on what you are doing. Let's figure out which models and why it is better to choose.
Connection interface
There are two main options - wired connection of the keyboard to the PC, or wireless. In terms of aesthetics and space saving, of course, a wireless device is more convenient, but it also has disadvantages.Wireless keyboard
It can be performed in two types of connection interface - this Bluetooth, or USB(radio channel). Bluetooth the execution is more expensive, but you can connect such a keyboard to any compact device, be it a tablet or a netbook. If connecting to a home PC, you will need a special Bluetooth adapter.
Keyboards with radio channel outperform Bluetooth interface according to the range of the transmitter signal. Since the signal transmitter is made in the usb interface, one of your slots will be occupied by the keyboard, while Bluetooth allows you to get rid of this (in the case of an internal Bluetooth adapter in the system unit). Also, the disadvantage of the radio channel is the possibility of interference from household appliances, since the frequencies of the transmitters are mostly in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz band.
A wireless keyboard is your choice if you work with text, want to connect it to more than just a PC, hate wires, or have a pet who shares this hatred. If you are a gamer, it is better to choose the wired option.
Wired keyboard
The classic keyboard design is wired. May (still) differ in the connection connector - USB, or PS/2. There is no fundamental difference in use, but PS/2- an outdated connector, and its use can only be justified for old motherboards with a small number of ports USB. Moreover, if necessary, use all the same PS/2, you can easily use the adapter USB->PS/2.
Advantages - high response speed, practicality, the greatest prevalence. There is no need to charge or change the batteries because they simply do not exist. Well, one of the main advantages is a significantly lower cost compared to wireless performance.
Types of keyboards by design features
Flexible keyboards. As the name implies, they have a flexible rubber body, are compact - they can be rolled up, usually they are protected from moisture and water. Good for constant carrying, for example, paired with a tablet. Virtually silent, as I have a membrane button mechanism. Disadvantages - extremely dubious ease of use: a very short key travel and fuzzy pressing, it is difficult to compare with full-fledged desktop keyboards.
Classic keyboards. Desktop keyboards with rectangular buttons arranged close to each other in horizontal parallel rows. The layout is most often classical - a separate digital block, and a block with arrows. The most common on the market, you can most often meet in offices. These keyboards are cheap and take up minimal desktop space at full size.
Full size keyboards. Type, formed according to the size of the keyboard - an average of 40-50 cm in length, and 15-20 cm in width. Ideal for your desktop, home or office. The keys are quite large, the sizes are standardized, which means it is convenient to type text with a blind ten-finger method, as in the case of classic keyboards.
Ergonomic keyboards. The keys of ergonomic keyboards are divided into two parts, oriented to each other at an angle of 120°. Alphabetic keys are located in a convex arc, which eliminates the need to keep your hands parallel to the plane of the table, which increases the comfort of use. They usually have brush holders. Such keyboards are more expensive than standard ones, and take up much more space. They may not seem very aesthetic, but they are really comfortable. Can be recommended if you spend all day at your PC.
Compact keyboards. They have a reduced size, designed either to save space on the table, or for ease of carrying with mobile gadgets. Basically, they differ from the classic ones in the absence of a separate digital block, or the location of all blocks close to each other. Often wireless.
Island keyboards. They differ in that the keys are separated from each other by narrow paths of the body, turning the keys into "islands". As a result, they have a more rigid body, and are more suitable for touch typing (this is a subjective point, but it is logical to assume that there are fewer accidental keystrokes of neighboring keys). As a consequence of the performance, less debris gets into island keyboards. It is convenient, and such a keyboard looks very modern.
Composite keyboards. They usually consist of two separate blocks that can be placed at any convenient angle, or even in different corners of the table. But - you definitely can’t place it on your knees. Quite expensive due to the complexity of execution, mainly represented by game models.
Low profile keyboards. The advantages are that it is almost silent in comparison with the classical one. The keys are located almost flush with the base, and have a very short travel. The mechanism is usually membranous. If silence is critical for you, then it is worth considering the low-profile model.
Also, by type, one can distinguish keypads and digital panels. The former are separate blocks of the main and additional arbitrary keys, designed for special purposes - for example, for games. Numeric panels are also only part of a full-fledged keyboard. It can be connected, for example, to a laptop if you do a lot of work with numbers.
Which keystroke mechanism is better?
One of the key differences between the keyboards lies, perhaps, in the mechanism of pressing the keys. This is what will affect your typing speed, accuracy, and your tactile sensations, the "response" of the keyboard. There are several main types.Membrane mechanism
Keyboards with membrane mechanism the cheapest and most common. The very principle of pressing the keys here is quite simple: under the button there is a membrane, which, when pressed, flexes and closes the contacts on the internal printed circuit board, and the return occurs using the convex “dome” of the membrane under the button. Therefore, pressing occurs only if the membrane is completely squeezed, which reduces the resource, and besides, it is not very convenient.
Flaws
Poor tactile feedback
Inconvenient for fast typing of large amounts of text
Relatively low resource of clicks (from 5 to 10 million clicks)
The effect of "fatigue" - over time, the membrane wears out, the keys are pressed worse
The keys are not clearly positioned - when pressed from the side, the key is pressed unevenly, and a sharp keystroke can often be false
Advantages
· Low price
Low noise level
Can be compact
The membrane mechanism is used in many budget models, as a fairly simple technical solution. A mass product that is suitable for a consumer without special requirements for a keyboard.
scissor mechanism
Keyboards with scissor mechanism can be considered the next step in the evolution of the membrane mechanism. The principle of reading a keystroke essentially remains the same, but the design has been improved: under the button there are two cross loops on the principle of scissors, which are rigidly attached to the case and the key. When pressed, the silicone cap located between them is pressed, which closes the contact, and then returns the button to its original position.
Such "scissors" provide a much greater clarity of pressing, the key is pressed evenly in the center and along the edges. The key stroke also becomes smaller, it is no longer necessary to press the membrane so hard.
Such keyboards are very often used in laptops, due to the low profile. The cost is usually higher than that of membrane.
Advantages
No noise during operation - due to the rigidity of the design, there is no “clicking” of the keys on the keyboard case
Uniform key travel when pressed
The keys are firmly fixed, do not dangle, do not move when pressed
Smaller travel, better tactile feedback
Longer resource in comparison with the membrane mechanism
Flaws
Inherited from the membrane mechanism, the effect of "fatigue" (observed to a lesser extent, but still there)
Small resource of pressings in comparison with the mechanical type of keyboards
Due to the shallow depth of action and the clarity of key actuation, the scissor mechanism is perfect for fast typing, and, moreover, low noise.
mechanical type
Mechanical keyboards- This is an older, but more advanced technology. Each key has its own mechanical switch with a contact and a return spring, so that the key does not need to be pressed all the way. The full travel of the keys in most mechanical keyboards is 4 mm, and the actuation depth is about 2 mm. There is no need to press the keys to the end, as on membrane keyboards, and the pressing force is also less. Together, this makes typing on mechanical keyboards easier by taking the strain off your fingers and allowing for faster typing.
The pressing force for different models varies from 45 to 80 grams, and sometimes higher, the pressing itself can have a clear audible click when triggered. The resource of mechanical switches easily leaves behind membrane and scissor mechanisms - manufacturers claim about 50 million clicks.
Mechanical keyboards have quite strong differences from the switches used, so let's look at the main types and their purpose.
· Linear switches. They do not signal the actuation of a key in any way, and pressing occurs with a uniform load, linearly. There is no click, but there is an audible click of the key at the end of the stroke. (as an example, Cherry MX Red/Black, Kailh Black, partly SteelSeries QS1)
· With low tactile feedback / Light Tactile. They provide little feedback - as you press, the force slightly increases. There is a distinct click, but there is no key knock. (as an example, Cherry MX Brown, Kailh Brown, Razer Orange, partially Logitech Romer-G)
· With quiet tactile feedback / Quiet Tactile. The concept is a minimum of sound during operation, and increased resistance after it. The design implies a sound mute system both when the key is actuated and when it returns. A good alternative to low tactile switches. (as an example, Matias Quiet Click Switch)
· Loud with high tactile feedback / High Audible Tactile. Significant click-recoil - a distinct click is heard during operation, after which the resistance increases noticeably. Such tactility is well felt, but creates quite a lot of noise. (for example, Cherry MX Blue, Kailh Blue, Razer Green)
As a result, we can highlight the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical keyboards.
Advantages
Smoothness and ease of pressing
Tactile feedback and a clear click
Huge resource of 50 million clicks
Reliability and durability of a design
Easy to clean and change keys (usually a special extractor is attached)
Great for any application, given the variety of switches
Flaws
High cost compared to other types of keyboards
On average, they create more noise during operation
Keyboard for gamer
If you like to play from time to time, or even an esports player, then you should pay attention exclusively to gaming keyboard models. They are specially adapted for convenient control in games: they have programmable keys, the value of which can be reassigned, as well as the ability to execute macros. Also, individual keys used in games, such as WASD and arrows, can be highlighted with a special wear-resistant coating. Available for sale
The keyboard has many useful features that can significantly speed up the execution of a number of routine actions. Therefore, I suggest you learn about its secrets.
A wonderful invention - a computer mouse! If you use your PC only for simple web surfing and playing solitaire, then you don't need more. However, if it becomes necessary not only to press the buttons on the screen, but also to enter at least the same search queries in the browser, then one mouse is not enough. And we move towards us a large "board with buttons" (that's what it is called in a literal translation from English "keyboard") - a keyboard ...
The keyboard appeared at the dawn of global computerization and for a long time remained the only means of human interaction with a computer. At first, it was used as an analogue of a conventional typewriter and actually duplicated its set of buttons. However, with the development of technology, other additional keys gradually began to be added, which made it possible to perform one or another typical task with one click.
As a result, the keyboard came to us in its current form with a whole bunch of "extra" buttons (101 or more in total) and functions hidden behind them. Therefore, I would like to devote today's article to a more in-depth study of such a familiar keyboard.
Types of keyboards
Keyboards can be classified according to different criteria. For example, according to the type of connection, modern keyboards can be wired(for USB or PS/2 socket) or wireless(connect via Bluetooth (possibly another radio channel) or infrared). By internal arrangement mechanical(they use full-fledged mechanical keys on springs and a printed circuit board for the location of the contact tracks), semi-mechanical(the keys themselves are without mechanics, but the contacts are soldered on the circuit board) and membrane(contact paths are separated on a special flexible membrane).
However, all these differences are not noticeable at first glance. Much more often, users pay attention to external differences. And here in recent years a fairly large variety of different keyboard models has appeared. So big that you can even separate them into specific species!
Traditional keyboards
These are the most common classic rectangular keyboards with over 101 keys. Typically, such keyboards are of a single color with inscriptions printed on the keys in a contrasting color (layout - QWERTY). They have a side block with number keys (popularly called a "calculator") and an upper row of function keys (from F1 to F12). Nothing more than:
Multimedia keyboards
In fact, these are ordinary keyboards, but with additional keys, switches and / or verniers (“knobs”) for controlling typical multimedia functions (music playback, volume control, browser control, etc.). Due to the need to accommodate new controls, such keyboards usually have slightly larger dimensions than traditional ones:
Gaming keyboards
Like multimedia, gaming keyboards have a number of additional keys in their arsenal. However, most often, such keys are programmable. With the help of special software, the user can independently set the execution of a particular function (or even an entire script) for the desired button. In addition, such keyboards can also have their own display or even a touch screen for displaying various data and additional control:
Unlike the others, in this class of keyboards, the main thing is small size. It is important that they can easily fit into an average bag and take with you on the road. For this reason, in such keyboards, either the physical size of the keys is reduced, or their number is reduced (usually to 83-84 buttons) due to the "cutting off" of the side number block.
In addition, portability can be achieved in other ways. For example, now you can find silicone flexible keyboards that roll up into a tube, or even projected onto the surface of the table using a special laser projector:
As you can see, there are enough different keyboards. But they all work pretty much the same. Therefore, we will consider their main additional functions.
Key Blocks
Almost all keyboards are built according to a standard scheme and have an almost identical key layout. Moreover, the keys are grouped in a special way, which gives us the opportunity to highlight their specific blocks:
The main part is occupied enter keys letters and numbers. Without them, in fact, the keyboard will not be complete. These keys include all numeric-character buttons, Enter, Backspace, and sometimes Shift (as a modifier key for entering capital letters). Their main purpose is to enter text.
To the left and right of the input buttons there are blocks special keys. They themselves practically do not perform any actions, but serve as modifiers, which, in combination with the keys of the input block, can form keyboard shortcuts for performing certain functions (more on that below).
Above the input block there are 12 function keys. To date, not all of them are used by the system, but those that are still involved allow you to perform an action with one click (depending on which program the user is working in).
To the right of the main block of keys are usually located cursor control buttons. They are mainly used to move the cursor mark in text editors one character (arrows), to the beginning or end of a line (Home and End), or even an entire page up (PageUp) or down (PageDown). In addition, the Insert button activates the text input mode with replacement, and Delete allows you to remove one character after the cursor (unlike Backspace, which removes characters before the caret).
Finally, not on all keyboards (for example, portable or laptop), but there is number key block. This block is convenient to use for entering numbers, making calculations in calculator programs or spreadsheets. There are all digital signs, signs of basic arithmetic operations, a decimal separator, the Enter key and NumLock.
Numeric keypad
Let's start, perhaps, with the favorite block of all accountants and people who constantly calculate something on a computer. In fact, it is a somewhat stripped-down calculator keyboard with enlarged Enter keys (analogous to "=" on a calculator), "0" and "+" for greater convenience. This block is so in demand that it is even available as a separate USB keyboard for laptops:
The key here is responsible for activating the input. Num lock. This is one of the three trigger buttons (switches) found on a standard keyboard (the other caps lock to turn on the upper case of the alphabetic keys, and the third scroll lock to switch the operating mode of the cursor keys) and have their own indicators.
If NumLock is "lit" (indicators are usually located in the upper right corner of the keyboard), then using the numeric keypad, we can use all the buttons of the "calculator". If it is disabled, then the block buttons acquire other functions, which are usually signed in small print. In fact, in this mode they duplicate the commands of the cursor block, which is located to the left.
The main "wisdom" of the digital block is that if you can't enter numbers with it, then you need to enable NumLock :).
Function keys
When computers were even bigger, and their operators mostly had degrees, the latter wanted to be able to quickly execute this or that microprogram written for their own needs. This is how additional function keys F1 - F12 appeared, which made it possible to "hang" the functions needed by the user.
With the spread of Windows, the ability to customize function keys has receded into the background. Instead, some of the top-row buttons were set to perform standard actions (sometimes with an additional modifier key):
- F1- call help on the currently running program;
- F2- renaming the selected file in Explorer;
- F3- launching a regular search in Explorer;
- F4+Alt- closing the current window;
- F4+Ctrl- close the current browser tab;
- F5- updating the contents of the window in Explorer and some programs (for example, in browsers);
- F6- moving focus to the address bar in browsers);
- F7-F9- there are no standard functions, specific actions depend on the program in which the buttons are activated;
- F10- transfer focus to the menu bar or call the main menu of the program;
- F10+Shift- calling the context menu;
- F11- activation / deactivation of the full-screen mode of some programs (for example, browsers);
- F12- depends on the program (often used to call any additional menus or tools).
In principle, the function keys perform their tasks almost everywhere in the same way. The only exception may be file managers, which use them in their own way. For example, in them, pressing F3 will start viewing the current file, pressing F5 will copy it, and pressing F6 will copy and move it. You can usually see the assignment of the function keys at the bottom of the file manager window, and reassign it in the settings:
Another nuance associated with the function keys on laptops. The laptop keyboard has an additional special key "Fn", which, in combination with one of the F-buttons, performs the action that is drawn as an icon on it. For example, Fn+F2 can mute the computer, Fn+F3 and Fn+F4 turn up or down the volume, and Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 adjust the screen brightness:
Special keys
The most significant phenomena on the keyboard are special keys. They are located in the lower left and right corners of the main input block and allow you to implement many useful combinations with conventional numeric-character buttons.
Modifier Keys
First of all, special keys include paired modifier buttons(duplicated both on the right and on the left): Shift, ctrl, alt and Win(with Windows icon).
Shift and Ctrl do not perform any functions on their own, but only modify the pressing of one of the main keys. For example, if you simultaneously press Shift and any button with a letter in the input line, the capitalized version of the pressed letter will be displayed. And pressing a combination with the Ctrl key usually leads to the execution of some function of the currently active program (for example, Ctrl + S saves a file in most programs).
Keys Alt and Win have independent functions (Alt moves focus to the menu bar, and Win opens the Start menu or switches the workspace to tablet interface mode (in Windows 8)). But they can also act as modifier keys. In this case, Alt as a modifier is often used together with the Ctrl or Shift keys, and Win, as a rule, on its own to trigger a number of system events.
There are a lot of combinations with modifier keys (they are also called "hot" keys). At the same time, their set in various programs may differ and even be configured by the user himself. However, there are a number of generally accepted combinations, which, in my opinion, are best presented in the form of a table:
| Combination | Function |
|---|---|
| CTRL(Control) | |
| CTRL+Q | Close the window of some programs. |
| CTRL+W | Close the active tab in programs with a multi-window interface (browser, graphic and text editors, etc.) |
| CTRL+R | Refresh the contents of the window (for example, in a browser or Explorer) |
| CTRL+O | Open file in active program |
| CTRL+P | Call print dialog |
| CTRL+A | Select all contents of the active program window |
| CTRL+S | Save current data in the program |
| CTRL+F | Call search dialog |
| CTRL+F | Call search dialog |
| CTRL+H | Display the history of actions in some programs (for example, in a browser) |
| CTRL+Z | Undo last action |
| CTRL+X | Cut the selected text or graphic fragment to the clipboard in the editor |
| CTRL+C (or CTRL+Insert) | Copy the selected text or graphic fragment to the clipboard in the editor without deleting it |
| CTRL+V | |
| CTRL+N | Create a new file or workspace in most programs |
| CTRL+TAB | |
| CTRL+TAB | Switch between the tabs of the active window (each press of TAB switches one tab forward, and in combination with the SHIFT key pressed - back) |
| CTRL + Esc | Launching the Start Menu |
| CTRL+sign "+" or "-" | Enlarge or reduce the contents of a window |
| SHIFT | |
| SHIFT+Insert (similar to CTRL+V) | Paste a text or graphic fragment from the clipboard |
| SHIFT+Delete | Cut a text or graphic fragment to the clipboard (similar to CTRL + X) or delete the selected file without placing it in the Recycle Bin |
| SHIFT+CTRL (sometimes CTRL+ALT) | Switch input language |
| SHIFT+F10 | Call context menu |
| SHIFT+cursor arrow | Select text in the direction of the cursor arrow |
| SHIFT+Enter | In text editors, line break without creating a new paragraph |
| SHIFT+CTRL+Esc | Calling the Task Manager |
| SHIFT+CTRL+N | Create a new folder in File Explorer (Windows 8 and later) |
| ALT(Alternate) | |
| ALT followed by an underlined letter in the menu bar | Call the function containing the underlined letter. For example, ALT+F - will open the "File" menu in most programs |
| ALT+Enter | Display "Properties" of the active element |
| ALT+Space | Display the context menu of the active window |
| ALT+F4 | Close active window |
| ALT+TAB | Switch between open windows with their thumbnails displayed (cycle by pressing TAB and in reverse order while holding SHIFT) |
| Alt + Esc | Switch between open windows without displaying thumbnails (cycle by pressing TAB and vice versa while holding SHIFT) |
| ALT+PAGE UP or ALT+PAGE DOWN | Move one page up or down |
| ALT+CTRL+down arrow or ALT+CTRL+up arrow | Flip image 180 degrees |
| WIN(windows) | |
| WIN+B | Switching focus to the notification area (tray) |
| WIN+D | Hiding/showing the desktop |
| WIN+E | Launching Explorer |
| WIN+F | Calling system search |
| WIN+L | Computer lock |
| WIN+M | Minimize all windows (Maximize back - holding SHIFT) |
| WIN+R | Calling the line "Execute" |
| WIN+T | Switch apps on the taskbar (hold SHIFT in reverse) |
| WIN+X | Displaying the quick links menu in Windows 8 and older (similar to the right mouse button in the lower left corner) |
| WIN+Pause/Break | Calling "Properties" of the system |
| WIN+Home | Minimize all windows except the active one |
| WIN+key "+" or "-" | Zoom in or out with Magnifier (WIN+Esc to disable zoom) |
| WIN+arrow key | Left or Right - snap the window to the left/right edge of the screen; up - expand the window; down - minimize window |
Other special keys
There are not so many keys left out of our attention. To the right of the main input block, we can observe the buttons caps lock, Tab and Esc.
The first of them is a trigger for switching the input letters in uppercase without holding SHIFT (with pressing, capital letters will be entered vice versa). Tab allows you to apply tabulation (indentation) in text editors or move focus between areas of the working window in Explorer mode. Esc (or Escape) is used to cancel actions in some situations.
On the right side on most keyboards at the bottom there is also a button with an image menu and cursor. This button (if any) allows you to call the context menu of the active element (similar to right-clicking).
Computer keyboard control
There are a lot of "hot" keys, as we could see. Memorizing them all at once seems to be an unrealistic task. However, in reality, most of the most useful combinations are remembered quite quickly. And, in principle, it makes little sense to memorize them all. It is enough to understand the basic principles of managing selection and transitions between windows.
Actually, there are two ways to control a computer from the keyboard: cursor control using the numeric keypad and true keyboard control. Let's start with the first one as simpler and more understandable for those who are used to using a mouse.
Controlling the mouse cursor from the keyboard
To activate the mouse cursor control mode from the keyboard, you must have a block of numeric keys. You need to press the combination Left Alt + Left Shift + NumLock, after which (if you are doing this for the first time) a window should appear asking for permission to enable cursor control mode. We press "Yes" and in the tray we will have a new mouse icon that will display the state of the current emulation:
If you double-click on this icon, then a settings window will appear in front of us (see the screenshot above). Here I recommend setting the speed of movement and acceleration to the maximum, since the average parameters, in my opinion, are rather slow. By the way, you can get into this window and turn on the mode from Control panels section "Special abilities" - "Keyboarding made easier".
Well, now - the most important thing is what buttons you can control the cursor with:
- Moving cursor- all number buttons except "5" and "0".
- Single click of the left mouse button- button "5".
- double click- "+" button.
- Mouse button hold(for example, for dragging) - the "0" button.
- Disable hold- button ".".
- Activating the right mouse button- button "-".
- Left mouse button activation- button "/".
- Activate the left and right buttons at the same time- button "*".
The NumLock key is responsible for activating / deactivating the cursor control mode from the keyboard. By default, the mode is turned on if the indicator is on, however, in order to save the "calculator" function, I would recommend setting the mode activation when NumLock is turned off in the settings. But this is, as they say, an amateur.
Controlling a computer without a mouse
Mouse emulation may appeal to ordinary users, however, the true "hardcore" will only wince cynically and continue to control the computer without a mouse at all. If you want to try the same, you will first need to memorize a few key combinations, as well as "make friends" with at least the TAB, ALT, SHIFT, CTRL, WIN, ENTER and cursor arrows.
In general, the principle of control is as follows:
- Activate any action(launching the program, pressing the left mouse button, selecting a menu item) is carried out by pressing the ENTER key.
- One of the ways you activate the desired window. Running windows can be cycled through using the ALT + TAB key combination, it is convenient to launch the program from the desktop using the ENTER button (after selecting the desired shortcut with the arrows), and for quick access to the taskbar, use the WIN + T combination.
- For navigation inside the running window program, use the cursor arrows, and for switching between window elements(workspace, sidebars, menu bar, etc.) use the TAB key (holding SHIFT navigates to elements in reverse order). This method does not work only in text editors (they use their own combinations that need to be remembered separately).
- For quick access to menu bar press the ALT button. Then move through the menu with the cursor arrows or call the necessary commands using the letter keys, the letter of which is underlined in a particular menu item.
- For calling the context menu you can use the special key in the lower right row of the keyboard (if any) or the key combination SHIFT + F10.
Actually, for a start it is quite enough to remember these simple control methods. Over time, you will remember other combinations that will allow you to further optimize your daily processes, and, perhaps, you will begin to assign "hot" keys that are convenient for you. The main thing is to get used to it (according to statistics, it takes about 2-3 days).
conclusions
The keyboard is today almost the only device that allows you to comfortably work at a computer. No touch screens, mice or other control interfaces are yet able to fully replace traditional buttons.
There are a great variety of keyboards, but they all, in fact, work the same way. Even the simplest cheap keyboard without multimedia keys can, in capable hands, become a powerful tool for managing a variety of tasks.
Therefore, learn the assignment of keys, study "hot" combinations and you can become a real computer ninja :)
P.S. It is allowed to freely copy and quote this article, provided that an open active link to the source is indicated and the authorship of Ruslan Tertyshny is preserved.
In the section on the question what is the numpad key, jump. given by the author Serve the best answer is Numeric keypad, Keypad, Numpad is a small seventeen-key section of a computer keyboard, usually located on the right side. The numeric keypad has keys for numbers from 0 to 9, addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/) symbols, as well as a period (.), Num lock, and Enter keys. Laptop keyboards usually do not have a numeric keypad.
The numeric keypad works in two modes:
when Num Lock is on, the number keys work like numbers.
When Num Lock is off, keys 8, 6, 2, 4 act as cursor keys, and keys 7, 9, 3, 1 act as Home, PgUp, PgDn and End.
The layout of the numbers on the numeric keypad is different from the layout of the numbers on the phone keypad - this can be confusing for those who use one of these key layouts more often.
The numeric keypad is used in financial and economic programs to enter numbers; input is faster compared to the linear arrangement of numbers. The style of such input is similar to the style of input in a calculator or cash register.
The buttons "+", "-", "*" (alone or in combination with the Ctrl key) in many programs are used to set the scale (larger, smaller, standard scale).
Numeric key block
The purpose of this block of keys is a quick set of numbers and signs of arithmetic operations. This block of keys (Fig. 1.11) can also perform the functions of cursor keys. It only becomes digital when a key is pressed. Num Lock(when the control lamp is on "Num lock").
Rice. 1.11. Numeric key block
Key «/» – arithmetic division sign (in macros, programs, Microsoft Excel).
Key «*» - arithmetic sign of multiplication (in macros, programs, Microsoft Excel).
Key «-» - arithmetic sign of subtraction (in macros, programs, Microsoft Excel).
Key «+» - arithmetic sign of addition (in macros, programs, MS Excel).
Key Enter- input. Completely similar to the same key in the alphanumeric block.
Regarding the key Del(Delete key with dot). It should be noted that in digit mode it is not always equivalent to a decimal point (Microsoft Excel treats it as a decimal point, but Visual Basic does not).
From the book Computerra Magazine No. 19 dated May 23, 2006 author Computerra magazineDEPARTMENT OF VANNAKH: Blues of digital homeless Author: Vannakh MikhailInformation technologies and human rights. How do they compare? What has come to us - the eye of the Big Brother or the Cornucopia of new opportunities? Do DBMS formats limit the rights of homeless people to work?
From the book Secrets of Scanning to PC the author Leontiev B KChapter 5 Using Digital Cameras Constant exchange of information, short production times, cost savings, environmental benefits are just a few of the reasons that explain the gigantic growth in interest in digital cameras. If you ever at all
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Keyboard sizes and formats (ANSI, ISO)
The keyboard format is its size, number and arrangement of keys (layout). The vast majority of keyboards use either the American ANSI layout,
or European ISO. It would seem that the difference between them is not very big, but even these small differences can cause real anguish when you work on a different layout than you are used to.Differences between ANSI and ISO formats
Enter
In ANSI it is elongated, in ISO it is high, in two rows.
Shift
In ANSI both shifts are long, in ISO the left shift is short.
backslash
in ANSI it is slightly longer than the standard key and is placed above the Enter key. In ISO, the backslash is short, located next to the left Shift. And next to Enter, both a second backslash and another key, such as a tilde, can be located.
alt
In ANSI, both Alts are equivalent in function, while in ISO the right one is designated as Alt Gr and is used to enter additional characters for extended layouts of European languages.
Classic ANSI and ISO keyboard formats (104-109 keys, 100%)
Classic keyboards formats contain 104 keys (ANSI) or 105 (ISO), but many models deviate from this standard. Developers go in two ways: reducing the set of keys and their more dense arrangement in compact models and introducing additional special keys in multifunctional models.
The 104/105-key standard is quite convenient, but it leaves an empty space above the number pad. Some put the manufacturer's logo there, but often there are some useful additional keys to control multimedia functions or to launch frequently used applications. The total number of keys is already 108 or 109, while the keyboard does not increase in size relative to the standard one.
Mechanical keyboard Das Keyboard 4 Professional. 104 main keys + 6 additional media keys (ANSI).
Macro keyboards
Macro keyboards focused mainly on the use in computer games. In them, to the left of the main block of keys, an additional block is placed for recording and playing keyboard sequences - macros. Due to this, they are noticeably wider than the classic ones. Useful not only for gamers, but also for programmers, and for everyone who is forced to spend time entering the same text structures.
Mechanical keyboard Logitech G11 (ISO).
Keyboards without numeric keypad (tenkeyless, 80%)
Shortened tenkeyless keyboards contain 87 keys (80%) do not have a digital block, otherwise they are similar to the classic ones. If you do not have to type large number sequences, you do not need this block, but without it, a lot of space is freed up to the right of the keyboard, and the hand with the mouse becomes much more free.
Mechanical keyboard Leopold FC750R Tenkeyless. 87 main keys + 3 additional (ANSI).
Keyboards 75%
75% - a slightly more compact format. Not only do they not have a number block, the rest of the keys are located tightly, without free space - the arrows and system commands (ScrLock, NumLock, Pause / Break) are rammed into the main block. There is even more space for the mouse, but it is less convenient to work with than in the shortened format.
Mechanical keyboard Vortex Race II. 75% (ANSI).
Keyboards 60%
60% - compact keyboards. They do not have function keys F1-F12, the digital block is cut off, the arrows and the system command block are removed. All this has been replaced by combinations of taps. Mostly portable, wearable keyboards are produced in this format.
Leopold FC660C mechanical keyboard with Topre switches. 60% (ANSI).
Keyboards 40%
40% - super compact format, for real hackers. It also does not have the top row of number keys. To enter numbers, you need to hold down Fn, or switch to a special layout, where instead of letters there are numbers and various special characters. This format is reserved exclusively for ultra-portable keyboards, and is popular with the most hardcore geeks out there.
Ergonomic keyboards
Ergonomic keyboardsdesigned to facilitate many hours of work at the computer by providing natural hand positions when typing. See how your hands lie on a regular keyboard - the hands are constantly at an angle to the forearms. This is not helpful and can lead to very painful carpal tunnel syndrome. In order to combat this phenomenon, developers of ergonomic keyboards make a kink in the middle of the main block of keys, or divide it into two spaced and inclined parts. 
Ergonomic Kinesis Advantage 2 mechanical keyboard.
Separate keyboards
Separate keyboards- further development of the ideas of ergonomic keyboards. They are divided into independent two parts approximately equally so that each hand lies on its own half and presses only its keys. The independence of the two halves gives a completely free hand position when typing. 
Ergonomic ErgoDox mechanical keyboard.
Keypads
Keypads- specialized mini-keyboards designed for use in games where various commands can be given not through the menu, but directly by assigning them to the keys. All keypad keys are programmable and located within reach of the fingers of one hand. In many games, the keypad allows you to do without the main keyboard, in others it is a useful addition to it. 
Keypad Logitech G13.
