Keyboard is an important device that allows a person to enter symbols like letters and numbers into a computer. It is the main input device for most computers.
There are different types of keyboards. The most popular type is the QWERTY design, which is based on typewriter keyboards. The QWERTY design was made so the most frequently used letters would not jam a mechanical typewriter or typesetting machine. Now there are no more typewriters but the design stayed because people were used to it. QWERTY is the first 6 letters on the upper row of letters on the keyboard. An ergonomic keyboard is made to be easier for people to use, without hurting their hands or arms. The keyboard can type letters, numbers and punctuation, and also lets you control the computer, using special keys like the START button, and the arrow keys. A Dvorak keyboard is an alternative layout.
Keystroke logging is capturing a record of each key that is pressed. Keystroke logging can be used to measure employee activity. Hackers can also use keystroke logging. Scientists discovered that most keyboards give off electromagnetic radiation that can be used to tell which keys have been pressed. Spies could determine what has been typed by remotely sensing such signals.
Researchers are studying if keyboards can spread diseases. Some keyboards were found to contain five times more germs than a toilet seat.
Character available on a keyboard are generally those of the local language, although ASCII characters tends to be available everywhere.
Characters on an English language keyboard are 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0,-,=,q,w,e,r,t,y,u,i,o,p,[,],a,s,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,;,’,#,\,z,x,c,v,b,n,m,.,/,!,”,£,$,%,^,&,*,(,),_,+,Q,W,E,R,T,Y,U,I,O,P,{,},A,S,D,F,G,H,J,K,L,:,@,~,|,Z,X,C,V,B,N,M,<,>,? and also F1 F2 F3 and more.
