Keyboard is the primary input component for PC. Each key is simply a
switch, which when pressed, results in a digital code being sent to the computer.
Classical keyboard includes alphanumeric , punctuation and function keys.
Now design and functional variety of the
keyboards includes more then 50,000 types of keyboards on the market.
Design and Functional variety of the keyboards
Keyboard layout |
Size of keys |
Number of keys |
Design style |
Type of combination keyboards with other input devices |
Interface with desktop |
Special types of keyboards |
QWERTY |
Normal |
Standard 86 |
Traditional |
With programmable keys |
Serial port |
Magic wand |
Dvorak |
Big Keys (Fentek Ind.) |
Standard 101 |
Ergonomic- Elite (Microsoft) |
With touchpad (Cherry Corp.) |
PS/2 |
Keypads (Kinesis) |
ABC |
Mini-sized (Fentek Ind.) |
Standard 104 |
Ergonomic (Kinesis) |
With trackball (keyalt.com) |
USB |
Datahand |
Qwerty/Dvorak Convertible (Fentek Ind.) |
Mini keyboard with full size keys (Fentek Ind.) |
Internet Multi Media(>104) |
Ergonomic adjustable (Kinesis, keyalt.com) |
With foot switches |
ADB |
Point of Sell (POS) |
|
Portable (Gyration) |
130-142 keys include additional programmable keys (Cherry Corp) |
Flexible (keyalt.com) |
With fingerprint scan (Keytronic) |
With Interface devices (Kinesis) |
Left handed (Fentek Ind.) |
|
Combination Braille/Large Print (HooleonCorp.) |
|
Braille keyboard (Hooleon corp.) |
|
Cordless via Infrared |
Customized (International languages) |
|
Kidboard (Kid-Computers) |
|
Dvorty 0ne-Touch (keyalt.com) |
|
Cordless via radio frequency (Logitech) |
For one hand (keyalt.com) |
|
|
|
Compact, etc. (keyalt.com) |
|
|
Bat (keyalt.com) |
Vendors: Fentek Industries, Inc., Dell; Keytronic, Inc., Kinesys Corp., The Keyboard Company, Belkin Component, Logitech, MacAlly, Cherry Corp, etc. Vendor for alternative keyboards is Keyboard Alternatives & Vision Solutions (www.keyalt.com)
Here are several comments for the table above:
The arrangement of characters: There are 3 types of the arrangement of characters: QWERTY, Dvorak and ABC. QWERTY keyboard was designed in 1868 by Christopher Sholes, the inventor of the typewriter. The name derives from the first six characters on the top alphabetic line of the keyboard. Sholes arranged the keys in their odd fashion to prevent jamming on mechanical typewriters by separating commonly used letter combinations. In about 1930, Dr. August Dvorak found that the QWERTY arrangement is actually considerably worse than a random arrangement. As the result of his almost ten years of his intensive study of keyboarding, Dvorak created arrangement of characters, which he called the American Simplified Keyboard (ASK). The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) actually approved a version of the Dvorak layout as an alternative standard at one point in the 1970s. However, the DVORAK does increase the speed of typing. ABC keyboard arranges characters alphabetically. Dvorak layout (for left and right hands) has been built into Microsoft Windows since version 3.0. Mac computers have the same also options.,
Big Keys keyboard is a serious alternative computer keyboard
for kids and adult with a bad vision. Big Keys offers an easy to use ABC format or the
standard QWERTY format. Either format can be ordered with either multi-colored
keys or white keys.
Kidboard is a standard
sized keyboard but keys are color coded for learning recognition for first time typers. Great
starter keyboard for ages 6-13. A bright, colorful keyboard designed to aid learning location of
the letters.
Wireless keyboards
offer a radio frequency solution and infrared technologies, that allows you to control the keyboard and the trackball
from up to two meters (6.6 feet). RF (radio frequency) is more convenient than IR (Infrared)
technology as it doesn't require you to point the keyboard at a receiver on the computer.
Ergonomic keyboards:
There are 2 basic types of ergonomic keyboards- fixed split
and and adjustable split. The fixed split keyboards have the typing areas for each hand
positioned at an ergonomic angle that is not adjustable. The adjustable split keyboards
may have 2 or 3 separate pieces (one for each hand), that can be adjusted or separated as
needed. Also one-handed keyboards are available that allow the keys and functions to be
accessed using only one hand. For all users this types of keyboard will feel
awkward at first, however will soon become natural.
Touchpad
keyboard has a built-in touchpad that
allows you to perform point and click operations without removing your hands from the keyboard.
The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite is the second in a series of
ergonomically designed keyboards from Microsoft. Its split, gently sloped
design allows you to place your hands, wrists and forearms in a natural
position for greater comfort while typing. With its improved space-saving
design, the new keyboard takes up less room on your desktop and fits
easily into keyboard trays.,
Magic Wand Keyboard:
The Magic Wand Keyboard is a miniature computer keyboard, with a built-in
mouse, that allows disabled people with limited or no hand/arm movement to
fully access any IBM or Apple Macintosh computer. It is the only
computer keyboard, and mouse, that requires no strength. ( Manufacturer:
In Touch Systems )
Keyboard Internet Multi Media:
The Internet Keyboard has additional programmable hot keys, which
allow you to browse the web or check E-mail directly from the keyboard. One-touch buttons
take you directly to your favorite multimedia activities - navigate music and video clips, surf the
Web, start the programs you use most, and more.
Datahand ergonomic keyboard helps to reduce RSI-related pain comes through
requiring far less finger movement to type than do other keyboards. Each finger
rests in a “well,” sort of akin to the “home row” on a traditional
keyboard, except that the finger never has to leave its well. Each finger has
five keys assigned to it, pressed by moving the finger north, south, east, west,
or pushing down. Since a regular keyboard just uses one kind of finger motion
(down) as opposed to Datahand’s five, the Datahand allows a greater variety of
finger motions, reducing the repetition that can aggravate certain kinds of RSIs
(Datahand corp.).
Illuminated
keyboard: - Light up Keyboard is the perfect
inexpensive addition to any computer. Each of the keys is individually
backlit with a light up EL film which can be turned on and off at the owners
convenience. Not only do the keys light up a deep blue but the keyboard has
super bright blue LEDs above the "Num Lock" "Scroll Lock" and "Caps Lock".
The Black Multimedia Illuminated Keyboard is also the only illuminated
keyboard on the market with multimedia keys. This simple but great addition
puts Volume Controls and Internet Commands at your fingertips. Usually drawing power from the
USB port, this type of keyboard is intended to be used in environments
where there is insufficient light. For more details see: Illuminated Keyboard
Gamers keyboards
built on the the idea that gamers want a keyboard layout that is more in
tune with how they play. There are the
Logitech G15 keyboard, Wolfking
gamers keyboards,
Ideazon Zboard,
Saitek Gamers
Keyboards, and so on.
Keypads:
It can be a simple numeric keypad to accompany keyboard
or an advanced programmable 20 or 58 keypads.
Braille keyboard - the keys are marked with raised dots as an aid for the blind.
With help of Y-Dual Keyboard Adapter you can connect both specialized (or for example, a children keyboard) and standard keyboards to one computer, then switch between them as necessary.
Tips for choosing a new Keyboard
Type of keyboard depends on goals of your computing and your demands for convenience and speed of work with your computer. To find the best keyboard you need to choose:
Arrangement of characters
Size and number of keys
Embedded trackball or touchpad
Ergonomic design
Interface with computer.
Comparison-shopping Center: You can use directly the Comparison-shopping Center to buy on the Internet the web a product with the lowest price.
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