List some of the important features of Mice & Keyboards

The mouse and keyboard are your PC’s eyes and ears; without them you could not execute commands or input text. In this article we’ll highlight some of their important features.

All About Mice

A mouse is an electro-mechanical device which is used to manipulate objects on the screen. It is also known as a pointer. Even though the mouse is a peripheral device, still it is one of the important parts of the computer hardware. The mouse detects 2-d motion relative to a surface. This motion is translated into the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows a smooth control of the graphical user interface.
A mouse is supported by only those devices which have GUI i.e. graphical user interface. Originally it was connected to computer but now days it is used as wireless. Originally, it is used as a ball rolling on the surface to detect motion, but these days they have optical sensors which have no moving parts.
Laptops touch screen phones etc. don’t require a mouse but they all use the same concept to communicate with the devices. However, many of these devices can use mouse as an optional device.
The mouse was originally referred to as an X-Y position indicator for a display system. It was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1964. Prior to this invention, computer users had to enter text-based commands to do tasks, like opening files/folders, moving between them.
Operation:  The mouse turns movements of the hand backward and forward, left and right into equivalent electric signals that are used to move the pointer.

Tracking Technology

The most basic mice for sale today let users manipulate the position of the pointer onscreen by mechanical means. A rubberized sphere inside the mouse body contacts a pair of rollers that drive gears, moving the mouse across a surface rotates the gears and the mouse’s driver translates the movement to appear onscreen. These mice are very inexpensive, but they tend to get clogged and require occasional cleaning. In 1999, Microsoft launched an optical mouse that used an LED and photo diodes to translate the mouse movements into the cursor position. Later optical mice used tiny low-resolution image sensors to track movement, enabling these modern optical mice to work on most surfaces. Laser mice use infrared laser diodes to provide very precise movement data, making it ideal for graphics professionals, engineers, and gamers.
Glass has been one of the few surfaces on which modern mice still have trouble tracking, but with the introduction of dual-laser and glass laser mice, reflective and transparent surfaces are no longer a problem.

All About Keyboards

What is keyboard: A Computer keyboard is an input device used to input text and characters. The keyboard is extremely important accessory for a computer. The keyboard gives information about all keys which has used data typing in the computer. It is also known as an external peripheral device in a desktop system or is “virtual keyboard” in mobile or tablet. It connects to the computer system through a cable or wireless connection.

Layout Types

The standard keyboard offers roughly 100 characters for letters, punctuation, numbers, and function keys. Laptops tend to have scaled-down keyboards, combining characters and actions that users can access as if using standalone function keys. Smartphones and handheld devices combine even more functions and use very small keys, suitable for thumbing.
Most keyboards feature the QWERTY layout, which refers to the first six letters of the top row on the left side of the keyboard. This layout traces its roots back to the 1870s, when E. Remington And Sons, manufacturers of firearms and typewriters, sought to avoid placing letters often typed together near one another, which significantly reduced the frequency of jams on Remington’s mechanical typewriters.

Switch Types

There are several different mechanisms used to register keystrokes. Common switch types include full-travel membrane and dome-switch keyboards that consist
of plastic keys over a layer of rubber domes. Some keyboards add springs to the rubber domes for more rapid feedback. These keyboards are known for being relatively quiet and having a smooth response. Mechanical switch and buckling spring-style keyboards have a rapid response and tend to generate an audible “clack” when keys are pressed. These keyboards have a very different feel to them, compared to rubber dome-style keyboards. To determine which type you prefer, go to a local retailer and try out a few.

A Word About Wireless

Both keyboards and mice come in wired and wireless models. If cutting cord clutter matters to you, consider that wireless mice and keyboards require batteries to operate. They also require either a wireless dongle or a receiver at the end of a USB cord. The latter does add to your wiring, but at least these units can be tucked out of sight.

Input Essentials

You have a host of options when shopping for new input devices. Considering them carefully is the key to ending up with something that can make using your computer comfortable, satisfying, and even fun.

Ports and Interfaces

• Wireless keyboard are communicating with the computer via Bluetooth.

• Wired keyboard are communicating with the computer via a USB, PS/2, or Serial connection.

All type of keyboard are require device driver in order to use.

Types of keyboard

Basically, there are four types of keyboards which is the use of high scale

QWERTY keyboard:It is very popular. Its name has appeared on the top row first six letters of the keyboard. The arrangement of alphabetic keys is known as Qwerty Keyboard.

AZERTY keyboard:Azerty keyboard is a French version. The keyboard is slightly different from QWERTY keyboard.

DVORAK keyboard: Dvorak is especially designed to be easier to use and learn. We use less finger movement while typing. It has faster typing speed as compared to QWERTY and Azerty.

Multimedia keyboard: It contains additional keys and buttons for media option such as volume, brightness and video control, audio visual media and alarms. These keyboards are designed for Internet Browser. The special keys included in this keyboard are the Home key, Back and Forward key, E-mail launch key and browser launch key.

Wireless keyboard: It is operates without wire connection. It is also known as cordless keyboards. These keyboards require batteries.

Membrane keyboard: Membrane is used very rarely. This keyboard is non-moving pressure sensitive keys.

Multi functional Keyboards: These are customized keypads, fully programmable function, and soft macro keys. Also have facility for smart card reader, trackballs, etc. In additional, Multi functional keyboards have options for users to share access to PC and other sources. This kind of keyboard is generally used by financial traders, control room operator, emergency services, security and air traffic management.

Laptop keyboard: Laptop keyboard differs from desktop keyboard. It is small in size and weight as compared to desktop keyboard. Bit functions are similar.

Smart phones and Tablet keyboard: These are not physical keyboard. It is optional to work with original keyboard. There is a visual touch screen keyboard on the display, we type by touch screen on the display with fingers.

Shortcut keys of Keyword

It gives the way to make work easier and quicker in executing commands in shortcut keys. The shortcut keys are – ALT key, Ctrl key, Tab, Shift key. We combine these keys with characters. For instance, there are some common features of shortcut keys.:

Ctrl + S (save)

Ctrl + O (open)

Ctrl + A (select all)

Ctrl + N (New)

Ctrl + Tab

We can switch between open programs while making a project or data. The most important shortcut key is Ctrl + V (Paste) and Ctrl + C (Copy) to cut, copy and paste some details which is similar in other data or other projects. It also saves time.