Typing Up A List Of Keyboard Options

The humble keyboard is perhaps one of the oldest method used to interact with a computer, and most of us would be very lost without one today. However, there are a number of different types of keyboard, and many extra features, which might be worth considering if you are thinking of purchasing a new computer system, or replacing the old traditional keyboard which you are currently tapping away at. Although most of us are familiar with the traditional qwerty layout of keys on a keyboard, so called because of the position of the first size letters on the top row, there are other variations available too.

Naturally keyboards available in different languages will have certain keys arranged differently, but a Dvorak keyboard has the letters arranged in an entirely different arrangement. Changing from one arrangement to another is not recommended, and especially not if you happen to be a decent typist as it is likely to slow you down considerably. However, those who have used a Dvorak keyboard arrangement have often sworn they would rather not switch to a qwerty layout as the keys are arranged in a way which prevents fast typing.

This is a matter for personal opinion, but most people ignore the option even if they are aware of it being available. Another aspect to consider is the ergonomic keyboard arrangement. Today we have to be very aware of the fact that using a keyboard for any significant length of time has the potential to cause harm. Repetitive Strain Injury, or RSI, is very commonplace, and many people suffer from cramps, tightness, discomfort or even nerve damage caused by tensing the hands or wrists for long periods of time.

 A normal keyboard requires the hands to be quite close together, closer than the elbows. This cause the arms to have to angle inwards, whilst at the same time our wrists have to compensate by angling outwards. This zigzagging of the arm joins causes a great deal of tension, and is not good for blood flow or for the nerves.

 Instead, an ergonomic keyboard has the keys laid out in two halves, with each half separated a little way from the other, and angled to provide a much more natural resting position for the arms. In this way, there is no need to angle the arms inwards, and therefore no need to angle the wrists either. For touch typists this should afford a very comfortable position indeed, and for those who can't touch type, it may encourage a better typing technique as well as providing a more comfortable and less damaging position for the hands and arms.

 There are other options and inclusions in many modern keyboards, including extra buttons which either come with pre-programmed commands such as opening email, opening the internet, closing the computer down or logging off. The =re are many buttons available that can be programmed by the user to carry out simple commands, routines or run specific programs. There are even some keyboard which have media buttons included allowing you to operate your computer almost like a media station, opening music files, playing the, adjusting the volume and so on.