Page 44 - gyamfi series vol. 2

INFORMATION AND COMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY GYAMFI SERIES

TYPES OF INPUT DEVICES

1. Keyboard: a computer keyboard is
an input device that is mainly used to
enter text into
the computer. It looks like typewriter
but with more keys for performing
special
functions. E.g. of keyboard are:
traditional, ergonomic, flexible,
wireless and P.D.A
keyboard.
Keyboard can be categorized based on
the arrangement of keys on it.

i. The QWERTY keyboard: it gets its name from the first six letters in the top-left row
of alphabetic keys on the keyboard. The QWERTY layout was originally designed for
typewriters, not computers and was meant to slow down typists to prevent
typewriter keys from jamming. QWERTY is therefore considered inefficient because
it slows typing speeds.
Now that technology can keep up with faster typing, other keyboards are being
considered.

ii. DVORAK KEYBOARD: with a DVORAK keyboard you can type most of the more
commonly used words in the English Language with the letters found around the
home keys, the keys in the middle row of the keyboard.

iii. Specialty keyboards: laptops keyboards obviously need to be more compact than
standard keyboards and therefore have functions so that you can get the same
capacity from the limited keys. You can also connect traditional keyboards to most
laptops.

iv. P.D.As: generally, you enter data and commands into a P.D.A by using a stylus; a pen
shaped device that you use by tapping or writing on the PDA’s touch –sensitive
screen.

2. SCANNER: a scanner is an input device used to create an
electronic or digital image of
text, graphs, diagrams, photographs and others into the computer.
Scanning is the process of using scanner to send information to the
computer.

Types of scanner are;
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