1.1.2 Keyboard

The keyboard is a computer is the main device for entering data. The usual keyboard is called a 101 or 104 keyboard, based on the number of keys. However, there are variants that have more keys, particularly for multimedia (audio, CD) and internet (email, browser) access.

Although there are only 104 keys (yeah, only), computers often rely on combinations of keys to specify even more functions. A ``key combination'' involves pressing and holding one of more keys while pressing another one. Such an operating can be confusing to a new user.

For example, in Windows, a user can press control-alt-delete to demand the attention of the operating system. Such a key combination is done as follows:

• Press and hold the control key, labeled as ``Ctrl'', and is usually at the lower left corner of a keyboard.
• Press and hold the alternate key, labeled as ``Alt'', and is usually is two keys to the right of the fore mentioned control key.
• Press and release the delete key, lebeled as ``Del'', and is usually at the lower left corner immediately above the cursor keys (arrow keys).

The basic functions of a computer keyboard is not much different from that of a typewriter. Consequently, there is little need to further expand on this topic.