| Layout There are a variety of keyboard designs | | | | keyboards translates your keystrokes into text. |
| and shapes from which to choose. Most | | | | Some use mechanical keys, which tend to make |
| computers come with a traditional "straight" | | | | a clicking noise and feature better defined "up" |
| keyboard, which is the rectangular design we're all | | | | and "down" positions. Others use a "membrane" |
| familiar with. Other companies produce a | | | | technology, with a softer feel, which makes it |
| keyboard that splits the letters down the middle, | | | | easier to depress the keys. Some people like the |
| producing two halves, which are then angled | | | | clear feeling of "up and down," and others like the |
| outward to better conform to the shape of our | | | | softer touch and quieter action of membrane |
| body. This design is particularly good for people | | | | keyboards. Choose what feels most comfortable |
| with broad chests, as their elbows are already | | | | to you. |
| pushed slightly outward, naturally angling their | | | | Features The standard keyboard is the 101-key |
| wrists toward each other. | | | | QWERTY version (named after the first five |
| Conversely, thinner people may find a traditional | | | | letters in the upper left row of the keyboard), |
| "straight" keyboard more comfortable. | | | | and includes cursor keys, function keys, and a 10 |
| There are also a number of "alternative" | | | | key numeric pad on the right side. Some additional |
| keyboards available. Contoured keyboards offer | | | | features you may want to consider are: Cursor |
| recessed keys to better fit the natural placement | | | | Keys in an inverted "T" arrangement: The arrow |
| of fingers. Chording keyboards have fewer keys, | | | | keys that let you move the cursor can come in |
| allowing you to keep your fingers fixed on a given | | | | two arrangements: side-by-side (arranged in a |
| key. (They work by using combinations of keys | | | | single row) or in an "inverted T" configuration. The |
| instead of individual keystrokes.) There are even | | | | inverted T configuration is more intuitive (and |
| variations on letter arrangement; the Dvorak | | | | often more comfortable!), and makes it easier to |
| Layout keeps the same position of each key, but | | | | navigate pages, play games, etc. |
| assigns different letters to each one. Commonly | | | | Special function keys: Some newer keyboards |
| used letters such as "A", "O", "I", etc. | | | | have added extra keys to the traditional 101 |
| are placed in the "home" row, and under the | | | | layout-common examples include the "Windows" |
| strongest fingers. These layouts can actually | | | | key, Internet keys, or multimedia keys. These |
| improve efficiency significantly, but require some | | | | can be very useful for frequently repeated tasks, |
| time to learn. | | | | reducing keystrokes, improving efficiency, and |
| There is no truly conclusive evidence that | | | | reducing your risk of a repetitive stress injury. If |
| alternative keyboards reduce the risk of | | | | the keys don't initially do exactly what you want, |
| developing musculoskeletal disorders. Some of | | | | some can even be reprogrammed to execute a |
| these keyboards have been shown to reduce | | | | macro for the desired task. |
| hand pain, but it may take weeks or months until | | | | Detachable Numeric Pad: For people who use the |
| you're aware of the reduction. However, if not | | | | numeric pad extensively-accountants, for |
| set up properly these keyboards may make | | | | example-it may make sense to purchase a |
| postures worse, so always follow proper setup | | | | keyboard with a detachable 10 key module (this |
| and usage tips. | | | | allows a much greater range of positioning). Not all |
| Size Some keyboards have a smaller distance | | | | keyboards even have a numeric keypad on the |
| between the keys, which may be more | | | | right side. Some keyboards are produced without |
| comfortable for children or people with small | | | | them, and are therefore narrower. This can be |
| hands. These keyboards can also be useful for | | | | very useful for people who do not use the 10 |
| people with little space on their desk top-but don't | | | | keys-the mouse or trackball can be brought |
| hurt yourself just to save space. | | | | closer to the keyboard, leading to a better |
| Feel There's often a distinct "feel" to typing on | | | | position for the arm. These keyboards also take |
| each keyboard, and it's due to the way | | | | up less space on the desktop. |