IBM PC keyboard
|
|
The IBM PC keyboard and its derivative computer keyboards are
standardized. However, during the 20 years of the PC architecture
being constantly updated, several types of keyboards have been
developed.
The PC keyboard with its various keys has a long history of
evolution reaching back to teletypewriters. In addition to the 'old'
standard keys, the PC keyboard has accumulated several special keys
over the years. Some of the additions have been inspired by the
opportunity or requirement for improving user productivity with
general office application software, while other slightly more
general keyboard additions have become de facto standards after
being introduced by certain operating system or GUI software vendors
such as Microsoft. |
Shift selects the upper character, or select upper case of letters.
The Shift key in typewriters was attached to a lever that moved the
character types so that the uppercase characters could be printed in
the paper.
Caps Lock selects upper case, or if shift is pressed, lower case of
letters. In mechanical typewriters, it worked like the Shift key,
but also used a lock to keep the Shift key depressed. The lock was
released by pressing the Shift key.
Enter wraps to the next line or activates the default or selected
option. ASCII keyboards had CR or "carriage return". Typewriters
used a lever that, once pressed, would move the cylinder with the
paper.
There are several types of keyboard, usually differentiated by the
switch technology employed in their operation. Since there are so
many switches needed (usually about 80-110) and because they have to
be highly reliable, this usually defines the keyboard. The choice of
switch technology affects key response (the positive feedback that a
key has been pressed) and travel (the distance needed to push the
key to enter a character reliably). Newer models use hybrids of
various technologies to achieve greater cost savings. No current
keyboard approaches the superb ergonomics of the IBM Selectric
typewriter, because its complex mechanism would be prohibitively
costly to manufacture and maintain in today's market.
Dome-switch keyboards are kind of a hybrid of membrane and
mechanical keyboards. They bring two circuit board traces together
under a rubber "dome" or bubble. The top of the bubble is coated in
some conductive substance. When a key is pressed, it collapses the
dome, which shorts out the two circuit traces and completes the
connection to enter the character. The pattern on the PC board is
often gold-plated.
This is a common switch technology used in mass market keyboards
today. It is considered very quiet, but purists tend to find it
"mushy" because the collapsing dome does not provide as much
positive response as a hard closing switch. These are also a good
choice for office or consumer environments because they share a
certain degree of liquid resistance with their membrane ancestors.
This switch technology also happens to be most commonly used in
handheld controllers, such as those used with home video game
consoles.
Dome-switch keyboards are also called direct-switch keyboards.Capacitive keyboardIn this type of keyboard, pressing the key changes the capacitance
of a pattern printed on a PC board. Usually this permits a pulse or
pulse train to be sensed. Unlike "dome switch" keyboards, the
pattern will be covered by a thin, insulating film. Capacitive
keyboards are inexpensive, and resist wear, water, foreign objects
and dirt. They are common in PC keyboards.Mechanical-switch keyboardMechanical-switch keyboards use real switches, one under each key.
Depending on the construction of the switch, these keyboards have
varying responses and travel times. Notable keyboards utilizing this
technology are the Apple Extended II and its modern imitator, the
Matias Tactile Pro
|
 |
|
Nofeerentals.com No fee rental apartments in Greenwich Village New York, for rent in NYC No fee apartment rentals, studio , one bedroom apartments, two bedroom apts for rent in the Greenwich Village in New York City NYC http://www.nofeerentals.com/new-york/manhattan/greenwich-village.asp
Notasinc.com Embroidered cloth Gobelins, handmade unique pieces of art by Colombian artisans embroidered cloth gobelins wall hangings and embroidered cloth pillows designed and woven by Colombian artisans, Unique gifts handmade pieces of art http://www.notasinc.com/embroidered_cloth.htm
Cisco reseller and Cisco Solutions in Manhattan Queens Brooklyn New York
Lansend is a Cisco reseller providing Cisco Solutions in New York city Manhattan
Queens Brooklyn
http://www.lansend.com/sections/partners/cisco-reseller-new-york.aspx
Chai Tea | Instant tea coffee
Talking about tea and leaving out the topic of ginger tea could well be regarded
as a crime! Ginger tea is surely one of the most popular
http://www.quiktea.com/blog/?cat=1
|