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Keyboard ABCs
Carpal tunnel information
Types of keyboards
Keyboard layouts
Troubleshooting
Key Explanation
Shortcut keys
Keyboard definitions

KEYBOARD ABCs

The keyboard is the main input peripheral used by all computers. The keyboard allows for user input and action with the computer. Much like many type writers, the keyboard has all the letters of the alphabet, numbers 0 - 9 and additional special operational keys.

CARPAL TUNNEL INFORMATION

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an inflammatory disorder that affects the carpal (wrist) part of a specific nerve. Repetitive stress, physical trauma, certain diseases, or specific hereditary conditions can inflame the sheaths that surround wrist tendons. With the swelling of small blood vessels, pressure increases on the nerve and disrupts its functioning; numbness, pain, and a loss of manual dexterity result. Treatment can vary from Splinting the wrist, drugs, and in severe cases, surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may occur as a user does repetitive motion on his or her keyboard. There have been several methods to help prevent this from happening. One of the most common ways in preventing this is purchasing a Natural Style ergonomic keyboard. This type of keyboard allows the hands to be in a more suitable position. These keyboards can be purchased from any computer retailer. It is recommended you test the keyboard before purchasing it. The keyboard can be difficult to use for some users. Below is an illustration of what this type of keyboard may look like.

TYPES OF KEYBOARDS

QWERTY Keyboard - Developed by Sholes in 1868 and is now the official standard of computer keyboards [ISO9995]. The layout of the QWERTY keyboard was designed for two finger typing and was designed to help prevent stuck keys. Now with new technology, stuck keys are no longer an issue; and with the position of the keys, the hands are held close together helping to cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Given all the above problems, this is the most widely used keyboard because the lack of options, can be used without training, is used because of the difficulty of having to teach a different keyboard, and is cheap and easy to find.

Dvorak Keyboard - Developed by Dr. August Dvorak in 1936 as a solution to the outdated QWERTY keyboard. The layout of the keys on this keyboard make it easier and faster to type on when compared with other keyboards.

Chiclet Keyboard - Very small keyboard that was introduced with the PC Jr. with small keys spread out.