A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter characters and functions into the computer

system by pressing buttons, or keys. It is the primary device used to enter text. A keyboard typically
contains keys for individual letters, numbers and special characters, as well as keys for specific functions.
A keyboard is connected to a computer system using a cable or a wireless connection.

Parts of Keyboard:

Alphanumeric
The alphanumeric part of the keyboard shows the letters, numbers, punctuation and a few symbols such
as percent and dollar sign.

Function Keys
You can find the twelve function keys across the top of the keyboard. The functions they carry out
depend mainly on the computer and software that you are using, but there are some standard
functions. "F1" usually opens a help file. "F2" lets you edit a selection, for example a cell in MS Excel.
"F3" opens "Find." "F4" repeats an action such as bolding text. "F5" gives a refresh command. The other
keys often have specific functions, depending on the program that is open. Some computers also use
them to control screen brightness and sound volume.

Control Keys
The two control keys, "Ctrl" and "Alt," are at the bottom left and bottom right of the alphanumeric part
of the keyboard. They are designed to be held down in conjunction with other keys to accomplish
specific functions. Particularly useful is "Ctrl" plus "C" to copy a selected text to the clipboard and "Ctrl"
plus "V" to paste it. "Ctrl" plus "B," "I," or "U" bolds, italicizes or underlines selected text. "Alt" plus "F4"
closes the current program window. "Alt" plus underlined letters in Windows menus carries out the
corresponding functions.

Navigation Keys
The navigation keys are the arrow keys and others to the left of the numeric keypad. They work as
expected except for the "Insert" key which toggles between insert and overwrite in word processors. If
your word processor suddenly starts overwriting text when you want to insert it, press the "Insert" key
to toggle back. Above the navigation keys are legacy keys that are rarely used. "Print Screen" copies an
image of the screen to the clipboard from where you can paste it into a graphics program like Paint to
obtain a screen capture image.

Numeric Keypad
The numeric keypad to the right of the keyboard allows you to enter numbers quickly with one hand.
Basic arithmetic functions are there as well. The "Num Lock" function must be selected, as usually
indicated by a "Num Lock" LED that lights up. If "NUM Lock" is not selected, the numeric keypad acts as
a duplicate to the navigation keys, rather than outputting numbers. The numeric keypad works with the
Windows calculator, found in the Start menu under Accessories. It displays a calculator on the screen
with numeric keys in the same arrangement as the keypad.

Home Row Keys

Left Hand A S D F
Right Hand J K L ; (semicolon)

Finger Chart:








Each finger rests on a particular key in the home row of the keyboard when not typing, in order
to keep "grounded" and oriented at all times. The home keys (ASDF JKL; ) are outlined in yellow
on the above diagram. The thumbs remain in the air, or very gently in contact with the keys
below.
Both index fingers are responsible for an additional column, the one next to their home columns
towards the middle of the keyboard.
The thumbs are used for the space bar, and depending on the shape of your keyboard can also
be used for the "command" (Apple computers) or "Windows" (PCs) key.
The left-hand pinky is also responsible for all the keys to the left of its home column, including
the left shift key, caps lock, tab, tilde, escape and others.
The right-hand pinky is a real workhorse, covering everything to the right of its home column.
Take a look - there's a lot of stuff there!

Proper Keyboarding Posture:

Proper Distance from the Keyboard. Known as hand-span. Hand-span tells you how far you should sit
away from your keyboard. If you sit too far away, you will not be able to reach the keys above
homerow. If you sit too close, you will not be able to reach the keys below homerow.

Feet Flat on the Floor. They help balance your body for keyboarding. Crossing your ankles or knees puts
a strain on your spine.

Sitting Up Straight. By doing this, it helps you keep your spine straight and comfortable as well as
provide balance.

Proper Wrist Position. Dont raise your palms so much that your wrists arch. Maintaining proper wrist
position helps avoid fatigue in your hands. If you wrists rest on your keyboard, this will cause you to
make typing mistakes.

Elbows In. Keeping your elbows close to your sides prevents your fingers from coming off home row.
When your fingers come off home row, you then have trouble striking the other keys from home
position.

Eyes on Copy. If you dont keep your eyes on what you are typing, you will lose time from speed, you
may also type the wrong line, skip words or even repeat a line.

Fingers Anchored. While typing, you need to keep your fingers anchored on the homerow keys.
When you reach for a key on the top or bottom row, you need to remember to bring your fingers back
to the homerow position.