Input devices: type, click and talk
A Interacting with your computer
Input devices are the pieces of hardware which allow us to enter information into the
computer.
Keyboard, mouse, joystick, digital camera, webcam, scanner, microphone, graphics
tablet, touch screen, light pen, barcode reader, touchpad, trackball
B The keyboard
A standard PC keyboard has a various groups of keys.
Alphanumeric keys- these represent letters and numbers, arranged as on a
typewriter.
A numeric keypad appears to the right of the main keyboard and contains
numeric and editing keys, the Num Lock key is used to switch from numbers to
editing functions.
Function keys appear at the top of the keyboard and can be programmed to do
special jobs.
Cursor keys include ‘arrow keys’ which move the insertion point, and keys
such as Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down, which let you move around the
documents.
Dedicate keys are used to issue commands or produce alternative characters.
For example: Ctrl changes the functions of other keys (e.g. Ctrl+X cuts the
selected text).
Caps Lock sets the keyboard in ‘CAPITALS’ mode, it only affects letters.
Enter (or Return) is pressed to select options from a menu or to start a new
paragraph.
Backspace deletes the character to the left of your current position.
C The mouse
A mouse is a hand-held device that lets you move a pointer (or cursor) and select
items on the screen. It has one or more buttons to communicate with the PC. A
scroll wheel, lets you move through your documents or web pages. The pointer
looks like an I-bar, an arrow arrow or a pointing hand.
An optional mouse has an optional sensor instead of a ball underneath.
A cordless (wireless) mouse has no cable; it sends via infrared signals or radio
waves.
Mouse actions:
To click, press and release the left button.
To double-click, press and release the left button twice.
To drag, hold down the button, move the pointer to a new place and the
release the button.
To right-click, press and release the right button; this action displays a
list of commands.
D Voice input
Today you can also interact with your computer by voice with a voice-recognition
system that converts voice into text, so you can dictate text directly onto your word
processor or email program. You can also control your PC with voice commands; this
means you can launch programs, open, save or print files. Some systems let you search
the web or chat using your voice instead of the keyboard.
Exercise 1. Look at A opposite. Which input device would you use for these tasks?
1. To play computer games.
2. To copy images from paper into a computer.
3. To read price labels in a shop.
4. To select text and click on links on web pages.
5. To enter drawings and sketches into a computer.
6. To input voice commands and dictate text.
7. To draw pictures or select menu options directly on the screen.
8. To take and store pictures and then download them to a computer.
Exercise 2.
Complete each sentence by choosing from the following devices: touch screen,
trackball, touchpad, webcam.
1. A ………………….. is a stationary device that works like a mouse turned
upside down.
You roll the ball with your hand to move the pointer on the screen.
2. Interactive ………………….. are used in museums, information centers and
Internet kiosks.
You use your finger to point directly to objects on the screen.
3. A …………………….. is used to send live video images via the Internet.
4. A ……………………… is found on notebook PCs. You use it by pressing by
pressing the sensitive pad with a finger.
Exercise 3.
Look at C opposite. Complete these sentences with the correct ‘mouse action’.
1. To start a program or open a document you………………..on its icon – that is,
you rapidly press and release the mouse button twice.
2. If you want to select a menu option, you just …………………on the left button.
3. If you want to find the commands for a particular text, image, etc., you have to
…………………..on it.
4. If you want to move an object, press the button and ………………..……….. the
object to desire location.
