Finding the Perfect Computer Keyboard
Posted by: Brad
Tags: computer, computer keyboard, Computer Keyboards, cordless keyboard, flexible keyboard, silent keyboard
The first production typewriter was manufactured in the 1870′s by a company still around today, and that is the well-known gun manufacturer E. Remington. Although they did not sell very many products, they did revolutionize the way we write. The typewriter was, of course, the precursor to modern computer keyboards. Many people may not know this, having typed on a standard QWERTY keyboard their whole lives, but there are actually hundreds of different types of English keyboards for many different uses.
Most common is, as you may have guessed, the American Standard QWERTY Keyboard, so named for the first six letters of the first row of keys. Just within this type of keyboard, there are thousands of variations for hundreds of purposes. Some are adapted for game play, with high quality metal-capped keys to handle a frustrated gamers’ angry key smashing. Other gamers that use their microphones to communicate with fellow players will need a silent keyboard so that any typing noise is not picked up by the mic. Most gaming keyboards typically have “macro” keys, or keys that can be programmed to perform functions specific to a game or program that otherwise might require a series of keystrokes. The Optimus Maximus Keyboard not only lets the user re-assign every key to a different function, but every key contains a ten millimeter square OLED screen to display the current functionality of each key. Other gaming keyboards feature designs reminiscent of movies or games, such as the World of Warcraft Keyboard, designed practically and aesthetically to be a perfect match for the game.
A rather new addition to the long list of keyboard types is the flexible keyboard. This very thin keyboard is typically made from silicone or rubber, and can be rolled or folded up to fit in a travel case. Once unrolled and placed on a flat surface, it behaves like a normal, if a bit soft, keyboard and is connected via USB to a computer, smart phone, laptop, or PDA.
It is hard to shop for a keyboard today without noticing that a large number of the ones available are now wireless. A transmitter is plugged into the computer, usually via USB, and communicates with the battery-powered keyboard, behaving just as if there was a wire connecting them. The advantage of a cordless keyboard is the reduced clutter of wires, and the ability to sit across the room and still control the computer. This can be useful if a computer is used to play movies or display multimedia presentations.
Of course, there are other types of computer keyboard layouts besides QWERTY, the most common being Dvorak, named after it s creator, August Dvorak. This layout is based on years of research by Dvorak who claimed that QWERTY was a random arrangement of keys not designed for efficient typing. His keyboard features more commonly used letters in more commonly used places, and takes into account that most Americans are right handed.
Just remember when searching for a keyboard to use, there is definitely one out there made specifically for your needs.