Keyboards

Question 1

Every keyboard is managed by a keyboard controller. This allows human interaction with the computer. This could be considered the most important piece of the computer.

Answer 1

Source: brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/98685

Question 2

Replacement of the controller is also very difficult. Even getting a spare one can be challenging. Having a whole spare motherboard can be very handy.

Answer 2

Source: brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/98685

Question 3

The keyboard controller translated keystrokes on your keyboard into characters that appear on the screen. Sends electrical pulses to the CPU and results in the entry of text and command.

Answer 3

Source: brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/98685

Question 4

The controller is usually found near the PS/2, or the USB connecter. This connecter usually sits on top of the controller chip, making it less distinctive, as plastic insulation.

Answer 4

Source: brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/98685

Question 5

Sources: brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/98685
thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402
businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches
nelson-miller.com/7-fun-facts-about-keyboards
switchandclick.com/stabilizer-guide

Question 6

While there are several layouts for a keyboard, the “QWERTY” layout is the most common. Developed by Sholes and his partner James Densmore in 1878. The reason for this was to overcome the mechanical limitations of technology at the time.

Answer 6

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 7

The reason for the QWERTY layout, was because there was a limit to how fast you could type on a typewriter. The keys would get stuck and, in turn, rendering the typewriter unusable for the time being.

Answer 7

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 8

In the 1930s, new keyboard models were introduced that combined the input of a typewriter, and the communications technology of a telegraph. Punch-card systems were also combined with typewriters to make what’s called keypunches. These machines were the basis of early calculators.

Answer 8

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 9

Keypunch technology was incorporated into the designs of the earliest computers including the Eniac computer.

Answer 9

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 10

1964, a Video Display Terminal (VDT) was created by MIT, General Electric, and Bell Laboratories. This device was used to see what you are typing.

Answer 10

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 11

In 1990, handheld computing devices became available. One of the first was the HP95LX, released by Hewlett-Packard. Handheld size and was one of the first Personal Data Assistants (PDA). It also used the Qwerty layout.

Answer 11

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 12

As PDAs began to add web and email access, word processing, spreadsheets, personal schedules, and other desktop applications, pen input was introduced. The first pen input devices were made in the early 1990s, but the technology to recognize handwriting was not robust enough to be effective.

Answer 12

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 13

Goldberg and Richardson, two researchers at Xerox in Palo Alto, invented a simplified system of pen strokes called “Unistrokes,” a sort of shorthand that converted each letter of the English alphabet into single strokes that users would input into their devices.

Answer 13

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 14

Palm Pilot, released in 1996, was an instant hit, introducing the Graffiti technique, which was closer to the Roman alphabet and included a way to input capital and lowercase characters.

Answer 14

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 15

The problem with these alternative keyboards is the data capture takes more memory and is less accurate than digital keyboards. As mobile devices such as smartphones grew in popularity, many differently formatted keyboards were tested. The issue was how to use such a small keyboard accurately.

Answer 15

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 16

One fairly popular method was the “soft keyboard.” A soft keyboard is one that has a visual display with built-in touchscreen technology. Text entry is performed by tapping on keys with a stylus or finger. The soft keyboard disappears when not in use. QWERTY keyboard layouts are most frequently used with soft keyboards, but there were others, such as the FITALY, Cubon, and OPTI soft keyboards, as well as a simple listing of alphabetic letters.

Answer 16

Source: thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402

Question 17

When a key is pressed on your keyboard, an electrical pulse is sent to the computer via your cable or wireless connection. This is then sent from the PS/2 or USB port to the keyboard controller where it then signals the CPU (the computer’s processor) to allow the entry of the text or keyboard

Answer 17

Source: brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/98685/

Question 18

Fun Fact, the average keyboard has 101-104 keys. Although, different sizes or layouts can change that.

Answer 18

Source: nelson-miller.com/7-fun-facts-about-keyboards/

Question 19

There are 3 types of keyboard switches, Linear, Tactile, and Clicky.

Answer 19

Source: businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 20

Switches are mechanisms that are located under the keycaps and enable you to type faster, and more precisely.

Answer 20

Source: businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 21

Linear switches are the smoothest & fastest

Touch typists prefer tactile switches because of the feedback

Answer 21

Source: businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 22

Rather than a rubber membrane resisting your keystroke, a switch feels precise because your finger is pushing a low friction mechanism, actively resisted by a spring.

Answer 22

Source: businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 23

Linear Switches

A linear switch is the simplest mechanical switch because the stem travels up and down without being impeded in any way — hence the name. The key registers the stroke, or actuates, when it bottoms out at the end of its travel. Gamers tend to prefer this kind of switch because it allows for fast and unambiguous control within a game when fractions of a second count.

Answer 23

Source: businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 24

Tactile Switches

This is similar to a linear switch but there is a bump in the middle of its downward travel. This bump lines up with the actuation point, which happens before the key bottoms out. This does a few things. It enables faster typing because each key doesn’t need to travel as far to actuate. At the same time, it’s quieter than linear switches because touch typists don’t need to bottom out the keys. And they have a feel that many typists prefer, thanks to the noticeable tactile bump.

Answer 24

businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 25

Clicky Switches

A variation of the tactile switch, a clicky switch makes a noticeable click at the bump. As you can imagine, these are the loudest of the mechanical keyboards, because every stroke results in a clicking sound. They’re reassuring for beginners who aren’t yet comfortable behind a keyboard and need additional feedback while typing. Some typists simply prefer the sound of clicky keyboards as well.

Answer 25

Source: businessinsider.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches

Question 26

A stabilizer is an essential keyboard component under the larger keys to prevent things such as tilting.

Answer 26

Source: switchandclick.com/stabilizer-guide

Question 27

There are three types of stabilizers, Costar, Optical, and Cherry.

Answer 27

Source: switchandclick.com/stabilizer-guide

Question 28

Cherry Stabilizers
Cherry-style stabilizers are the most common stabilizers out there. They are the preferred stabilizer type as they are easy to mod and have a lot of different options when it comes to mounting styles, colors, and material types.

Answer 28

Source: switchandclick.com/stabilizer-guide

Question 29

Costar stabilizers
Costar stabilizers are a less common stabilizer type, as they are primarily only found on older keyboards, although some newer keyboards may have them. Costar stabilizers are quite difficult to use and have to be hooked into the keycap to fit. Getting the stabilizer bar to insert properly into the keycap can be a frustrating and lengthy process.

Answer 29

Source: switchandclick.com/stabilizer-guide

Question 30

Optical Stabilizers
Optical stabilizers are typically only found on keyboards with optical switches, and have a funky design (such as the Razer Huntsman Mini). They have small clips that insert into the keycap that you snap into the stabilizer bar under the plate of the keyboard. There isn’t a good way to modify these stabilizers to improve them, although you could apply a small amount of lubricant to reduce the sound and rattle noises.

Answer 30

Source: switchandclick.com/stabilizer-guide