keyboard

The keyboard is the thing with all the letters and numbers on it and connects to the back of the computer in either one of two ways:

USB Connector

PS2 Connector

USB - this is also known as Plug And Play (or PNP). It's called Plug and Play because unlike most devices that you find on your computer, ie. graphics card, sound card, etc. it does not need a driver (a program or set of programs to tell the operating system what it is and how it works), you just plug it into the USB port and it is recognised by the computer and usable.

 

PS/2 - This type of connection is a round DIN type plug as shown on the right. As with the USB type you just plug it in and it is automatically recognised by the system, there is no need to install a driver for it.

 

There are effectively two types of keyboard, these are shown below.

Traditional Keyboard		Natural keyboard		Bendy keyboard

The Traditional keyboard is the original type that is modelled off the typewriter and you will find most commonly in use. It is a good robust design and works quite well. This is the type I prefer to use.

The Natural keyboard is somewhat different in that it tries ot immitate the natural position of the right and left hands in an effort to make it more comfortable to use. I have tried this type of keyboard and find it difficult and tricky to use effectively but some people will find it useful.

The Bendy keyboard was put in there as an example of how far keyboard design has gone, this keyboard bends, they also have luminescent keyboards, (if you wanted to find you keyboard in the dark, would you not have to eat tons of carrots), they also have waterproof ones, and a look round the Internet would probably bring a whole host of other novelty type keyboards to light.

There are no technical considerations when choosing a keyboard, just the colour, (will it go with my wall paper), the shape, and maybe the connection type, other than that they all work in the same way and do the same thing quite well.