Complete details about keyboard

KEYBOARD:-
                                           

                        keyboard is a typewriter-style device, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Keyboard is a part of computer that has keys through which the computer receives commands to perform a task. Keyboard a least thought about part of a computer is an amazing piece of technology. For instance, do you know that the keyboard on a typical computer system is actually a computer itself? At its essence, a keyboard is a series of switches connected to a microprocessor that monitors the state of each switch and initiates a specific response to a change in that state.
                      A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys and each press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence. While most keyboard keys produce letters,numbers or signs (characters), other keys or simultaneous key presses can produce actions or computer commands.

Different types of keyboards:-

                                 Keyboards have changed very little in layout since their introduction. In fact, the most common change that a keyboard witnessed has simply been the natural evolution of adding more keys that provide additional functionality. A typical keyboard has four basic types of keys:

1. Typing keys
2. Numeric keys 
3. Function keys
4. control keys 

                                          A normal computer keyboard is composed of around 110 keys. Although on the basis of key arrangements there are four major layouts being used worldwide, QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ and HCESAR, but they can be classified in many more different categories depending on types of computer connector, size, number of keys etc.  Among the various types listed below, keyboards can be based on multiple types. For instance, an ergonomic keyboard can have a PS2 interface and be an internet keyboard too.

ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD:-
                                
                                        Ergonomic keyboard is a computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations to minimize muscle strain and a host of related problems. Typically such keyboards are constructed in a V shape, to allow right and left hands to type at a slight angle more natural to the human form.

                           The artifact of this keyboard is slightly broader and different in shape, when compared with the normal keyboard. In this key board certain space will be existing between the two sets of keys and the countered shape of this key board allow the users to place their hands in the natural position to type. These key boards are mostly used by the people who often work with the key board as their usage is easier and is less stressful for the wrist. The following figure: Ergonomic keyboard shows how the set of keys are separated with gaps in between.

ADB  Keyboard:-

                        ADB(Apple Desktop Bus) is  refers to a special type of port which is enabled in some computers such as Apple computers. The ADB key boards can be connected only to the ADB jack enabled computers, but with the use of the adapter, the ADB key boards can also be inserted over a USB port. It is a bit-serial computer bus connecting low-speed devices to computers. Used primarily on the Macintosh platform, ADB equipment is still available but not supported by most Apple hardware manufactured since 1999.

XT:-

        XT is nothing bus a X-tented Technology. An obsolete type, these keyboards only support the older computers such as IBM 8086/8088, XT-286. Not supported by present computers, keyboards are much larger than the modern keyboards and the “Enter” key is backward-”L” shaped.

PS/2 Keyboard:-

                  The PS/2(Personal System) connector is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987. In the late 1990, most of the computers are integrated with standard PS/2 connector, rather than USB ports, there by the keyboards used for these computers are usually round pin that fits into the PS/2 keyboard jack. For this reason these keyboards are named as PS/2 keyboards.

MINI PS/2 Keyboard:-

                              The MINI PS/2 keyboards are very small in size and are compatible with the PS/2 computers. This keyboards are resembles the laptop keyboard and it is square in shape. This keyboard is composed of fewer key and do not have detach numeric keypad.

MULTIMEDIA Keyboard:-

                            The multimedia keyboard is specially designed for the people who are much into multimedia designing. This keyboard is just like the standard key board, but composed of additional keys for the multimedia purposes such as multimedia application launch, volume control and mute button.

 INTERNET Keyboard:-

                     The Internet keyboards are designed for wider range of multimedia applications, these keyboards are specially designed for the intense Internet user. The special keys included in this keyboard are the home key, back and forward key, e-mail launch key, and browser launch key etc. these keys carry out the same functionality as of the buttons on the webpage. In order  use these extra keys the computer must be embedded with right operating system.

WIRELESS Keyboard:-

                         A wireless keyboard, the name itself doles the meaning that this keyboard can be operated without addresing a wired connection to the processor. The wireless keyboards are also referred as Cordless keyboards; these keyboards require batteries to provide the electricity which usually delivered through a PS/2 or USB cable. “AA” or “AAA” batteries are most widely used standard batteries for wireless keyboards.  Apple Macs are known to revolutionize the wireless keyboard by making them thinner than the wired ones. These keyboards usually work at 2.4 GHz frequency and come with a dongle that connects and makes them communicate with the computer.

GAMING Keyboard:-

               As the name suggest, gaming keyboards are those who are into gaming and need easy access to the keys that are usually utilized in gaming. These keyboards are composed of particular gaming-oriented features such as key lighting, programmable keys, and/or extra controls of volume and brightness. These keyboards are available in wired and wireless, in case if wired, it usually supports the USB port.

MEMBRANE Keyboard:-

               Membrane keyboards are one of the keyboard types, which are used very rarely. The keys integrated in this keyboard are non-moving pressure-sensitive keys. The keys in this keyboard are so close, so that there is no scope for spilling liquids into the keyboard.  Such keyboard types are also used in mobile phones and old landline phones.

             Keyboards are slowly being incorporated into touch screens that are being widely incorporated in various phones and tablet computers. Named as touch screen keyboards, these are virtual keyboard units have a QWERTY and numeric appearance so that message typing and number calling are quite easy. Also, gaming consoles that provide social networking such as the PlayStation 3 have an on-screen keyboard which can be accessed by user joystick.

Latest keyboards(In 2013):-

                
                                   Gaming computers are designed to enhance and refine your gaming experience. No game requires a quality keyboard that is built specifically for gaming, but your performance in the most modern games can be improved with one. People who play games that require a lot of speed or APM (Actions Per Minute), like an RTS (Real Time Strategy) or FPS (First-Person Shooter), can really benefit from a quick, responsive gaming keyboard. They're also great for games that require a lot of micromanaging or lengthy sequences of actions, because you can set custom macros that will do the job for you.

   RAZER BLACKWIDOW ULTIMATE 2013:-
                  

                                   
                                       Full Mechanical Keys for Superior Tactility and Faster Response:-
The Razer BlackWidow’s mechanical key technology provides a distinctive tactile feedback in form of a light pronounced tap to your fingers giving you an entirely new feel on your keyboard. With its optimized actuation force of 50g and a reduced actuation distance of 2 mm the Razer BlackWidow’s keys allow you to the actuate your commands faster than on any other standard gaming keyboard.