Keyboard Generation

Have you heard? Cellular phone and laptop technologies advance at a rate of 8 months. Meaning, newer and more modern technology come out every 8 months. What does that have to do with us?

At the advent of technology, wherein we rely so much on technology -- so much so that we tend to neglect the most basic hardware we use practically every single day -- it is then important to take note of the all mighty.... KEYBOARD!!

..without which we wouldn't be able to get through anything in the internet. Including Facebook.

Despite popular belief, there are still other kinds of keyboards besides the ones used for desktop computers, laptops (if you consider this different from that used on desktops), and wireless keyboards (again, it depends if you think it's different from one that has a wire).


The TRADITIONAL Keyboard.

Yes. Let's go through the traditionaly keyboard, shall we? Or is there even a need for such "going through"? It is the most common type of keyboard in the entire known human existential universe, consisting of 102 keys MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. Shall we enumerate the keys?

`1234567890-=\
qwertyuiop[]
asdfghjkl;'
zxcvbnm,./

(this, by the way, is called the QWERTY system, in case you were wondering. May God have mercy on you and your stupid soul if you don't get why the hell it's called just that)

Of course, we'll have to count in the following as well: Esc, Tab, Caps Lock (2), Shift (2 also), ctrl (2), windows button (2; except for mac, i think), alt (2), the menu thingy button, backspace, enter, insert, home, delete, end, page up, page down, the four arrows, print screen SysRq, Scroll Lock, Pause Break, the very much handy NUM PAD, and buttons F1-f12.

It might seem a lot written down, but because we're so used to having a keyboard in front of us, we don't exactly have a grasp of how many keys there actually are. And this is why it's deemed THE MOTHER OF ALL KEYBOARDS, with most of its skeletal system and functions being retained by the ergonomic and the flexible keyboard. It allows for whatever button being pressed to input a specific letter, number, or symbol onto a screen.

Scientifically? The keyboard functions by means of electrical switches. Each key compresses an electrical switch, which closes an electrical circuit. This generates a keystroke signal, which is processed by the keyboard's onboard processing chip. This chip then converts the keystroke into what is known as a "scancode", and this scancode is transmitted to the computer, which then processes the scancode into either part of a system command or displays it in the curently selected text entry field -- all this happening right now as I type away.

The keyboard doesn't just come in QWERTY either. Computer keyboards are provided for in many different languages, ergo, many different layouts as well; but basically the skeleton and makeup of the keyboard is uniform.

Most popular keyboard manufactuers: Microsoft and Logitech
Leading provider: MAGTEK!!

For pictures on traditional keyboard:

Look down.

The FLEXIBLE Keyboard

Now here's an amazing take of the good 'ol traditional keyboard. Everything's the same, all the letters, numbers, EVERYTHING. Functions, commands, keys. EV-RY-TING.

Except for one:

It's makeup.

Virtually indestructible, silicon-based, flexible, spill proof, washable.

Even a wireless one is being developed now!

China and its wonders. All the top manufacturers come from the yellow country: Hongkong Foursea Tech Limited, Chengdu Aloon Sunshade Technical Development Co. LTD., China Victory International Enterprises LTD, and Shenzhen Topkeen Industry Co. LTD.

Just use it like a normal one. Only in the pool. Or in the shower. Or anywhere, for that matter!!

Don't believe me? CLICK HERE!

The ERGONOMIC Keyboard

A really funky take on the traditional keyboard. Did any of you know that by typing, we twist our wrists 30 and 60 degrees? Without even noticing it due to the normality that is typing on a traditional keyboard. Typists have complained about repetitive strain injuryand carpal tunnel syndrome because of this minute twisting. So what did PCD Maltron LTD decide to do? They established themselves in 1977 to make fully ergonomic keyboards.

It has a changed shape from that of the traditional keyboard, with its keys set in weird places, but suprisingly, it reduces the repetitive motions made by our wrists that cause strains. It allows for all the fingers, every single one, to make extensions and flexion movements (which means every key is within reach of at least one finger without need to do any twisting or moving whatsoever).

Same banana as the Traditional and Flexible keyboard, only better -- or at least for constant typist people. This weird-looking hardware should at least have one upside, and thank you for that!

Majority of ergonomic keyboard suppliers are also based in China: China Direct Exports Inc., Shenzhen Sunrise Industry Co., LTD. and the msot well known comes from Taiwan: EzKey Corp.

How does the weirdo look like?
Here.
And here!



SOURCES

http://www.safecomputingtips.com/ergonomic-computer-keyboard.html
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/kb/layout/nonErgo-c.html
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4829
http://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/posts/flexible_keyboard/
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2883
http://www.usbgeek.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=0194
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_kb.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_a_keyboard_work
http://www.maltron.com/maltron-history.html