Traditional Keyboard

Traditional keyboard

A keyboard is an input device, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as electronic switches. A keyboard typically has characters 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, other keys or simultaneous key presses can produce actions or computer commands such as the ALT + CTRL + DEL command for windows.

Leading keyboard providers include IBM, Logitech, and Dell. There are also many generic branded keyboards which are available on the market. In normal usage, the keyboard is used to type text and numbers into a word processor, text editor or other program. Keyboards are also used for computer gaming, either with regular keyboards or by using keyboards with special gaming features, which can speed up frequently used key combinations.

References:

http://www.bizrate.com/computer-keyboards/refine__att--259__att259--more.html. Accessed on Aug 4, 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_(computing). Accessed on Aug 4, 2009

Picture from:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Computer_keyboard_Danish_layout.svg