Input Devices

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers various keyboard types (Concept, Braille, Numeric, and Egonomic) and pointing devices from the lecture notes.

Concept keyboards

Keyboards used for making selections from a limited range of choices, commonly used in restraunts where operators touch an image and the computer responds according to the pressed keys.

Advantage of Concept keyboards

They are fast when making non-text Selections.

Disadvantage of Concept keyboards

This type is poor for text or numeric data entry.

Braille keyboard

A keyboard made up of a pattern of raised dots designed for the visually impared; some models also include colourful keyboards for those not totally blind.

Numeric keybord

A keyboard specifically used to enter numbers, though alphabetic characters can be entered by using the function key.

EPOS terminal

An electronic pointer of sell terminal where keypads are used for entering digits.

PINS

Personal identification-numbers inserted using keypads for cheap and pin credit or- debit cards.

Advantage of keypads

They are small, compact, and easy to corer when entering a pin.

Disadvantage of keypads

They can be too small for numbers to be used effectively and it is difficut to enter text.

Egonomic keyboard

A specilised keyboad designed to minimise repetative strain injury (RSI) to fingers by placing keys in a way that is easy to reach.

RSI

Repetative strain injury, which Egonomic keyboards attempt to minimise in the fingers.

Disadvantage of Egonomic keyboards

The different arrangement of keys makes it difficut for users to adjust, thereby preventing wide spread acceptance.

Mouse

A pointing input device used for menu selection and controlling the movement of the cursor on the screen in a GUI enviroment.

GUI

Graphical user interface, the environment specifically required for the use of a mouse.