input and output devices

use of keyboards

for inputting data, typing in commands

advantages of keyboards

fast entry of text, well known, easy to use

disadvantages of keyboards

can be difficult to use for RSI, slow method to DDE, large devices

numeric keypad uses

ATMs, passwords, POS

advantages of numeric keypads

faster for typing numbers, easy to carry around

disadvantages of numeric keypads

small keys making input difficult, order of numbers is not intuitive

uses of mouse

for anything software related (moving things, opening things etc)

advantages of mouses

faster method for choosing an option, quick for navigating, doesn’t need as much space

disadvantages of mouses

difficult for RSI, easy to damage, difficult to use with no flat surface

uses of touch pad

similar to mouse, anything related to software

advantages of touchpad

same as mouse, no need to buy seperate mouse (portability)

disadvantages of a touchpad

hard for people with RSI, difficult to control pointer, more difficult for some operations

use of tracker balls

good alt for RSI, used in industrial control room environment, used in some luxury cards

advantages of a trackerball

does not need the same fine control, easier to use for RSI, more robust

disadvantages of trackerball

not supplied with computers (costly), user may need training

uses of remote control

televisions, control multimedia systems, industrial applications

advantages of remote control

can be operated from any reasonable distance

disadvantages of remote control

hard for RSI, easy to block signal

joystick uses

video/computer games, simulator

advantages of joystick

easier than a keyboard to navigate, control is more realistic in some applications

disadvantages of joystick

more difficult to control

uses of driving wheel

video games, simulators

advantages of driving wheel

easier than a keyboard to control, driving experience is similar

disadvantages of driving wheel

rather expensive, too sensitive, feedback is non existent

uses of touch screen (input)

self service, ATMs, public information systems

advantages of touch screens

faster entry of options, user friendly, very easy

disadvantages of touch screens

limited number of input options, RSI can happen, spreading infection

use of scanners

scan in documents, protecting originals, scanning barcodes

advantages of scanners

things can be stored for editing, faster and accurate than typing in documents, possible to recover damaged documents

disadvantages of scanners

quality can be limited, fairly slow