IT 223 (Part 1)

• Interaction is a process of information transfer.
• Input devices are hardware components that allow users to interact with a computer by providing data or commands.
• Output devices are hardware components that present information processed by the computer to users in a perceivable form.
• A keyboard is an input device consisting of a set of individual keys that you press to input letters, numbers, symbols, and commands to a computer or other devices.
• A keyboard is the primary tool for typing text and is used for various tasks, from writing documents to navigating interfaces and executing specific functions.
• QWERTY Keyboard is the standard keyboard layout used in most English-speaking countries.
• QWERTY Keyboard is named after the first six letters in the top alphabetic line of the keyboard.
• The alphabetic keyboard layout, where keys are arranged alphabetically (A-Z), represents an intuitive approach to keyboard design, especially for users who may not be familiar with the more common QWERTY layout.
• The alphabetic keyboard layout can be particularly beneficial in contexts where ease of use and simplicity are prioritized over typing speed and efficiency.
• The DVORAK keyboard is an alternative keyboard layout designed to increase typing speed and efficiency while reducing finger movement and fatigue.
• The DVORAK keyboard achieves this by placing the most frequently used letters in the English language on the home row, where the fingers naturally rest, and by distributing letters in such a way as to encourage alternation between hands.
• The DVORAK keyboard layout contrasts with the traditional QWERTY layout, aiming to optimize typing for the ergonomics of human hands.
• A chord keyboard is an input device that enables users to input data by pressing multiple keys simultaneously, similar to playing a chord on a musical instrument.
• The method of the chord keyboard allows for the generation of different characters or commands through combinations of keys, rather than pressing each key individually.
• Chord keyboards are designed for efficiency and can be used in environments where space is limited or for specialized applications, such as stenography or assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities.
• Phone pads refer to the numeric keypads found on traditional telephones and some mobile devices.
• Phone pads are arranged in a 3x4 grid, with numbers from 1 to 9 laid out in ascending order over three rows, starting from the top. The bottom row typically includes the 0, asterisk (*), and hash (#) keys.
• Handwriting recognition technology allows computers to interpret and convert handwritten text into digital form.
• Handwriting recognition technology serves as an alternative or complementary input method to traditional keyboards, offering enhanced accessibility, user preference for natural input, and integration into digital workflows.
• Handwriting recognition technology supports diverse user needs and preferences, facilitating a more intuitive and flexible approach to digital interaction.
• Speech recognition technology allows computers to interpret and transcribe spoken language into text.
• Speech recognition technology provides a hands-free method of interaction with digital devices, enhancing accessibility for users with disabilities, supporting multi-tasking, and enabling voice commands for a variety of applications.
• Speech recognition technology underpins virtual assistants, dictation software, and voice-controlled devices, offering an intuitive and efficient alternative to traditional keyboard inputs.
• Mouse is a hand-held device used to point, click, and drag objects on the screen, translating the physical movement of the user's hand into cursor movement on the display.
• A trackball is similar to a mouse, but instead of moving the entire device, the user manipulates a large ball housed in a stationary base to move the cursor.