UNIT 2
DATA ENTRY AND KEYBOARDING SKILLS
1. What are the various types of keys available on a computer keyboard?
Alphanumeric Keys
Include the alphabet keys and number keys.
Punctuation keys
Keys associated with punctuation such as comma (,),
period (.), semicolon (;), brackets ([ ]), parenthesis ({ }] and
so on.
Function keys
Special keys labeled F1 to F12.They have different meaning
depending on which program is running.
Toggle keys
Combination keys
(i) Caps Lock key – When activated, causes all alphabetic
characters to be uppercase.
(ii) Num Lock – To enable and disable the numeric keypad.
(i) Shift or Alt keys – To move the cursor in more than one
position at a time
(ii) Ctrl key – It performs special operation with the
combination of other keys.
Arrow keys
Left , Right, Up, Down arrows
Backspace key
Deletes the character to the left of the cursor.
Delete key
Deletes the character to the right of the cursor.
Enter/Return key
Esc key
Used to enter commands or to move the cursor to the
beginning of the next line.
To send special codes to devices and to exit from programs
and tasks.
2. Differentiate between Home keys and Guide keys
Home keys
Guide keys
Home keys are A, S, D and F are
for the left hand and ;, L, K, and
J for the right hand.
They are keys in the middle row
of the keyboard that form the
base position of fingers when
typing.
On numeric keypad, middle row
keys 4, 5 and 6 are the home
keys.
Keys‘F’ and ‘J’ are called guidekeys for
left and right hand, respectively.
Both contain a small raised tangible
mark with the help of which the touch
typist can place the fingers correctly on
the home keys.
On numeric keypad, key ‘5’ is the guide
key.
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3. What happen when a key is pressed from the keyboard?
When a key is pressed, electrical signals are transmitted to a micro-controller in a
coded form to the computer describing the character which corresponds to that key.
4. What do you understand by Guide Keys? Name the Guide keys of a
(i)
computer keyboard
(ii)
typewriter
Those keys which help in the placement of fingers on Home keys is called guide key.
They have a small raised tangible mark with the help of which the touch typist can
place the fingers correctly on the home keys.
(i) On a computer keyboard, keys ‘F’ and ‘J’ are called guide keys for left and right hand,
respectively.
(ii) The guide keys of a typewriter are space bar, shift key, arrow keys and enter key.
5. Explain the role of typing ergonomics.
Typing ergonomics provides logistic support for efficient and effective typewriting.
They are important to attain and maintain accuracy and speed. Some of these factors
included are as given below.
i.
Sitting posture - While operating the computer keyboard, sit straight,slightly
bending your neck forward.
ii.
Position of hands - Put your forearms at level with the keyboard and palms
down
iii.
Monitor placement - Do not bend your neck while working on the monitor and
keep the upper border of screen at eye level.
iv.
Mouse and keyboard placement - Keep the keyboard and mouse together at
an approximate distance of 20 cms, which will help in smooth and effortless
operation of keyboard.
v.
Chair and table placement - Adjust computer chair and table to an optimal
height. The chair of the computer user must be supportive to his/her lower
back.
vi.
Placement of matter to be typed - Place the matter for typing to the left or
right side of the keyboard
6. What is Touch typing technique?
In this technique, the typing is done using all the fingers to sense the keys for typing
without looking at them on the keyboard.
Touch typing improves typing speed and accuracy.
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7.
Why the use of various typing software is common now-a-days?
There are many typing software’s available which are free of cost and are
customised to learn typing efficientlyand effectively.
It is designed to learn typing skills on the computer.
8. Explain the colour indication in typing software.
In Rapid Typing tutor, the colour indication is as follows:
• Green letters denote right inputs.
• Yellow letters stand for right inputs exceedingthe acceptable
timeframe.
• Red letters denote wrong inputs within the acceptable timeframe.
• Orange letters indicate wrong inputs exceeding the acceptable
timeframe.
9. Mention the finger allocation of keys of the Bottom Row of computer keyboard.
-
Z
X
C
V
B
N
M
,
.
LF
RF
MF
IF
IF
IF
IF
MF
RF
LF
A
S
D
F
G
H
J
K
L
;
LF
RF
MF
IF
IF
IF
IF
MF
RF
LF
Q
W
E
R
T
Y
U
I
O
P
LF
RF
MF
IF
IF
IF
IF
MF
RF
LF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
LF
RF
MF
IF
IF
IF
IF
MF
RF
LF
LF Little finger
RF Ring finger
MF  Middle finger
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First row/Bottom row
Second row/Home row
Third row/Upper row
Fourth row/Number row
IFIndex finger