Keyboard and mouse basics

This article is about the introduction of the keyboard

mouse PC item.

Using a keyboard

Whenever you use a desktop computer or laptop, you’ll probably use a

computer keyboard. The most common

kind is called a ‘QWERTY’ keyboard. QWERTY describes the top row of letters on the

keyboard.

What a keyboard looks like

A keyboard is for putting information including letters, words and numbers into your

computer. You press the individual buttons on the keyboard when you type.

The number keys across the top of the keyboard are also found on the right of the

keyboard.

The letter keys are in the centre of the keyboard.

The symbol keys to the right of the letters include symbols such as the question mark

and full stop.

The keys that surround the letters, numbers and symbol keys on the left, right and

bottom of the keyboard help you to choose where and how you type.

There are several types of keyboards, such as

gaming

mechanical keyboard, keyboard and so on.

Using the keys

When you open a document or click in a box to type, you will see a vertical flashing

line. This is the cursor, it shows you where you are about to start typing on a page or

screen.

Pressing the 'shift' key allows you to type capital letters and the symbols at

the top of the keys.

The 'shift' keys are on the left and right of the keyboard, with the arrow

pointing upwards.

For capital letters, hold down the 'shift' key and hold and type the letter.

For symbols at the top of a number key, press down the symbol key and then type the

symbol. You can use the 'shift' key to type any symbol at the top of a key.

The 'caps lock' key allows you to write in capital letters. To turn it on,

press it once and type. To turn it off, press it again.

Putting in spaces, moving your cursor and deleting text

The 'space bar' puts a space between words. Press it once to put in a

space.

The 'tab' key puts a bigger space between words. Press it once to put in a

space.

The 'enter' key moves your cursor down a line.

The 'arrow' keys allow you to move your cursor in all directions on the page or

screen - up, down, left and right.

To delete your typing you need to put your cursor to the right of a word. Press the

'backspace' button to delete your word. The cursor will move to the left and delete

as it goes.

Using a mouse

There are lots of different styles of

computer mouse, but most have a left and a right button.

To hold your mouse, rest your hand over it and put your index finger on the left button

and your thumb resting on the side. The cable needs to be pointing towards the computer.

The mouse needs to always be in contact with a mouse mat, desk or hard surface.

You use your mouse to move the cursor around the screen. The cursor changes, depending

on what you are doing on the computer. As an arrow you use it for moving and selecting

things, as a hand for clicking on links when you are on the internet and it becomes an

hourglass when you are waiting for the computer to do something.

Single clicking

You single click with the left mouse button to select things. Just quickly left click

and then let go of the button.

Double clicking

You double click with the left mouse button to open things, such as a folder. You need

to double click quickly, think about the ‘knock, knock’ you do on a door.

Drag and drop

Drag and drop is when you move something from one place to another. 

First select the item with the left mouse button and keep the button pressed down. Then

move the mouse and the item on screen will move with the cursor. When you have the cursor

and item in the position you want, release the left mouse button.

The item will now be dropped to where the cursor is positioned on the screen.

You use drag and drop to move things around your computer, such as files between

folders.

Right button

If you ever accidently click the right mouse button, a list of computer commands will

appear. To remove the list just move the mouse and single click the left button.

Laptop trackpad or touchpad

Laptops can have a built in mouse within the keyboard. This is operated by finger

touch. This specialised surface is used instead of a mouse and needs only very short finger

movements to move the cursor across the display screen.

Improve your computer skills

Why not develop your computer skills - there are courses for beginners and beyond.

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While the gaming keyboard mouse industry has almost completed its quest for true

gaming perfection, many of today’s gamers still find themselves asking that age-old

question – should I choose a wired or wireless gaming mouse?

It’s a question that has plagued many over the last couple of decades, with consumers

struggling to decide whether or not the benefits of wireless technology actually outweigh

the reduction in gaming performance they sadly lose.

That being said, thanks to huge leaps forward in technology, the gap between wired vs

wireless gaming mice has now become much less apparent. Today’s mice come

equipped with new technologies that offer Lightspeed connectivity and an almost unlimited

amount of battery life – making wireless gaming mice more popular than ever

before. Furthermore, wireless mice now bring fantastic gaming performance to the table that

really does give their wired alternatives a run for their money.

With the current batch of high-performance gaming mice giving consumers the ultimate

headache when deciding which one to choose, we thought we’d whip this article together

explaining the differences between wired and wireless gaming mice. We’ll be looking at the

main specifications that affect gaming performance, the main differences between the two

technologies, and whether or not you should choose wired or wireless for your next gaming

mouse purchase.

So, with that in mind, let’s waste no further time and dive straight into it

THE BEST WIRED OR WIRELESS GAMING HEADSETS TO BUY

If you’re shopping for a gaming headset, you have a lot of options. While there are some

great ones out there, it’s easy to pay too much, to accidentally purchase a headset that

doesn’t work with your desired console or platform, or to get one that’s just

uncomfortable. Knowing a thing or two about headphones might aid in your search,

but gaming headsets have only gotten more complicated to shop for — especially the

wireless ones.

For instance, wireless headsets made for Xbox operate without a dongle via Microsoft’s

proprietary wireless protocol. They’ll only work on Xbox consoles or a PC that has one of

Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Adapters plugged in, in most cases. Conversely, if you get a

multiplatform wireless headset that includes a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, it’ll likely work

on the likes of the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch (when plugged into the console’s TV dock),

and PC — but not Xbox. It’s best to buy the headset that mentions support for your

preferred platform(s) explicitly, or else there’s a good chance you’ll run into some

compatibility issues. Of course, you can eliminate most of the guesswork by buying a wired

gaming headset instead.

This guide focuses on newer options that you’re more likely to encounter at stores as

opposed to older models that, while possibly still being worthy of your money, are often

tougher to find affordably and easily online. Also, just to mention it at the top, I have a

large-ish head and that factor obviously played a major role in how I judge the comfort of

these headsets.

You’ll find a few categories below, including the best multiplatform wireless

headsets that are compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch via its dock,

the best Xbox wireless gaming headsets, the best PlayStation wireless gaming

headsets, and the best wired gaming headsets that support the widest variety of

platforms, from console controllers to phones, tablets, and VR headsets that feature a

3.5mm headphone jack.

If you have ever found yourself searching for a new pair of headsets,

you have encountered the overwhelming variety of choice that you

are nowadays faced with. Over-the-ear, on-the-ear, noise-cancelling,

wireless, wired… the market seems to be oversaturated with terms, that needs further

clarification.

So, how to choose the best headset?

To start with, there is no such thing as the best

headset. Rather, it all depends on your usage and needs. How much

time you spend on the phone, what kind of job you do, whether you work in an

open office or what type of phone you’re using – all of these factors

will influence your choice.

But let’s take one step at a time and focus on how to choose

between wired and wireless headsets in the first place. For

that purpose, we will need to look at different work styles, as they play a key

role in your choice between wired and wireless headsets.

If you spend most of your time at your desk, you are probably what is

generally defined as desk worker. You are often on calls with

customers, colleagues or other stakeholders. You probably use desk

phones most, but Microsoft Teams or Skype for

Business are also part of your daily routine. For you, clear audio has

the utmost importance – there is no place for questions

like “What? Could you repeat, please?”. Perceiving the slightest change in

the tone of voice of your caller can make a great difference in your

job. You don’t want to worry about your equipment – it should work

easily and instantly, allowing you to simply focus on the call and the

customer.

If you find this description to be an accurate representation of your workstyle

and needs, you will then be satisfied with 

wired headset.

Wired headsets often offer a higher definition audio quality than

wireless headsets, while also minimizing the risk of interferences that can

happen with wireless signals. This guarantees perfectly clear audio. At the same

time, being plug-and-play, wired headsets can be put in use in no time –

avoiding wasting precious seconds in setting up and connecting your device.

But what if you would consider yourself a road warrior instead?

 You spend most of your time on-the-go – in your car, on

public transport – running around

to different meetings in the city. Being able to make use of the

time you have in between meetings is of extreme importance to you. That is why

you need a device that enables you to easily take calls from

both, your PC and mobile, in the office and on-the-road. You need to be able to

move quickly between working situations, while still hearing and being heard

clearly.

Or maybe you’re a corridor worker. You spend most of your time working in

the office, both at your desk and in meetings. You walk a lot around

the office building, and you need a device that allows you to talk

while freely roaming office corridors.

In both cases, a wireless headset would be more suitable for you.

Office headset

 give you the freedom to move as you like, walking or even running around

without the risk of getting tangled in any cords – and still being able

to hear and be heard perfectly. And with most devices nowadays being Bluetooth-

enabled, you will be able to easily connect your wireless headset to

both, your mobile and PC.