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WHAT
IS INPUT?
Input is
any data or instructions you enter into the memory of a
computer. Once input is in memory, the CPU can
access it and process the input into output. Four
types of input are data, programs, commands, and user
responses:
i) Data is
a collection of unorganized facts that can include
words, numbers, pictures, sounds, and videos.
ii) A program is
a series of instructions that tells a computer how to
perform the tasks necessary to process data into
information.
INPUT DEVICES
An
input device is any hardware component that allows you
to enter data, programs, commands, and user responses
into a computer. Input devices include the
keyboard, pointing devices, scanners and reading
devices, digital cameras, audio and video input devices
for physically challenged user. Each of these
input devices is discussed in the following pages.
GRAPHICS TABLET
A graphics
tablet, also called a digitizer or digitizing tables,
consists of a flat, rectangular, electronic plastic bond
used to input drawings, sketches, or other graphical
data. Each location on the graphical tablet corresponds
to a specific location on the screen.
CAMERA
Digital camera allows you to take pictures and store the
photographed images digitally instead of on traditional
film. With some digital cameras, you down load,
or transfer a copy of, the stored pictures to your
computer by connecting a cable between the digital
camera and your computer and using special software
included with the camera.
MOUSE
The
mouse is the most widely used pointing device because it
takes full advantage of a graphical user interface.
Designer to fit comfortably under the palm of your hand,
a mouse is
an input device that is used to control the movement of
the pointer on the screen and to make selections from
the screen. She top of the mouse has
one to four buttons.
SCANNERS
Scanners have become an important part of the home
office over the last few years. Scanner technology
is everywhere and used in many ways:
Ø Flatbed
scanners,
also called desktop scanners, are the most versatile
and commonly used scanners. In fact, this article
will focus on the technology as it relates to
flatbed scanners.
Microtel's Scan maker flatbed scanner
KEYBOARD TYPES
A standard computer keyboard sometimes is called a
QWERTY keyboard because of the layout of its typing
area. Pronounced KWER-tee, this keyboard layout is
named after the first six leftmost letters on the
top alphabetic line of the keyboard. Because of the
way the keys are organized, a QWERTY keyboard might
limit your typing speed. A keyboard with an
alternative layout was designed to improve typing
speed. Called the Dvorak keyboard (pronounced
de-vor-zhak),
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