Input-Devices

Input devices are those things that allow you to enter information into your computer. Lets start with the most obvious such as:

Keyboards

These are pretty obvious, you enter information, by typing into your computer! Right? Well, let's look at the various type of keyboards:

Standard Keyboard	Ergonomic Keyboard
Gaming Keyboard	Wireless Keyboard

Most computers come with a standard keyboard, with a plug-in to a PS-2 connection. In recent years, these have a USB connection. However some people have opted for an ergonomic keyboard, which is designed to be "more comfortable". Then, there is the gaming keyboard, which has features that avid gamers find useful.

Finally, there is the "wireless keyboard", which frequently includes a "wireless mouse".

For most of us, a standard keyboard is good enough, they are also cheap ($10-20). An ergonomic keyboard is not much more, ($20-40).

Gaming keyboards are usually $50 and up,

Wireless keyboards are nice, as they allow you to clear up desk space. However, they tend to "chew up" batteries every few months!

To add or change keyboards on your computer, only requires drivers that are shipped with the device.

Keyboards can be purchase at local stores such as Walmart, Staples, Office Depot, etc, or on-line, such as TigerDirect (which I use a lot.)

TigerDirect - link for Keyboards and Mice

I haven't found where to buy this keyboard! If you find it, I need to buy it!

Mouse (Mice) and Trackballs

Standard Mouse	Gaming Mouse
Wireless Mouse	Trackball

The mouse is the standard of "Pointing Devices. Most of us have a "wired" mouse, and the older ones have a PS-2 connection, where bending pins is altogether too easy to do! In recent years, USB connections have been around, which I like better, because of ease of maintenance. Now, there are quite a few people who have wireless mice, that are very convenient, even if they eat batteries!

The Trackball is paticularly good for some seniors, as they can help when you have some Hand-Eye coordination difficulties. For some, a trackball is more intuitive than a mouse. The benefit is that you can move the pointer to your target, and then with a separate action, "click", without moving the pointer. Very frequently, some people move the mouse, when they try to "click".

Gaming Mice usually have extra buttons for guns, lasers, etc. Gamers are very serious about their computer, and that have a lot of special input devices!

To add or change mice, only requires the drivers that are shipped with the device.

TigerDirect - link for Keyboards and Mice

There is such a thing! Isn't there?

Joystick

The next most popular input device is the joystick. It is mostly used for games, though a few people prefer them instead of a mouse! These are similar to what pilots use in an aircraft. They are very intuitive, and are a pointing device like a mouse. They also have other buttons, that can be used as guns, for an airplane or tank in games.

Joysticks on older computers used a serial port, and the drivers shipped with the device. New joysticls use a USB port, which is standard on almost all computers. Software required is shipped with the device.

Joysticks are commonly used in conjunction with a keyboard and mouse.

Joystick Link to TigerDirect

Graphics Tablet

Graphic tablets are commonly used by artists, architects, graphic designers, etc for drawing images. They can be used with a mouse, or instead of a mouse. They are very precise, and can be used like a pencil. For more info click on graphic tablets.

Do I need special software to use a graphics tablet?

Is an Ipad a Graphic Tablet?

No. An Ipad is a really neat alternative to a laptop, it is a not a precision input device, such as a graphics tablet. The only similarity is the name.

Scanners

Photo Scanner	Scanner-Keyboard Combo
Flat Bed Scanner	Barcode Scanner

Most of my customers use the scanner that comes with their printer, and you don't really think of it as an input device. But, it does read information from a page, and can input that to your computer! Normally, you need some program(s), to process this input. Most scanners come with various utilities for processing the scanned input. You can also use other utilites to edit the input. You can change the brightness, size, remove "red-eye", change contrast, etc. These utilities are known as Photo Editors.

Scanner software is usually shipped with the printer or scanner. PC Paint can accept images from a scanner, as can most photo-editting programs.

There are other scanners available, such as barcode scanners, slide film scanners, very small travel scanners, etc. The combo scanner/keyboard is designed mainly as a space saver, for someone who needs a scanner frequently. You see that in Doctor's office, where they need to scan Medicare and/or insurance documents.

Note: Smartphones are now being used as scanners! They can scan barcodes, documents even pitures! It takes apps to do it. One of the popular ways to find these, is to go to your favorite apps store (Apple, Google, etc) or just search for it (Google, Bing). Once you have it, it sure is handy! Norm

Take a look at the TigerDirect link below, to see what alternatives there are!

TigerDirect page for scanners

Web Cam

Of course, a web cam is an input device! This is a way of inputting an image into your computer. It is a motion camera, as opposed to a still camera (digital camera). For more details, click on Web Cam

Software needed is usually shipped with the device.

Digital camera

A digital camera is also an input device, actually one of my favorites! Still pictures can be very high quality, and frequently are! Some of my best pictures were taken as snapshops, and little photographic skill! They were just the right shot at the right time! This is because we carry a digital camera everywhere, when on vacation, or even a short trip somewhere. Add to that, we have cellphones with camera built in, so we have cameras with us a lot! You can get some fantastic unposed pictures, when you just click away with your digital camera. (remember, you are not paying for film!),

Windows XP normally can accept pictures from most digital camera. Digital cameras also ship necessary software with the device. However, you may need to buy photo editting software to get rid of "red eye", resize photos, etc. There are many inexpensive packages, as well as some good free ones!

for a good choice of free editors see Free Photo Edit Software

For more details click on digital cameras.

Hard Drives are also input devices, though we may think they are in a different class, because they are Input/Ouput Devices. They are the "Filing Cabinet" for your computer. Today, they are typically 250 GB or larger.

Internal Hard Drive	External Hard Drive
CD/DVD Drive	USB Flash Drive

Other high speed drives are CD DVD Drives (Optical Drives), External Hard Drive and USB Flash drives.