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The
'qwerty' keyboard, named for obvious reasons when you take a
look at the top row, has been used by the vast majority of
keyboard users for over a century.
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Most keyboards are 'qwerty' layout
keyboard with 101 keys (including all number pad keys, arrows,
function keys and special characters).
Some quick facts about the
'QWERTY' layout:
- It was designed for typewriters
initially by Christopher Sholes all the way back in 1872!
- He purposely selected a
physical layout that was 'difficult'
to type, so that typing speeds would be
reduced! This was in an effort to reduce the jamming
of 'hammers' used to create individual letters.
- The QWERTY layout was never
changed when computers started hitting the market.
Secretaries and people using typewriters were used to the
old layout and even when other, more efficient layouts, have
been proven effective, the old layout has remained with us,
and will for many years.
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| Links
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About
Keyboards by the Tactus Corporation
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This is a great resource dealing
with the history of keyboards, keyboard design, form factor and
the mechanism of typing.
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| A
Summary
of Recent Research |
Effectiveness of Technology in Schools: comprehensive look at technology including some interesting
information about keyboarding and typing. A little
outdated but still much excellent relevant information. |
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Teaching Process Writing
with Computers. |
An
AskERIC collection with comprehensive information, articles,
research documents, ideas, reports and product
reviews. Revised Edition.
Boone, Randy, Ed.
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Keyboarding
Site
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Utah
State Office of Education
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