Right from writing an email to codes for a software and chatting with your friends on various messengers, keyboards are used for multitudes of purposes. From typewriters to modern day PC and touch-based devices, QWERTY has always been the chosen layout. If you think about it, half of the modern technology wouldn’t have existed if it weren’t for the programmes written with the help of keyboards. Here are a few cool facts about keyboards.
Commands From Keyboards are Processed Faster than Those From a Mouse
Giving commands using the keyboard is faster than using your mouse, and this isn’t because pointing and clicking on something will take more time than keyboard strokes. But because the operating system doesn’t have to process extra information like the coordinates of the pointer while executing a command inputted via a keyboard. Other than that, operating systems can queue keyboard commands with ease as opposed to mouse commands which need a specific task to be on-screen for the user to be able to click it and the OS to process it.
Keystrokes Can be Tracked by Hackers
Hackers could be monitoring every key stroke that you make via Keylogger malware. If your device has been infected by a keylogger programme then your data, especially login credentials as well as credit/debit card and bank details are at risk. In order to safeguard against Keyloggers, you can either use an Antilogging software or use a sandboxed browser which would protect you from remote keylogging attacks until it is executed via a plugged-in device.
There are More Efficient Keyboard Layouts than QWERTY
QWERTY has been in use for more than a century but lately, its application in the current world is questioned as other keyboard layouts, which apparently stress your fingers less while typing, are available in the market. Makers of Colemak and Dvorak keyboard layouts have claimed that fingers travel lesser on their respective keyboards, while the user also gains typing speed and as a result, there is a reduction in the muscle tear caused. Using Colemak or Dvorak isn’t feasible because that would require training a person completely — and even changing the muscle memory in most cases. Almost the entire world uses QWERTY and even though Colemak and Dvorak might be healthier options, their adaptability in the current situation is a long shot.
Mystery Bumps on the F and J Keys
Have you even noticed that a majority of the QWERTY keyboards have a slight bump on the F and J keys — a short horizontal line. These bumps are made for ease of use for typists. If you place your left-hand index finger on F and right-hand index finger on J, then either of your thumbs will rest on the space bar and the remaining three fingers will cover the ‘A S D’ and ‘K L .’ keys. This helps in the recognition of the keys in dark, or if you’re looking at the screen while typing.
Every 10000 Words Typed = 1 Mile Travelled by the Fingers
According to this website, every 10000 words typed by a user on a QWERTY keyboard is equivalent to his fingers having travelled 1 mile. The algorithm used to determine this isn’t foolproof, as the distance also depends on variable factors such as a person’s typing style and skill. Colemak and Dvorak keyboards make the fingers travel less in the same amount of words, according to the findings of the same website.
Keyboards are Filthier than Toilets
Keyboards are one of the most unhygienic things that we touch every day — yes, even filthier than our toilet bowls. They aren’t just filthy by nature, but mostly because people are in the habit of neglecting their own hygiene while using a keyboard. People don’t mind using their keyboard without cleaning it every once in a while or even cleaning their own hands before using one — resulting in a lot of debris accumulating on the keyboard base as well as the smudge on keys. Do you know any other fun facts? Let us know in the comments down below.
