Have you ever noticed that the F and J keys have a raised ridge? This is to allow users to position their hands correctly so that they can type without having to look at the keyboard. This is a skill particularly perfected by secretaries and writers (though I am typing this looking at the keyboard!!) The middle row of letters, which contain these keys, is called the ‘home row’. With the introduction of touch screen and mobile devices the art of touch typing is declining as many just use their thumb to type. Shortcuts on the computer can save you time.
One of the most common short cuts is CTRL-ALT-DEL, this is great if a programme has ‘crashed’ and you can no longer operate it as it will take you to a screen where you can choose to access the task manager (and force the programme to shut down). It also gives the options to lock the screen or switch users efficiently. ALT-F4 can be used to shut down a programme or the PC/tablet. Have you noticed that the FN key is a different colour to the other keys? And along the top line of keys there is an F & number below each icon? The FN key is used to work the various functions – sound, brightness etc. Beware when using the F5 key to refresh your web browser, it will deactivate your mouse (you need to press F5 again to get it back!) but CTRL-R will refresh the page.
Two shortcuts I use a lot are designed to copy areas of text or an image and then paste them into another document or design programme. To do this you select/highlight the text or image then press CTRL-C, go to the location you want it, click the area you want to insert it then press CTRL-V. CTRL-F is a really handy shortcut, it brings up a search bar in a document or web page, allowing you to search a vast amount of data for a single entry. The CTRL-Tab command allows you to jump between open tabs when using the internet, CTRL-T opens a new tab! Sometimes you may want to zoom in or out of a web page, this can be achieved by CTRL-+ to zoom in or CTRL- – to zoom out. (This function will not work in all design or word processing programmes.) CTRL-P is the shortcut to the print option. CTRL-D opens the bookmark window and CTRL-H displays your internet history. There are a myriad of other shortcuts available but be careful as three of the big search engines – Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer – don’t use all the same commands.
Nickie Baglow. Complete Computing.