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Difference between revisions of "Keyboard"

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==Misc. Features==
 
==Misc. Features==
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{{Image|LCD Panels middleware - G19 Game Panel.jpg|In-game Map displayed on [[LCD panels middleware#Logitech G|Logitech G19 GamePanel]].}}
 
There are some other features that manufacturers will add to gaming keyboards. LED backlights can illuminate each key, and in some cases change the color of the backlight.  
 
There are some other features that manufacturers will add to gaming keyboards. LED backlights can illuminate each key, and in some cases change the color of the backlight.  
 
{{mm}} List of games supporting [[RGB lighting middleware]].
 
{{mm}} List of games supporting [[RGB lighting middleware]].

Revision as of 11:59, 10 July 2020

The keyboard is a primary method on input for PC gaming, and computing in general. Keyboards can some with a PS/2 connector or a USB 2.0 connector, but only USB are widespread use today. Keyboards provide numerous buttons for the gamer to use, where each button is given a separate function based on the game being played. It is also used for text chat in games that support it. All keyboards come with a minimum ~104 keys, with gaming keyboards providing more.

Common Shortcuts

There are several keyboard shortcuts/combinations that all PC gamers should know.

Windows OS X Linux
Quit Alt + F4 Cmd + Q or Cmd + Shift + Esc
Force Quit / Task Manager Ctrl+Alt+Del or Ctrl+Shift+Esc Shift + Esc
Find Ctrl + F Cmd + F

Alt+F4 Pressing Alt+F4 is used to close the open game or active window. Most games will respond to this shortcut and close the game, but some games may disregard this shortcut.

Ctrl+Alt+Del On windows computers, this combo will bring up the Windows Security Menu. From there, you can then choose from several choices including Task Manager, Log Off, Change Password, etc. Games that may have stopped responding will respond to this combo, allowing you to access the Task Manager to kill it off. Games that do not allow you to Alt+F4 out of them will respond to this combo, allowing you to exit the game this way.

Ctrl+Shift+Esc On windows computers, this combo will open up the Task Manager, bypassing the need to Ctrl+Alt+Del. Like Ctrl+Alt+Del, most programs will allow you to open the task manager in this manner, even if the program has stopped responding.

Ctrl+F Although not particularly useful in game, Ctrl+F opens up the search function for whatever window you have open. For example, in most modern browsers, pressing this shortcut will bring up the search box, and any words you type in the box will be searched for on that web page. This can be very handy for finding something in long documents, like a game walkthrough.

Additional Buttons

Most gaming keyboards feature additional buttons beyond the standard number. Depending on the included software, these buttons can serve as additional buttons to be mapped to or as a Macro.

Key Rollover

One feature of most modern gaming keyboards is Many Key Rollover. Key Rollover is when you press multiple keys at the same time but some of those keys do not register. For example, in the PC version of GTA: San Andreas one of the driving school missions required you to press 5 different buttons simultaneously to perform a task. On most nongaming keyboards, one of the key presses would not register, preventing 100% completion.

Most gaming keyboards have some form of Many Key Rollover, which aims to detect as many simultaneous key presses as possible, depending on the circuitry layout.

PS/2 keyboards have the capacity for full N Key Rollover, meaning you can press as many buttons as you want and the keyboard will always recognize your key presses. This is the main reason that some prefer PS/2 over USB.

Misc. Features

In-game Map displayed on Logitech G19 GamePanel.
In-game Map displayed on Logitech G19 GamePanel.

There are some other features that manufacturers will add to gaming keyboards. LED backlights can illuminate each key, and in some cases change the color of the backlight.

List of games supporting RGB lighting middleware.

Some manufacturers have added a small liquid crystal display to their keyboards, allowing you to show system info or game statistics (depending on the software). Some high end and concept keyboards can even feature additional buttons with built in displays, allowing you to set the icon that each button displays.

List of games supporting LCD panels middleware.

Some keyboards feature a USB plug or the mic and headset ports. These can allow for faster setup, or better accessibility.

Ergonomic Keyboards

There is a subset of keyboards intended to ease the strain of typing by dividing the keyboard and adjusting the shape to improve typing position. These ergonomic keyboards differ from other keyboards by being "bent" in the middle, with the keys divided into two sides. Due to the change in position of the keys, typing on an ergonomic keyboard takes practice, and feels different from a standard keyboard layout. Due to the organization, ergonomic keyboards may not be ideal for gaming, but will function as well as any other keyboard one you are adjusted to them.

Well Known Makers

Razer is well known as a producer of gaming keyboards, in addition to many other gaming accessories.

Logitech makes keyboards, both gaming and non gaming focused.

Saitek sells gaming keyboards and other specialty input devices.

Corsair, Mad Catz, Microsoft, and Thermaltake all have their own lines of gaming keyboards.

Disable/Enable the Windows key

Use Microsoft's official Disable/Enable the Windows key Fix it wizards.

Some gaming keyboards have functionality built into the keyboard to toggle the Windows key on and off. Some Logitech keyboards have a switch built that performs this function.

WKey Disabler is a small portable utility, which disables the Windows key while the program is running in the system tray.

Changing keyboard layout

Some games support just one specific keyboard layout. It is however possible to install additional keyboard layouts and switch between them with shortcuts.

Windows

Method 1[citation needed]
  1. Click on the language code in the tool tray.
  2. Select Language preferences.
  3. Select Add a language.
  4. Choose a language and country.
Method 2[citation needed]
  1. Go to the Settings menu.
  2. Go to Time & language.
  3. Go to Region & Language.
  4. Select Add a language.
  5. Choose a language and country.
It is then possible to switch between layouts with Alt+ Shift.

Mac

Change keyboard layout[citation needed]
  1. Go to System Preferences.
  2. Go to Keyboard.
  3. Select the Input Method tab.
  4. Click on the + icon in the bottom left corner.
  5. Choose a language and country.
  6. (Optional) Tick Show Input menu in menu bar to easily determine which layout is active.
  7. Select the Shortcuts tab.
  8. Go to the Input Method sub-menu.
  9. Tick Select next source in Input menu.

Notes

It is then possible to switch between layouts with Ctrl+Alt+ Shift+ Command.