101
Learning the Basics
Using the keyboard
Character keys
Typing with the character keys is very much like typing on a
typewriter, except that:
❖The space bar creates a space character instead of just passing
over an area of the page.
❖The lowercase letter l (el) and the number 1 are not
interchangeable.
❖The uppercase letter O and the number 0 are not
interchangeable.
Making your keyboard emulate a full-size keyboard
Although your computer’s keyboard layout is compatible with a
standard full-size keyboard, it includes fewer keys.
A standard full-size keyboard includes two Enter, Ctrl, and Alt keys;
editing keys; cursor positioning keys; and a numeric keypad.
Your computer’s keyboard includes only one Enter key. Most of the
time, this does not matter. However, some programs assign separate
functions to the regular and numeric pad Enter keys on the full-sized
keyboard. Using the Fn key, you can simulate the separate key, as
follows: Press Fn and Enter simultaneously to simulate the Enter key
on the numeric pad of the enhanced keyboard. Pressing the Fn key
simultaneously in combination with one of the specially marked
keys allows you to emulate a full-size keyboard.
Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys
(Sample Illustration) Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys
The Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys do different things depending on the
program you are using. For more information, see your program
documentation.
Function keys
The function keys (not to be confused with the Fn key) are the 12
keys at the top of the keyboard.
(Sample Illustration) Function keys