Learning the Basics

81

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.

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

F1 through F12 are called function keys because they execute programmed functions when pressed. Used in combination with the Fn key, function keys marked with icons execute specific functions on the computer. For example, Fn+F9 turns off the TouchPad. For more information, see “Hot key functions” on page 201.