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Do you know what your F2 key does? Do you know where your F6 key is? Did you know that they are called “function keys”?
Today’s lesson is all about function keys; where they are, what they are, and how to use them. Maybe I’ll even add a thought or two about how not to use them.
By now the average computer user might be familiar with a few of the most common (and life-saving!) keyboard shortcuts, like Ctrl + C (copy) and Ctrl + V (paste).
I say “might” because, while I cannot personally remember my life “before shortcuts” (it was probably a scary age, with the dinosaurs and all), I also know some very recent converts.
In comparing notes with them, I found that some of my favorite shortcuts were still widely unknown; my goal today is enlightenment.
On most keyboards, if you place the index fingers of each hand on the F and J keys, you will feel a raised bump on each one.
These bumps indicate the position of the keys, without requiring you to look at the keyboard.
Are you familiar with QWERTY?
In all likelihood, you are familiar with QWERTY whether you know it or not. Most — if not all — computer keyboards use the QWERTY layout, which gets its name from the first six letters across the top.
Hint: Don’t use QWERTY as your password, unless you’re trying to get hacked. And, while we’re on the subject, don’t use “1234567” or “password” as your password either.
Do you know how to type?
The fine art of typing involves more than using one or two index fingers to “hunt and peck”. In fact, after learning how to type, you should find it difficult to go back to hunting and pecking.
Typing is the process of utilizing all ten fingers, fanned out across your keyboard, so that each key is only ever pressed by it’s designated finger.