The Keyboard

The keyboard is a means of interacting with your computer. You really only need to use the keyboard when you're typing text. Most of the keys on the keyboard are laid out like the keys on a typewriter. But there are some special keys like Esc (Escape), Ctrl (Control), and Alt (Alternate). There are also some keys across the top of the keyboard labeled F1, F2, F3, and so forth. Those are called the function keys, and the exact role they play depends on which program you happen to be using at the moment.

Most keyboards also have a numeric keypad with the keys laid out like the keys on a typical adding machine. If you're accustomed to using an adding machine, you might want to use the numeric keypad, rather than the numbers across the top of the keyboard, to type numbers. It doesn't really matter which keys you use. The numeric keypad is just there as a convenience to people who are accustomed to adding machines.

The Mouse

Your mouse probably has at least two buttons on it. The button on the left is called the primary mouse button, the button on the right is called the secondary mouse button or just the right mouse button. I'll just refer to them as the left and right mouse buttons. Many mice have a small wheel between the two mouse buttons. ow you use the mouse are as follows:

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Point: To point to an item means to move the mouse pointer so that it's touching the item.
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Click: Point to the item, then tap (press and release) the left mouse button.
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Double-click: Point to the item, and tap the left mouse button twice in rapid succession - click-click as fast as you can.
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Right-click: Point to the item, then tap the mouse button on the right.
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Drag: Point to an item, then hold down the left mouse button as you move the mouse. To drop the item, release the left mouse button.
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Right-drag: Point to an item, then hold down the right mouse button as you move the mouse. To drop the item, release the right mouse button.