I wonder how many of you have explored your keyboard?

Question

I mean... for instance, do you know what F1 means? Or F2, Etc. Explore and find out for yourselves! No malice or compulsory education intended... I am just wondering if you are the same as me! Clueless! Go ahead... explore...

Answer 1

Not before I read your question.

I found many answers here very, very helpful. Thanks for the answers and most important of all, thank YOU for bringing this up!

Answer 2

I'm using a mac and f9 blues out the screen and the question comes up in a bubble, that's cool. F7 makes this and my other window smaller and on the screen together. F13 is bigger than the rest, and it's 13 and I'm a bit scared to press it. When I was at school and we first got a computer, which was about 23 years ago now, it was this enormous BBC Basic thing that did practically nothing and took 3 years to load but we weren't allowed to touch the F keys on pain of death so I've always thought that maybe one of them like kills your whole computer or changes it to Sanskrit or something else there's no return from.

There is a lot of crumbs round here though! Eww.

Answer 3

I have a computer science degree yet I admit that there are some keys on a QWERTY keyboard that are still a mystery!



F1 - F12 are called function keys. They are quite often used in complex programs, such as computer games. I remember at university using a database program which had F8 as 'Save' and F9 as 'Quit without saving or prompt'. It was common to hear screams of annoyance when the wrong button was pressed after hours of work!

Answer 4

F3 is a Firefox search. & F1 is a help key. I used to explore my computer when I worked in a bank & got into big trouble especially when I `found that I could bypass the passwords & get into areas where I could have caused damage. When I reported it, I lost my job! so I have not realty explored a computer since!

Answer 5

Keyboards in my mind are very much like cars.



I am not required to know what every button does or how the engine functions. It is all about getting the job done.



I'm not a geek and certainly not a qualified mechanic.



It doesn't mean that on occasions i look at the keyboard buttons, its just that on occasions i have pressed them and one of two things happen:



1.The computer does nothing or

2.The computer goes to a completely different screen or mode and crashes. I am then lost.



So the moral of the story is that unless i know what it does it wont get pressed (unless in frustration)

Answer 6

The F Stands for function and depending on where applied as to the function it may offer you. Many shortcuts on the key board. also many shortcuts can be available with the mouse. The computer is set up to actually teach you how to use it and all of its shortcuts. And every program has it's own help function as well. So don't waste your 4.95 plus shipping and handling start with help and you will never go wrong. Love Geoff you never cease to amaze me. One big fat star for you. And yes I check the spelling!!! This program does have check spelling in the right hand corner. Kelly

Answer 7

yeah press alt then a number like 1 ☺ 2 ☻ 3 ♥ 4 ♦ 5 ♣ 6♠ 7 • 8 ◘ 9 ○ and so on ◙ ♂ ♀♪♫☼►◄↕‼¶§▬↨↑↓→←∟↔▲▼ !"#$%þ

Answer 8

I have worked in a bank for 18 years. I deal with a lot of foreign currency and foreign cheques.



I have been asking for about 5 years now why there is not a euro symbol on the keyboard as i am sick and tired of writing euro.



I even contacted our IT support centre and asked them if I was missing something only to be told that there was not as yet a euro symbol on the keyboard.



I read this post and €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€



Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Answer 9

F stands for 'function' and were more traditionally used in the olden times before you had a graphical user interface. They still have a function though, but it depends on the program you are using. For example F11 in Internet explorer enlarges the view so you see more of the web page.

Answer 10

Know what you mean. I have just found out that a one-key depression in Paint Shop Pro (F12 for me) saves me selecting File/Import/Twain/Acquire. And I have been using this prog for over 8 years!

A survey some years ago showed that 75% of people could not reset the clock on their video machine. And as for mobile phones................

Seems to be...don't read the instructions. Find out for yourself what you need to know, then don't bother any more.

(But theF1-12 keys have different meanings, depending on the prog. you are running).

Answer 11

If it helps, ALT + TAB switches between screens eg. if you have several internet explorer pages up, ALT + F4 clears the screen down that you're using, F5 refreshes the page, F6 takes you to the address bar. Try turning your keyboard upside-down - just tried it at work and found other people's bits of toast, some bits of black stuff, and a few hairs, long ones and eyelashes - yum.

Answer 12

F1 brought up a set-up thingy for the internet; F2 nada; F3 led to a search window pop up; F4 dropped the internet address bar down. I hope the F2 button didn't start a timer that counts down until I have to find something better to do!!! :P Fun question, ya get a star from me.

Answer 13

You're right, many people tend to use just the basics of their keyboards, this is the same with video recorders, even our ovens we tend to stay with just one or two temperatures. Sadly I use a laptop computer, so I can't use the alt/number function for foreign characters, so I have to copy/paste any fancy letters.

Answer 14

I know a few bits and bobs, like:



Hold alt and press tab to browse between open windows, keep holding alt and use tab to toggle



Ctrl + C: Copy

Ctrl + X: Cut

Ctrl + V: Paste



F1 is always Help,



Print Screen copies the entire image on your screen which you can paste into a word file etc.



That's about it for me though...

Answer 15

yes I explore mine all the time, and did you know that on your number keypad that if you press a number whilst holding down the alt key you can get all difffent symbols, I have noticed however that all keyboard dont always display the same symbols, and oh yes on the laptops the F buttons are used for other things aswell ie to lighten to make darker, go to sleep, www, or musci player, scroll, and so it goes on, lol have fun lol. ☺ ☻♥♣♣ thts using the left alt and numbers. good luck. ☺☻

Answer 16

I bought a microsoft optical wireless keyboard & mouse and everything you need is marked on the keys.. like, my mail key. web/home key..my music..my documents . my pics' etc etc, it's a doddle and I was surprised at what you can access without a mouse. I can even get my messengers up with a key tap and control my volume, open web pages and close them... It saves all that hitting the wrong key..... then f'n' and blindin'

Answer 17

Never tried this one before...



F1 got me the help window...beats clicking on the task bar all the time

F2 dead

F3 Brings up find...I'll need that coz I keep loosing things everywhere "Find car keys" for instance,,,can never find them!!

F4 brings the address bar down....knew that one!! :-)

F5 Refresh page...Knew that one as well!!

F6 highlighted the address bar...NEVER knew that one

F7 - F12 all deaded



So learnt a few things tonight...thanks for that

Answer 18

I love the function keys, they are really useful and faster than using the mouse. I don't use them all but the ones I find the most usefull are:

F5

Alt+F4

Ctrl+S

Ctrl+F

Ctrl+O

Ctrl+P

Ctrl+C

Ctrl+V

Ctrl+X

Window +E

Window +L

Answer 19

Press the shift key 5 times... brings up something called sticky keys. Only found it coz I was bored and started tapping my keyboard - as you do!!!

Answer 20

Completely clueless! Theres so much to learn on a pc full stop!!

And i'm afraid old dog new tricks.

Answer 21

Yes. The F stands for "function". These keys were intended to instigate one function or another.

Answer 22

Necessity breeds key-board exploration.

Answer 23

Did you know the longest word that you can type from the top letter row of the keyboard is 'typewriter'. Cool!

Answer 24

You're right, I use a computer everyday and I haven't a clue what those keys do. Think I'll have a little play around ...

Answer 25

I Know what several of the keys do but not all, so yes I may be a little more clued up but not much

Answer 26

At my school were I go now, you have to take classes that teach you how to type and learn stuff about your computer and other stuff that relates to it. But if I do recall, the F stands for Function.

Answer 27

If you press the alt and the F4 key at the same time, you will find one of windows little secrets.

Answer 28

i have just had a tinkle around. never though about it before. its quite fun finding out all these new things!!!



€€€€€€€€€ when u press the right alt and the dollar sign you get the euro sign. how clever is that?!?!

Answer 29

I havn't got a clue the numbers and the letters are about all that i know

Answer 30

I'm like you mate,I notice people here writing in cyrillic script and using accents etc,..I wish I could do it..I'm a technophobic dinosaur I'm afraid.

Answer 31

I couldn't be bothered before...but now, since you have drawn my attention to it... and some of your answers shows some interesting points about it...I will definitely be exploring.

But not now...I'm off to start preparing dinner.

Answer 32

sticky keys is used to do multiple key functions. For example if pressing control alt del, you wouldn't have to press them all together.

Answer 33

I just have - mines consists of - ash, dried n vody n coke - and recently my b/f's urine - yes he was drunk -woke up - realised and tried to blowdry it - needless to say the keys melted - how sad.

Answer 34

Righty oh thanx for the heads up

Answer 35

oooo how kwel i am brain dead on the keyboard so that is a good tip ta.f2 done nowt for me too.lol loved the☺☻♥♦♣♠•◘○*6úíó

Answer 36

i got boared of reading instructions so i pressed a button one by one i found out everything i needed to know

Answer 37

sgrthrhsdzsfvdfhthvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv





thanks for asking this - i have learnt from the other answers



sticky keys! good to know but havent a clue what i will use it for!!

Answer 38

keyboard is sooo much quicker than mouse~ did you know that "Windows button" plus "E" brings up windows explorer and "Windows button" plus "D" brings up desktop?

Answer 39

wow i just learnt something on my keyboard bt ill prob forget it by 2morrow

Answer 40

I'm slowly finding my way around it bit by bit.

Answer 41

I've thought about it,but scared in case i do something i'm not meant to!

Answer 42

I don't know much about my keyboard. I think I know I feel really dumd about it.

Answer 43

Here are just a few,,,,,,,,,,,



Ctrl + A Select All

Ctrl + B Bold

Ctrl + D Duplicate

Ctrl + F Find

Ctrl + G Go To Page

Ctrl + H Replace

Ctrl + I Italic

Ctrl + J Justify Text

[Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications



[Alt] and [Tab] Toggle between running applications



[Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter



[Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu



[Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)



[Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window



[Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document



[Alt] and [Spacebar] Open Control menu for active application



[Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word



[Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[Ctrl] and X Cut selected text or object(s)



[Ctrl] and C Copy selected text or object(s)



[Ctrl] and V Paste copied text or object(s)



[F1] Open Help for active application

Windows+E Open Windows Explorer

Windows+F Open Find

Windows+M Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows

Windows+R Open Run window

Windows+F1 Open Windows Help

Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box



Ctrl + L Left Align Text

Ctrl + N Open New document

Ctrl + O Open

Ctrl + P Print

Ctrl + Q Quit

Ctrl + R Right Align Text

Ctrl + S Save

Ctrl + U Underline

Ctrl + V Paste

Ctrl + W Close document

Ctrl + X Cut

Ctrl +Z Undo

One character right SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW

One character left SHIFT+LEFT ARROW

To end of a word CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW

To beginning of a word CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW

To end of a line SHIFT+END

To beginning of a line SHIFT+HOME

One line down SHIFT+DOWN ARROW

One line up SHIFT+UP ARROW

To the end of a paragraph CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW

To the beginning of a paragraph CTRL+SHIFT+UP ARROW

One screen down SHIFT+PAGE DOWN

One screen up SHIFT+PAGE UP

To the end of a window ALT+CTRL+PAGE DOWN

To the beginning of a document CTRL+SHIFT+HOME

To include the entire document CTRL+A

Answer 44

I do not know how to do smilies but other than that I cope ok.

Answer 45

A brilliant question mate I have just learnt loads from the answers thanks to nearly all of you

Answer 46

I'll put it on the list of things to do, before I die!!!

Answer 47

Cool I learned a lot from just reading the answers people gave you. Thanks for the info you all.

Answer 48

this is the cutest question in the world, how old are you saudi geoff? but anyway thanks for inspiring us to explore our keyboards!

Answer 49

yes f1 and f2 and f3 are different levels of

racing and racing vehicle

wats a keyboard?

Answer 50

no i happen to be good with computers so i no what every button does

Answer 51

i have tried this in the last few days, and its just amazing how easy it is to screw up your machine in so few key strokes!...x

Answer 52

I have 2 answers. Take your pick:



A - Once you've explored your brain and found there is nothing there its the obvious place to go.



B - You've got to watch these keyboards......they can be a bit shifty.

Answer 53

i think i know what they mean!

Answer 54

♂☻♥♦♣♠•◘○☺☺☺☺☻☻☺W╬╬╬ ▐ +││☺☺☺☺☺☻☻☻♥♥♥

!

Answer 55

yeah, they are just hotkeys

Answer 56

I can't find the 'Any' key that I'm supposed to press.

Answer 57

huh?

Answer 58

I AM BLOODY CLUELESS.

Answer 59

thanks for that you got me thinking( Im only a learner)

Answer 60

ok

Answer 61

I'm pretty clued up on the keyboard, thanks!

Answer 62

If you've taken any classes on computers, you should know what they all mean and do. This question is pointless and shouldn't even be considered a question. It doesn't ask anything and you don't need help with anything. Next time put it in a commenting section. You're wasting the time of those that would like to help others. Please stop.



nicole