Acorn A5000, Welcome Manual

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Using the keyboard
T
his chapter describes the keyboard and its functions.
A quick tour of the keyboard
The illustrations in this chapter show how the keys are laid out on the keyboard. This
chapter describes the main features of the keyboard, and tells you how to use the
different groups of keys. Note: Sometimes you need to press more than one key to
perform an action. In such cases:
1 Press and hold down all except the last key in the sequence.
2 Press and release the last key in the sequence.
3 Release all the other keys.
For example:
• Shift F12 means press and hold down the Shift key, then press and release F12,
then release Shift.
• Ctrl Shift F12 means press and hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys, then press and
release F12, then release Ctrl and Shift.
The keys are divided into the following blocks, as illustrated in the picture overleaf.
The typewriter keys are in the main block, and are similar to a typewriter keyboard. The
Return key on the right completes a line, either starting a new line of text, or sending a
name or instruction to the computer, depending on what you are doing. The CapsLock
key (when its light is on) makes everything you type appear in capitals. If you don't
want this, press the key once to make its light go out.
The function keys (marked Fl to F12) are in a row above the typewriter keys. The
function of these keys in a particular piece of software is often marked on a
keycard. You don't need to use these keys at the moment.
The numeric keypad is at the far right, laid out like a calculator. These keys can be
used either to type numbers (when the NumLock light is on) or to perform special
functions, depending on the program or application you are using.
The Escape key at the top left of the keyboard cancels an operation and may stop the
running of an application.
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