By Mike Southern
There was a time when the only way to get data into your computer was by typing. That is no longer true. The number of ways to input data -- indeed, the variety of data that can be manipulated by a computer -- seems to be growing by the day. And new input devices are being created to handle these new needs. - Computer DevicesKeyboards
Keyboards are the most familiar and commonly-used input devices, as well as the earliest available for desktop computers. They look like a typewriter keyboard and are used for the manual entry of alpha-numeric data. - Computer Devices
Mice
With the introduction of graphic user interfaces (GUIs), the mouse quickly caught on as an input device. Mice allow you to control an on-screen pointer, called a cursor, which commonly looks like an arrow. When the arrow is properly positioned, you can use it to perform various tasks by pressing buttons on the mouse. - Computer Devices
Graphics Tablets
Tablets allow you to write directly into the computer. Using a pen-like object called a stylus, you write on the tablet surface as if it were a sheet of paper. Some tablets (as well as the stylus) include buttons, allowing you to use them like mice. Newer tablets, and some desktop models, allow the use of fingers instead of a stylus. - Computer Devices
Joysticks
Joysticks are most commonly used when playing games. Originally, they consisted of a single movable stick and a button or two, allowing you to control a game character's movements. Modern joysticks group a number of sticks and buttons together, allowing you to control complex movements with a couple of finger flicks. - Computer Devices
Headsets
Headsets are a combination of an earphone and a microphone. Combined with voice-recognition software, headsets allow you to dictate data and commands directly into other software programs on your computer. Using a headset means you can keep your hands free for other tasks while using your computer. - Computer Devices
Scanners
Scanners work much like photocopiers. You position the document you wish to copy on the scanner's surface, then activate it. A digital image of the document is created that can be saved in the computer's memory, then printed or saved. Note that this is an image, and must be edited in a graphics program. If you wish to convert this image to text for manipulation in a word processor, you need OCR (optical character recognition) software to make the conversion. - Computer Devices
Cameras
Though often not recognized as such, cameras are also a computer input device. They can be anything from a regular handheld camera to a digital video camera to the inexpensive webcam clipped to the top of your monitor. Cameras are a quick and easy way to get a lot of graphic information into a computer. - Computer Devices
Video Capture Hardware
Video capture hardware hooks up to your TV and allows you to copy TV programs directly into your computer, such as a digital video recorder. Once stored, you can edit the video files just like your own home videos. Video capture requires a great deal of storage space and a fast computer. - Computer Devices
And More
There are also input devices available for very specialized purposes. You can get specialized scientific equipment such as microscopes and telescope tracking controllers, for example. One company is even marketing a headset that claims to convert brainwaves into digital signals. - Computer Devices
References
# School's List of Input Devices
# The Emotive EPOC Neuro-Tech Headset
# Basic Input Devices
Resources
# The Future of Input
Computer Devices
