| A | B |
|---|
| Input Devices | Devices that allow the user to enter data into a computer system |
| Keyboards | Allows the user to enter data by pressing labeled keys; the most common input device |
| Pointing Devices | Allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen, make choices from lists, or create illustrations |
| Mouse Devices | Allows the user to move the cursor on the screen, select objects, and make choices from menus |
| Trackballs | A stationary pointing device that uses a rotating ball; the user moves the ball, causing the on-screen pointer to move in the corresponding direction; can be thought of as an upside down mouse |
| Digitizing Tablets | A pointing device primarily used to create drawiangs on the screen; a stylus or puck is sued to "draw" on the tablet; the drawing then apprears on the screen; allows more precision than a mouse or trackball |
| Touch Screen | The user chooses options by pressing a finger on that option on the screen |
| Image Scanner | An input device that converts an image or photo into digital form so that it can be stored in the ocmputer's memory; common types are: flat-bed, sheet-fed, and hand-held |
| Bar Code Readers | A special purpose scanner used to read bar codes and translate them into numeric data; often used to read universal product codes (UPC) |
| Pen-Based System | A computer that allows the user to interact with the system by using a pen or a stylus; often the pen is used for making selections from menus and manipulating objects on the screen; an advantage is that they are relatively small and easy to carry around |
| Voice Recognition Systems | An input device that can carry out spoken commands; can be useful to people who are unable to type because of disablities |
| Output Devices | Devices that display or print information in a useable format |
| Soft Copy | ouput that is temporarily displayed on a monitor screen |
| Hard Copy | ouput that is printed in a permanent form, usually on paper |
| Monitors | An output device that displays infomration on a screen similar to that of a television set |
| Printers | An output device that creates hard copy on paper |
| Impact | A type of printer that works by pressing a print head against the paper |
| Nonimpact | A printer, such as a laser or an ink-jet, in which there is not direct contact between the printer element and the paper |
| Dot-Matrix | An impact printer that works by pressing the pins in the print head against a sheet of paper |
| Ink-Jet | A nonimpact printer that uses tiny nozzles to spray ink onto paper |
| Laser | A nonimpact printer that uses a laser beam and a fine, black powder called toner to print |
| Plotters | A specialized output device that uses pens to draw graphics on paper |
| Sound Boards | Allow microcomputers to play music and generate other sounds |
