Manual Computer Control

Typically, to manually enter commands and data into computers, a keyboard, mouse device, joystick or combinations thereof are used. Keyboards are preferable for text, alpha-numeric or numeric data entry. A mouse, including those with track or roller balls, are most efficient for pointing and selecting elements on a screen and are particularly useful in graphics creation. Joysticks are most commonly used in computer games, navigating virtual reality environments, or in aircraft simulators. Joysticks can be very small for one finger activation such as found on notebook computers.

For continuous alpha-numeric code entry, a keyboard with an "inboard" numeric cluster yields faster and more accurate input, as the hand does not have to travel to the "outboard" cluster and return accurately to home row. The keys on a numeric keypad are arranged either in calculator order with "7,8,9" at the top or telephone keypad order with "1,2,3" at the top. Preference will depend upon the user's prior experience.

Keyboard and Mouse	Joystick	Small Joystick