Other Input Methods
Other Input Methods
Figure 2-18
The keyboard and mouse are the two most common input devices for a computer, but
there are many more. Most respectable laptops have a built-in touch pad or AccuPoint®
Pointing Device or pointing stick that works like a mouse. Other mouse alternatives
include track balls and light pens.
Other common computer input devices include scanners for copying images to a
computer, joysticks for playing games, and microphones for recording sound. You can
learn about these input devices by taking a look at the table on the next page.
Track Ball
A light pen is input device that utilizes a light-sensitive detector to select objects
on a display screen. A light pen is similar to a mouse, except that with a light
pen you can move the pointer and select objects on the display screen by
Light Pen directly pointing to the objects with the pen.
Scanner
Mostly used for computer games, a joystick is a lever that moves in all
directions and usually controls some type of movement on the computer.
Quick Reference
Joystick
Other Input Devices
If your computer has a sound card (and most computer have one) you can plug Include:
in a microphone to digitally record sounds to your computer. • Touch pads
• AccuPoint® Pointing
Devices
Microphone
• Track balls
• Light pens
• Scanners
• Joysticks
• Microphones