Dictionary Graphical Interface

keyboard

The hardware device of a computer used to enter text into the computer by a typist. Includes keys containing the letters of the alphabet, numbers, function keys, cursor keys, control keys, and a numeric keypad. Some keyboards are integrated while others are detached and connected via a cord.

keyboard garage

An area under the A1000 that provides room to store the keyboard.

keyboard shortcut

A sequence of keypresses that cause another more complicated action to occur in a program or on the Workbench. These may be single keypresses or combinations using keys such as CTRL, LEFT-AMIGA, or SHIFT. Many are user definable, while others are denoted in menus using a special symbol followed by the corresponding key. Menu keyboard shortcuts are accessed by pressing the RIGHT-AMIGA key and the denoted key simultaneously.

key frame

A frame of an animation where a key event occurs, such as the beginning of a new motion or morph. Key frames are defined by the animator using numeric values to denote positions of objects or their relative speeds, while non-key frames are calculated automatically using animation or similar software.

keymap

A file that contains information regarding the layout of keys on a keyboard, including special alternate character sets and dead keys used in foreign languages.

Kickstart

The Amiga's operating system, stored mostly in ROM, consisting of Exec, Intuition, shared libraries, and the Amiga's other custom software routines.

kilobyte

A measure of storage space, equaling 1024 bytes. · The prefix "kilo" means 1,000. However, in binary, the value 1024 is a frequently used number, containing 10 bits of information, equaling 2^10. While many people refer to a kilobyte as 1,000 bytes, or a megabyte as 1,000,000 bytes, they are in fact rounding down the actual values.

KingFisher

A database for searching through Fred Fish disk libraries, containing a cross reference table of all current files and the disks they are located on. Includes software which allows new Fred Fish disk announcements to be included in the KingFisher cross reference system.