ESL Podcast 536 – Using a Computer Keyboard

Leslie: This keyboard is so hard to use. I can’t find where anything is!

Dave: It’s a standard QWERTY keyboard. The layout may be a little different, with the function keys on the right-hand side instead of on the top, but you’ll get used to it in no time.

Leslie: That’s what you think. I don’t need an ergonomic wireless¹ keyboard. I liked my old one.

Dave: Everybody in the office is getting one, so you weren’t singled out. Okay, let me give you a quick orientation². This keyboard has a built-in number pad, and all you need to do is press the “num lock” key to use it. The escape (“esc”) key is over here, and the “control,” “alt,” and “shift” keys are on the bottom.

Leslie: Where’s the “caps lock”?

Dave: It’s on your left.

Leslie: But my old keyboard had a bunch of hotkeys. What am I supposed to do without them?

Dave: You can program your function keys to act as hotkeys. Do you want me to show you how to do that?

Leslie: I guess so. Since I’m stuck with this keyboard, I guess I have to live with it.

Dave: That’s the spirit!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

2 orientation   

n.方向，目标；熟悉，适应，情况介绍

参考例句：

• Children need some orientation when they go to school.小孩子上学时需要适应。
• The traveller found his orientation with the aid of a good map.旅行者借助一幅好地图得知自己的方向。