Why key boards have a thick dot or hyphen (or some kind of mark) on the key "5".?

Question

In all key boards, (Computer or printer or cell phones) there is thick mark on the key 5. same for the letter J (and F) sometimes. What is the logic behind this?

Answer 1

These are the "home keys" in touch typing, the keys where the index fingers rest. The marks help the typist identify the home keys by touch.

Answer 2

These markings on the J and the F are for one reason.
This is for the hand positioning over the keyboard. It is the positioning tabs for the index fingers when the hands are placed over the keys to type. Professional typists use this as a guide to know where their hands are without them looking at the keys.
It is also used by blind people as a guide for typing.

Answer 3

It is designed to help touch typists to position their fingers correctly on the keyboard even without looking at it. It is the same as the mark on the F and J keys. It is some sort of a "cue" because touch typists don't look at the keyboard. : ) They just look at the screen.

Answer 4

I'm going to guess it's for us to "feel" the keys where our hands should go- 10-touch typers start with the 5. F and J are where our first fingers go when typing letters.

Answer 5

same answer as above, I cant stand it! because even as i exploit yet another computing device someone has continuously left the caps lock on and that i finnish an finished sentence before I understand what I particularly have accomplished! marvelous question, I in no way knew anybody had a established key to hate!

Answer 6

I think, It is very useful for blind peoples to type.
But the same in mobile phones and other fixes line phones it is found in number five, it is sure for blind peoples to dial the numbers correctly. All the numbers are found around number 5 key. I conformed with one blind sister near my home, she use to dial number in phone using this method.

Answer 7

It's so you will know your hands are in the right position without looking at your fingers. A lot of people type without looking at their hands.

Answer 8

I think it's so you put your hands in the proper position for typing. Someone told me that. I can't type so I'm not sure. I can't wait to follow up on these answers. I'm curious now.

Answer 9

Its so you know where your hands are when typing. So you dont have to look at your hands.

Answer 10

It is known as ''Universal Design'' and is to help blind people