The modern computer is very sensitive. It's time we tuned in to its hidden feelings.

An 'input device' is any piece of computer hardware used to provide data and control signals to a computer.

For a long time we've been stuck with the trusty keyboard and mouse, so most websites and interactives are designed around these input devices.

However, these days the average off-the-shelf computer comes with an array of other sensitive input devices including a camera, microphone and, increasingly, a touchscreen.

This makes the options for engaging with your audience a whole lot more interesting!

Keyboard

In computing, a keyboard is typewriter keyboard. Unless you're reading this from a touchscreen mobile phone you probably have one in front of you now. Despite the new world of gestural interfaces the keyboard is still king and the most fool proof way for people to interact with a computer.

Mouse

The mouse is a common type of pointing device that allows you to input spatial data to a computer. This is usually achieved by detecting movement across a physical surface. Mice are always evolving but are perhaps in danger of being replaced with motion detection or touch-surface devices. These days you might want to think twice before saying "Click the button. The user might be tapping it instead!

Camera 

A webcam is a video capture device that is connected to a computer. While most people use webcams for applications such as Skype, special software can use the video stream to assist or enhance a user's control of applications and games. Video features, including faces, shapes and colours can be observed and tracked. For example, the position of a light source can be tracked and used to emulate a mouse pointer. Augmented Reality is one example of camera tracking in action. In this example FluidTunes gives you control over your iTunes music using only a camera and your hands.

Microphone

Voice user interfaces accept input to generate random graphical effects, sound waves, or, in the case of voice-recognition software data input and commands. If you have a microphone give it a try. You can use your voice to draw pictures on the Zefrank website.

Touch

Touch user interfaces are graphical user interfaces using a touchscreen computer monitor as a combined input and output device. You simply tap the screen with your finger. Most smartphones now employ this technology, as well as the new plethora of tablet computers, and increasingly desktop computers. Here's our own example of touch in action:

Motion Tracking

Motion tracking monitors your body motions via a webcam and translate them into commands. Here's a neat interactive screensaver for Mac users. It takes the live video from your computer camera and reacts to your movements in fun and highly visual ways.