Commodore 64 User Manual page 20

This sign-on message appears each time you
turn on your VIC 20.
Now it's time to meet the 66 keys that unlock
the mysteries hidden inside your VIC 20 or
Commodore 64 keyboard. Once you become
familiar with how to use the keys, you will be
able to create many things on the computer,
such as:
• Type words
• Type messages to the computer
• Make pictures
• Perform mathematical functions
You will be introduced to the keys a few at a
time so you can see how they work. Once
you complete this chapter, you will be familiar
with all of the keys on the keyboard.
KEY COMBINATIONS:
THE HELPER KEYS
Each key can perform at least three different
chores, with the help of some silent partners:
the SHIFT key, the C= key, and the CTRL key.
For now, try not to touch the keys that carry
out the more difficult chores. Do not push the
following keys until you've been shown how
to use them:
• RUN/STOP
• RETURN
• INST/DEL
• Any key pushed at the same time as the
SHIFT key, CTRL key, or C= key
• The number keys
• The function keys (fl, S, f5, and f7]
YOUR COMPUTER'S VOCABULARY:
BASIC COMMAND WORDS YOU
SHOULD LEARN
Your computer has been programmed to
understand approximately 70 words, called
commands. These commands instruct your
computer system to perform certain tasks or
run any programs that you buy. When you
want to type a command, you'll find the
letters arranged exactly as they are on a
standard typewriter keyboard (called the
QWERTY keyboard, because the top row of
alphabet keys begins with the letters Q, W, E,
R, T, and YJ.
As you practice the exercises in this chapter,
you will learn some of the commands and all
of the punctuation symbols that have special
meaning to your VIC 20 or Commodore 64
computer. A list of some of the most fre
quently used commands follows Chapter 4 of
this book.
w
J
u
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