laptop keyboard

[wilcoxon]

I have used a desktop for years , a few months ago I got a used Asus laptop which works fine.
After some good advice on here I downloaded Textmaker which again is good.
My problem is that I just can`t use the keyboard and the little square control thingammy.
I don`t know how the difference between delete and backspace, the document just keeps going up and down with big empty spaces and  I can`t work out how to insert a word, I can`t find how to copy and paste etc and really need some help.  In fact I `m embarrassed to have to even ask.
Can you suggest any good on line instructions before I throw it at the wall.
Written on my desktop. 

[Zaphod99]

I highlighted all your text and copied it and pasted it into Perplexity.com, one of the AI systems. It came up with a very long response, too long to publish here, but it gives you lots of common-sense solutions.

Zaph

[oldohiohome]

Connect a external keyboard to it, like the one you are using with the desktop. It should recognize it. I find a full size keyboard a lot easier to work with than the ones on laptops.

[wilcoxon]

Connect a external keyboard to it, like the one you are using with the desktop. It should recognize it. I find a full size keyboard a lot easier to work with than the ones on laptops.

That would be rather awkward when I want to use it in a limited space,  records office, train, airplane , etc, Thanks for the suggestion though.

[sandiep]

I have had a laptop for a number of years but have never managed to conect with the little "Square" my solution is a cordless mouse perfect!

[Spelk]

The little square thing is a trackpad. I use a trackpad with my desktop rather than a mouse.
If you plug (or wirelessly connect) in an external mouse then you could use that and the trackpad will probably be disabled. You can buy small size mouse which are easier to carry though I have found that after a while my hand gets cramped up when using one.
An issue that can cause problems with cheaper laptops is that the trackpad will react to the heel of your hand brushing over the trackpad as you type on the keys. Wearing gloves (thin latex maybe) might help to stop this happening - and if you cut off the fingers of the gloves you would still be able to use the trackpad.

[Spelk]

COPPY AND PASTE
Using the trackpad - very lightly rest a finger on it and move the finger which should move the curser (pointer thingy). Place curser at start or end of the text you want to select - press a bit harder then move finger to highlight the text you want to copy. Remove finger from the trackpad. Press and hold Command key then tap "C". Release Command key.
Place curser where you want to copy the text. Then Command "V".
Use Command "X"and Command "V" to move text from one place to another.
On a on Apple keyboard it is probably Control "C" etc rather than Command.

To quickly select just one word double click on it.

[Jomot]

That would be rather awkward when I want to use it in a limited space,  records office, train, airplane , etc, Thanks for the suggestion though.

Not necessarily, I've just bought a compact keyboard to use with my laptop and highly recommend it. Mine connects by bluetooth and is very light and compact.  I also bought a good quality portable laptop stand to prevent 'tech neck' and can set everything up in most small spaces in under a minute.

[crisane]

I have had laptops for years and always use a wireless mouse. I'm not comfortable using a trackpad however often I try.
On either side of the trackpad the laptop casing can be the surface on which to move the mouse around, which is what I am doing now, you don't need a separate surface if working in tight situations.
The ideal is to use the trackpad of course but using a mouse beats throwing the laptop at the wall!