Symbols on computer keyboards in the UK?

[KEJ2000]

I'm American and noticed during a visit to the UK that your computer keyboards have different 'standard' symbols on them than ours do on the other side of The Pond. You have a symbol for pounds, for example, rather than a dollar sign. However, I was in a big hurry at the time and didn't look closely at what yours are. American keyboards come standard with the following symbols: ~ ` ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ - + = | \ { } [ ] : ; ' ' < > , ? / . Could someone please take the time to type out your standard keyboard symbols for me? (Please type a space in-between each one!) I am so curious!!! Thank you so much!!!!!

[KEJ2000]

Oops, three of those came out looking weird because of the bold font. Here they are again: ` * "

[jorton]

` �! " � $ % ^ & * ( ) - _ = + [ [ ] } ; : @ ' # ~ \ | , < . > / ?

[j2buttonsw]

Hey, joe orton hasn't got a Euro ' ha ha (Ctrl + Alt + 4) nor a whatever-you-call-it � (Ctrl + Alt + `)

[jorton]

� '

[jorton]

�' I am the walrus

[darth vader]

I think you'll find we (the UK) have the same symbol set as the USA keyboards except a couple of the symbols are in a different location (yes we do have the dollar sign - above the number 4) - the '@' sign for example is switched with the double quote (speech mark) - i don't know why B4 you ask.......
Assuming you're using a windows O/S you can switch the "default input locale" (default keyboard to you and me!) inside control panel, regional settings (you may need the windows installation disk). Then set the new input locale as default, and open up notepad and type away! - you can do this with other languages.....

[darth vader]

'''''''''''

cool!

[darth vader]

That's not the same as having it on the standard keyboard which i suspect J2B has, and Jorton hasn't (which is what the question is all about).........

[gilf]

simple way to find out is set your keyboard setting to UK (or US) and then start typing you will see that the symbols come out via different keys. Basically we use the same character set but the keys are mapped differently so when the keyboard recieves a message from the keyboard it converts it to the relevant keyboard layout.

[darth vader]

didn't i just say that?..............

[KEJ2000]

Thank you, everyone!!! I had been wondering about that for two whole years! So, I can see from jorton's first answer that you don't have a 'tilde' ( ~ ~ ~ ~ to the left of the numeral 1) and I don't have a pounds symbol. How fascinating!!!!! Also, does anyone know the name of that symbol which you have in place of the tilde? I don't have that one either!! Hmm, I feel deprived....

[KEJ2000]

Oops, you DO have a tilde!!! I didn't notice it there at first! It must just be in a different location. However, I still don't have the second symbol in jorton's original list. Anyone know what it's called? Thanks!!!

[darth vader]

It's a Euro sign which is the new mickey mouse currency being used throughout Europe (except the UK of course as we're old farts resistant to change....)

[darth vader]

oops sorry read the wrong list - you mean the " � " sign? no idea

[KEJ2000]

Hi darth vader!! Yes, that's the one I mean. The one that neither of us knows! (The one that I am completely unable to type, because I don't have it!!!) Since I am unable to generate that symbol in order to create another AB question asking everyone what it is, I wonder if you might be willing to? Then I will 'owe you one'!!!! Cheers!!!

[darth vader]

ok will do....