+++
title = "The basics"
description = "The keys, the Launcher, the Status Bar and what happens the first time you switch the device on."
weight = 1
[extra]
tag = "Start here"
+++
## The keys
The Cardputer's keyboard has no arrow keys and no Escape, so the firmware gives a few keys a second job:
| Key | Does |
|---|---|
| Enter | Opens or confirms the selected item |
| ` | **Back**: one step out of a screen, and out of an App |
| Fn + ` | **Home**: back to the Launcher |
| Fn + ; . , / | The arrows: up, down, left, right |
| ; . , / alone | The same arrows, as long as you are **not** typing text |
| Tab | Switches view in an App that has more than one |
| Del | Deletes backwards when you type |
| opt then an accent, then a letter | Types an accented letter: opt ' e gives é |
While you type text (a note, an IRC line, a setting), `;` `.` `,` `/` type their own characters and you need Fn for the arrows. The bottom of the screen shows `opt` while a compose is waiting for its letter.
## The Launcher
The home screen lists the Apps. Move with the arrows, open one with Enter. Back inside an App returns here.
## The Status Bar
A strip at the top of every screen: the name of the App on the left, and on the right, from the edge inwards:
| Shows | Means |
|---|---|
| the time | The clock, once Wi-Fi or a GNSS fix has set it |
| `[3]` | Unread IRC messages that mention you, or private ones |
| `97%` | The battery (in the warning colour at 15% and under) |
| `SD` | A card is in; the warning colour at 80% full |
| bars and `W` | Wi-Fi connected, with its signal; `W?` is searching; `MON` is the Wi-Fi radio in its monitoring mode, which pauses IRC |
| `REC` | A GNSS Track is being recorded |
| `CAP` | A LoRa capture is being recorded |
| `L` | The radio is listening; it lights up for a moment on each packet. `SW` while a Sweep runs |
| `G` or `G12` | The GNSS receiver is searching (`G`, dim), has a 2D fix (`G`), or has a 3D fix with that many satellites (`G12`) |
## Toasts
News from a background service (an IRC mention, a Storage warning, an update that is out) shows as a short message over whatever App is open, and can beep and flash the LED. **Sound & LED** in Settings turns that off.
## The first start
On a new device a short Setup asks four things, then never appears again:
1. **Long name**, up to 39 bytes.
2. **Short name**, up to 4 characters.
3. **Radio region.** Nothing will transmit until you confirm yours. EU868 is the supported region.
4. **Timezone.**
## The SD card
Put a microSD card in the Cardputer. Without one the radio, GNSS, Wi-Fi and IRC still work, but nothing can be saved: no notes, IRC logs, Wi-Fi scan logs, GPX tracks, LoRa captures or saved Gemini pages. The [Storage App](/guide/storage/) shows what is on the card.
The firmware keeps its own folders at the top of the card (`captures`, `gemini`, `gnss`, `irc`, `updates`, `wifi`, plus `notes`). You can use the card in a computer too, but those names are the firmware's.