Aplgies for errors and confusion was Re: newcomer
in [UK Mac]
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From: James Jolley on 22 Jan 2010 09:09 On 2010-01-22 14:08:35 +0000, Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> said: > On 2010-01-22, Jochem Huhmann <joh(a)gmx.net> wrote: >> >>>> What's this fn key for anyway? >>> >>> Good question. Wish I had a good answer. I _assume_ it's to access some of >>> the more esoteric characters. >> >> The alt/option key is for the esoteric characters. The fn key is for >> functions, like the function keys. And forward delete. > > Ah, right-o. I'd assumed it might get combined with alt/option and/or > command. > >>> I've only ever used to for delete-right. Which means I've probably only used >>> it twice. Ever. >> >> I'm using Control-D usually instead. Works in all Cocoa apps. > > Useful to know, thanks. > > Jim Yes, that's a good one. Best -JAmes-
From: Trevor Wright on 22 Jan 2010 09:08 In message <slrnhljbjm.2a1l.jim(a)wotan.magrathea.local>, Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> writes >On 2010-01-22, Rowland McDonnell ><real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: >> >> Oh aye? Ah. Oh aye. Found 'em now. Bottom left on the small >> keyboard; above the arrow keys on the big keyboard. > >Good-o. > >> What's this fn key for anyway? > >Good question. Wish I had a good answer. I _assume_ it's to access some of >the more esoteric characters. > >I've only ever used to for delete-right. Which means I've probably only used >it twice. Ever. > >Jim Many thanks for so many replies! I have a tiny aluminium (?) keyboard with a Fn key bottom left. I am used to using a del/delete key not just within apps but to delete (eg) files or emails from a list. It's convenient not to have to use two hands for this. I must say this Imac seems to be a wonderful thing. If not, please don't disillusion me during the honeymoon period. Thanks again. -- Trevor Wright
From: Rowland McDonnell on 22 Jan 2010 09:10 Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> wrote: > Rowland McDonnell <real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: [snip] > > What's this fn key for anyway? > > Good question. Wish I had a good answer. I _assume_ it's to access some of > the more esoteric characters. > > I've only ever used to for delete-right. Which means I've probably only used > it twice. Ever. I'd like to know how we're supposed to be able to look up this information. I've done a search in Mac Help and I've managed to find no mentions of the fn key. Where's the information about the `forward delete' function? Ah, what am I saying? Apple's even changed System Prefs so it's nigh-on impossible to learn about even the standard keyboard shortcuts. It's wrecked Services the same way. Rowland. -- Remove the animal for email address: rowland.mcdonnell(a)dog.physics.org Sorry - the spam got to me http://www.mag-uk.org http://www.bmf.co.uk UK biker? Join MAG and the BMF and stop the Eurocrats banning biking
From: Jim on 22 Jan 2010 09:15 On 2010-01-22, Trevor Wright <newstrap(a)thewrights.uk.com> wrote: > > I am used to using a del/delete key not just within apps but to delete > (eg) files or emails from a list. It's convenient not to have to use > two hands for this. You'll probably find that the Mac's backspace key does the same thing. > I must say this Imac seems to be a wonderful thing. If not, please > don't disillusion me during the honeymoon period. Well, as long as you don't activate the 5 kiloton self destruct mechanism you should be fine :-) Jim -- http://www.ursaMinorBeta.co.uk http://twitter.com/GreyAreaUK "Get over here. Now. Might be advisable to wear brown trousers and a shirt the colour of blood." Malcolm Tucker, "The Thick of It"
From: David Empson on 22 Jan 2010 09:17
Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> wrote: > On 2010-01-22, Rowland McDonnell > <real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: > > Oh aye? Ah. Oh aye. Found 'em now. Bottom left on the small > > keyboard; above the arrow keys on the big keyboard. > > Good-o. > > > What's this fn key for anyway? > > Good question. Wish I had a good answer. I _assume_ it's to access some of > the more esoteric characters. It modifies some of the keys to access or bypass a special function. The ones I know about: fn-delete foward delete fn-return enter (Some applications assign different meanings to enter and return. For example, FileMaker Pro uses enter to complete data entry in a field, and return to insert a new line.) On older laptop keyboards, fn provided quick access to the embedded numeric keypad without having to activate num lock. The embedded numeric keypad was removed in 2008. The main use of fn is in conjunction with all the numbered F-keys (F1 through F12) to bypass the special action indicated by the icon on the key, and instead pass the numbered F-key through as a standard function key. The standard function keys can be used by applications, assigned to actions in some parts of System Preferences, or could by used by a third-party macro utility. Some older applications define F1-F4 as undo, cut, copy and paste, which is how they used to be labelled on ADB keyboards. For example, F1 by itself reduces the screen brightness, as indicated by the "small sun" icon. Fn-F1 gives you standard F1, which might trigger a system-defined or applcation-defined action. If the numbered F-key doesn't have an special action icon, then it can be used as a standard function key whether or not you press fn. There is a setting in System Preferences > Keyboard to reverse the meaning of the fn key as far as the numbered F-keys are concerned. With that setting on, you have to press fn with the numbered F-key to get the special action labelled on the key (brightness, volume, etc.), and the unmodified F-key is a standard function key. -- David Empson dempson(a)actrix.gen.nz |