Aplgies for errors and confusion was Re: newcomer
in [UK Mac]
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From: James Dore on 22 Jan 2010 10:01 On Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:27:29 -0000, Woody <usenet(a)alienrat.co.uk> wrote: > On 22/01/2010 14:15, Jim wrote: >> 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 :-) > > Its ok, you need two hands for that one. Yeah - that happens when you install emacs. Or it should.... Cheers, -- James Dore New College IT Officer james.dore(a)new / it-support(a)new
From: Dorian Gray on 22 Jan 2010 10:02 In article <D.Gray-3B5E13.14363522012010(a)nntp-serv.cam.ac.uk>, Dorian Gray <D.Gray(a)picture.invalid> wrote: > Other uses of the fn key (one pointless, one useful): > > - To access the numeric keypad on the mini keyboard without pressing num > lock. So that use seems pretty pointless. > > - To access the page-up, page-dn, home and end keys on the mini keyboard > (fn with the cursor keys). I use the fn key for this purpose quite a > lot. I should point out that I am referring to an iBook G3/G4 keyboard, e.g.: <http://www.laptopbattery-usa.com/images/IBOOKG414.JPG> It is really handy having two-hand page-up, page-dn, for paging through documents (in Safari the fn key is unnecessary because space is used for page-up and shift-space for page-dn). Access to "home" and "end" is useful for e.g. selecting text, or cells in Excel. Can someone confirm or otherwise whether fn with the cursor keys works on modern Mac keyboards like this?
From: Rowland McDonnell on 22 Jan 2010 10:13 Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> wrote: > Rowland McDonnell <real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: > > Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> wrote: > > > >> Rowland McDonnell <real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: > >> > > >> > I have function keys F1-F19 and the `fn' key appears to have nothing to > >> > do with them, aside from the letter `f'. > >> > >> The standard F keys have dual functionality - they act as normal PC-style > >> function keys, > > > > Which means what? The only thing that function keys do in my experience > > is `nothing', except on BBC Micros where the user can actually program > > them to be useful function keys. > > I assume that in the standard function key mode they just send ASCII codes > that programmes can react to, same as any other 'normal' key. <puzzled> Shouldn't think so. Macs have never used ASCII, have they? And in any case, ASCII runs out at 127. [snip] > >> I think the out-of-the-box default is to act as volume, brightness etc. > >> keys, and pressing 'fn' makes them act like normal function keys. > > > > Ah - I had no idea that there was another mode of operation for them. > > I don't think it's commonly used by Mac software. Oolite uses them, but only because the original BBC Micro Elite used 'em. I've never met any other Mac application that used the function keys /that I know of/ - and the fact that there's no way to slip a function key paper strip in place telling you what the keys do (a la Beeb) made life awkward until I had words with LaTeX and a sheet of 120gsm card scalpel and some Scotch Magic Tape. 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: James Dore on 22 Jan 2010 10:18 On Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:13:55 -0000, Rowland McDonnell <real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: > James Dore <james.dore(a)new.ox.ac.uk> wrote: > >> Rowland McDonnell <real-address-in-sig(a)flur.bltigibbet.invalid> wrote: >> >> > Jochem Huhmann <joh(a)gmx.net> wrote: >> > >> >> Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> writes: >> >> >> >> >> 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. >> > >> > <puzzled> I don't understand what "The fn key is for functions, like >> > the function keys" means. >> >> Particularly on Apple laptops, the default behaviour of F1 thru >> Fwhatever >> is not actually what's assigned as F1 or F2 or so on. It is the 'other' >> function of the key - Brightness Up/Down, Keyboard backlight >> up/down/off, >> volume up/down/mute etc. Using the Fn key plus the numbered function >> keys >> gets you the function assigned to the particular Function key. > > Look at System Prefs, keyboard, keyboard. See? Option to flip that > behaviour. Oh yes - seen it, done it, on my MacBookPro that has a number of Windows VM's on it. Cheers -- James Dore New College IT Officer james.dore(a)new / it-support(a)new
From: SM on 22 Jan 2010 11:31
Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com> wrote: > >> I think the out-of-the-box default is to act as volume, brightness etc. > >> keys, and pressing 'fn' makes them act like normal function keys. > > > > Ah - I had no idea that there was another mode of operation for them. > > I don't think it's commonly used by Mac software. Function keys are used all the time in Final Cut's default set of keyboard controls. For example F9 is an insert edit. Stuart -- cut that out to reply |