F-Keys on the iBook

[Uncharted]

Hello,

I was taking a look at some iBooks in a computer store yesterday. While trying out the keyboards, I noticed that the Function keys a bit odd, in that the volume, numlock, eject and other what I'd call secondary function keys worked without using the Fn. This is the opposite to PC laptops I've used in the past.

I didn't think to check at the time, but does this mean that say for example the Expose keys would require you to hold Fn while pressing them?

Thanks,

Andy

[Chucker]

You can toggle this behaviour in the Keyboard Preferences Pane.

To answer your question, thoguh, no, you don't need to hold fn while using Exposé, as those keys (F9 through F12) don't have a laptop function, at least not on the iBook. (I'm not entirely sure about PowerBooks, they have more keyboard features.)

[geekdreams]

The only use for fn, that I know of, is to replicate the forward Delete button (i.e., not Backspace) by pressing fn+Delete.

[Chucker]

Originally posted by geekdreams
The only use for fn, that I know of, is to replicate the forward Delete button (i.e., not Backspace) by pressing fn+Delete.

Uh.:err:

fn
1) turns Return into Enter
2) swaps between F keys and laptop functionality (e.g. brightness, sound volume)
3) turns the keys below 7, 8 and 9 into a numeric keypad

and does more that I would remember if I was in front of a laptop.

[geekdreams]

Interesting... I guess I've never had the need for any of that stuff, so I never investigated it.

One question: what's the difference between Return and Enter?

[Uncharted]

Thanks for the info :-)

[Chucker]

Originally posted by geekdreams
One question: what's the difference between Return and Enter?

There's few programs that make use of the difference, so it's rather subtle.

For example, in Excel, Return will submit a value and proceed to the next row, whereas Enter will only submit (enter) the value.

Or in Adium, you can set it so that Return will enter a linebreak so you can enter a message with multiple paragraphs, and only Enter will send it off.

Etc.

[troberts]

I can press F9, F10, F11 for Expose functionality without needing to press the fn key, but to activate Dashboard I have to press the fn key in addition to the F12 key. Is this the way it should be or does my iBook have a glitch?

[Chucker]

Originally posted by troberts
I can press F9, F10, F11 for Expose functionality without needing to press the fn key, but to activate Dashboard I have to press the fn key in addition to the F12 key. Is this the way it should be or does my iBook have a glitch?

It's an oversight on Apple's part. When you hold the F12 key for at least a second, it works as the optical drive's eject button. When you tap F12 shortly, it's supposed to do whatever F12 is assigned to do, however, this does not work with Dashboard.

What I do is reassign Dashboard from F12 to F8, which works fine.

[troberts]

Originally posted by Chucker
What I do is reassign Dashboard from F12 to F8, which works fine.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[t-bone]

Originally posted by Chucker
Uh.:err:

fn
1) turns Return into Enter
2) swaps between F keys and laptop functionality (e.g. brightness, sound volume)
3) turns the keys below 7, 8 and 9 into a numeric keypad

and does more that I would remember if I was in front of a laptop.

A few more, at least on an Al PowerBook:

fn
1) Up arrow = page up
2) Down arrow = page down
3) Right arrow = end
4) Left arrow = home

[Chucker]

Right, those apply on the iBook too. :)

[iShawn]

For the function keys (On my Powerbook) on F9 and F10 I have to hit function in order for them to do their Expose functions properly otherwise it accounts for the keyboard illunmination. I don't mind doing that (F11 can be done with and without the function key) but I wonder if there will be problems of me getting used to using a keyboard and hitting Function for the key when I don't have to. I don't use it much though.

If I were to get a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, would the function keys be overwritten for what they are on the mac? Mean this, if I hit F9 on the full size bluetooth Apple keyboard, will it do its expose thing or will it change the light of the Powerbook keyboard?

[MacCrazy]

Here's (http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4/index.html) a full list of the keyboard functions - for the PowerBook but applies to the iBook as well.

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4/art/040761021707_06.gif

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4/art/040761021707_07.gif

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/15inchPowerBookG4/art/040761021707_08.gif

[iShawn]

Originally posted by Chucker
You can toggle this behaviour in the Keyboard Preferences Pane.

To answer your question, thoguh, no, you don't need to hold fn while using Exposé, as those keys (F9 through F12) don't have a laptop function, at least not on the iBook. (I'm not entirely sure about PowerBooks, they have more keyboard features.)

When I replied to this topic, I didn't see this post. messing around the computer I realized this action works, as well.

[MacCrazy]

In the diagrams I posted above what's the windows key for?

[iShawn]

Originally posted by MacCrazy
In the diagrams I posted above what's the windows key for?

You've confused me with your own question. ha. Um, windows equivalents I guess for USB keyboards.

[MacCrazy]

Originally posted by iShawn
You've confused me with your own question. ha. Um, windows equivalents I guess for USB keyboards.

there's no fn on USB keyboards

[iShawn]

Where'd you get those images from? Maybe mac keyboards magically turn into the windows portion at the bottom when the function key is pressed down.... it's a conspiracy!! :D

[MacCrazy]

Originally posted by iShawn
Where'd you get those images from? Maybe mac keyboards magically turn into the windows portion at the bottom when the function key is pressed down.... it's a conspiracy!! :D

If you follow the link you'll see they come from the Apple Developers Website :p