[yelvert]

I am using a normal (non-mac) keyboard and i have the F12 key set to Dashboard, but sometimes I have to repeatedly tap the F12 key before the Dashboard comes up and sometimes have to all kinds of crazy things before F12 will make it come up. I believe the reason for this is that since this is a standard keyboard that does not have an eject button, mac maps Eject to F12. I know i can change the Dashboard button to a different key but I like it being F12 and dont want to change it, I would prefer to map a different key to Eject. Any one know how to do this or if its even possible?

 

[chas_m]

I am using a normal (non-mac) keyboard

I believe I will take a bit of offense at that.

Given that Windows is the one that rips off Mac ideas, and that the Mac pre-dates Windows machines (and thus the Windows keyboard) by quite a few years, it is OUR keyboard that is the "normal" one thank you very much!

Anyway, in future please just say Windows or PC keyboard. Cheers.

 

[MannyP Design]

I believe I will take a bit of offense at that.

Given that Windows is the one that rips off Mac ideas, and that the Mac pre-dates Windows machines (and thus the Windows keyboard) by quite a few years, it is OUR keyboard that is the "normal" one thank you very much!

Anyway, in future please just say Windows or PC keyboard. Cheers.

Offended? Why? Did you design the Apple keyboard?

You know, some people prefer something better than a metal plate with Chiclets to type on. Besides is a Logitech keyboard considered a PC keyboard? How about a Matias?

Rather than get into a hissyfit over something nonexistent, howsabout you say something constructive? Or nothing at all?

~

Yelvert: Have you checked out DoubleCommand or Ukulele? I've also heard of KeyRemap4MacBook (also works with iMacs, MacPros, etc.) but I'm not familiar with it.

 

[Kosh]

By the way Chas, I dare say there were computers BEFORE the Mac and Windows OS. They ran OSes like DOS or Apple DOS. So there were keyboards before the Mac and PC (windows). So the Mac can't claim that it had the STANDARD keyboard.


Damn, there I go giving away my age again....

 

[equisol]

By the way Chas, I dare say there were computers BEFORE the Mac and Windows OS. They ran OSes like DOS or Apple DOS. So there were keyboards before the Mac and PC (windows). So the Mac can't claim that it had the STANDARD keyboard.


Damn, there I go giving away my age again....

There were computers and keyboards well before Windows, and the keyboards had the function key on the left in a double row where they could be easily used in combination with <Alt> <Ctrl> <Shift> with two fingers and without taking the hands of, like lots of people say: "function keys where god intended them to be". Alas when windows came out everything changed for the worse.

 

[jamesB]

I am using a normal (non-mac) keyboard and i have the F12 key set to Dashboard, but sometimes I have to repeatedly tap the F12 key before the Dashboard comes up and sometimes have to all kinds of crazy things before F12 will make it come up. I believe the reason for this is that since this is a standard keyboard that does not have an eject button, mac maps Eject to F12. I know i can change the Dashboard button to a different key but I like it being F12 and dont want to change it, I would prefer to map a different key to Eject. Any one know how to do this or if its even possible?

This utility should do it for you, Spark lets you go wild with re-mapping your keyboard.

 

[biovizier]

Keyboards, as in typewriters, used to have raised bumps on the D and K keys to help orient and stabilize a touch-typist's hands to the home position. Mac keyboards followed this convention.

Alas PC keyboards came and made everything worse by marking the F and J keys instead. Using those keys makes no sense because the index fingers have to cover more keys so they have to roam more than the middle finger and are less effective at keeping the hands locked to home.

Unfortunately, in the late nineties Mac keyboard followed suit.