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I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

danq.me

11–20 of 212 posts

Re: I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

#11
The HP Elitebook laptops get this right.

You can configure whether you prefer the standard behavior or to use the actions assigned to the F keys by default, I think in the BIOS, and then you can use fn lock to switch at runtime. That's nice in itself but that's not all.

In the latter mode, holding a modifier key like Alt makes the F key act standard, so Alt+F4 works in any mode as expected.

Re: I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

#12
I've switched to programmable ergo keyboards where there's a whole slew of options (https://precondition.github.io/home-row-mods just covers home row mods)

I've always hated stateful control. Always ripped out caps lock key from my boards (or later figured out remapping), same for insert mode

That's carried over, even with options like one shot mods, & cutting down to under 40 keys (& playing with 28, yesterday received a https://github.com/kilipan/zilpzalp), I still don't find stateful control necessary. More layers, combos, & tap-hold go far

Re: I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

#13
One of my favorite things about my custom mechanical keyboard, is being able to remap the entire key set in the firmware with VIA. I have fn+arrow keys for media, fn+space for play/pause fn+end for calculator, and a bunch of random others. It is so useful I could never get another keyboard that doesn’t have a similar functionality.

Re: I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

#15
> It was nice that they gave dedicated keys to volume control/toggling muting.

I know it's not an option for certain keyboards (and laptop keyboards) but I appreciated not having to use Fn keys and use physical volume dials like Das Keyboard 4. https://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-professional

Re: I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

#18
Thinkpad laptops thankfully have a BIOS option to revert the behaviour to normal, where F1-F12 perform their nominal functions. I'd probably pay an extra €50 for a laptop that didn't come with a stupid Fn button at all. Might want to throw some more money at a few more keyboard modifications: my bottom row is Fn CTRL Win Alt Space AltGr PrtSc Ctrl; that PrtSc button clearly has no business being there. Arrows & PgUp/PgDown are too small. Backspace is too short. Etc.
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