Random function-key changes
Previous assignment of function keys:
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| F9 | All windows |
| F10 | This application’s windows |
| F11 | Reveal Desktop |
| F12 | Dashboard and Eject |
This made (some) sense as the explanation for iLife 2008’s refusal to allow you to assign these keys to its functions.
New assignment of function keys on otherwise-yummy new keyboards (yes, both of them):
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| F1 | Decrease screen brightness |
| F2 | Raise it |
| F3 | Exposé (probably all windows), though it looks like it could just as easily summon a gallery app or iWeb or Stickies |
| F4 | Dashboard, though Activity Monitor would be a reasonable definition for this key’s icon as well |
| F7 | Previous track |
| F8 | Playpause* |
| F9 | Next track |
| F10 | Toggle mute |
| F11 | Decrease volume |
| F12 | Raise volume |
| ⏏ | Eject |
WTF?
* As named in iTunes’ AppleScript dictionary. ↶
August 8th, 2007 at 06:23:22
WTF, Apple? F9, F10, and F11 have been standard ever since Exposé was released. Why, why, why? (By the way, F12 has been Dashboard by default on all of our computers.)
August 8th, 2007 at 07:59:29
Additionally, on the extended USB keyboards, F14 and F15 are brightness up/down. If you use a PC keyboard, Scroll Lock and one of the other weird ones are interpreted as F14/F15 and have this effect.
However, the existence of a “fn” key on both keyboards suggests the new functions are not triggered by the F# key codes but by separate key codes as per a portable keyboard, not that I expect many users to get this distinction. Ah well, a key that appears to do nothing is better than the actively-unhelpful Help key it replaces on the USB version.
August 8th, 2007 at 16:05:26
Jeff: Ah, right. I always disable Dashboard, so I’m more used to it only being Eject.