Archive for October 2007
Keyboard Infatuation
I recently picked up of the [new Apple keyboards](http://apple.com/keyboard), the [wired one](http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MB110LL-A-Keyboard-Kit/dp/B000V07N9U/davidsidlinge-20), to use on both my laptop and with Windows at work. Spending a lot of time on the MacBook made me accustomed to typing on the chiclet keys, and I’m now used to the positions of the control and alt keys on a Mac. My traditional Windows keyboard, a [Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000](http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Natural-Ergo-Keyboard-4000/dp/B000A6PPOK/dsidlinge-20), was slowing me down.
The good news is that the keyboard works fine with Windows. A little bit of work with [SharpKeys](http://www.randyrants.com/sharpkeys/) and I was ready to go. I remapped F13 to Insert (VMware Workstation uses Ctrl-Alt-Ins to send Ctrl-Alt-Del to virtual machines) and the right Command (Windows) to the Application key (context-click).
The only problem I have had so far is “bottoming out” my keystrokes. The travel on the new keyboard is extremely short. Sometimes my fingers forget about that and pretend they are hitting the keys on the old one. It’s a lot like when you think there’s another stair to go and end up slamming your foot down _hard_. I’m sure that will go away in time.
A couple things prospective buyers might want to know:
* As far as I can tell, the “special” function keys don’t do anything under Windows; so, no media/volume control is available. The keys don’t register at all using SharpKeys’ “Type Key” functionality. The only way to fix this appears to be a driver.
* Mac’s don’t use NumLock. The clear key functions as a NumLock key under Windows, but there is no indicator light for feedback.
**Update:** Forgot to mention that I love this keyboard. It’s the opposite of what I thought I’d want, but I wouldn’t want to go back now.
