Quick Tip: Default behavior of the function keys (read: the “f”-keys)
Some readers of Mac Kindergarten wrote in, that they had trouble with the tutorials mentioning the functions keys.
Here is how to make the function keys do what you want.
If you look at the function keys, you see almost every key hast two symbols on it. One is the “F” and a number (e.g. F1, F2, etc.) and the other a special function symbol (e.g. volume up/down/mute).
Since it’s only one key, but two possible commands, you can define, how Mac OS X will react to them. It’s like writing uppercase or lowercase letters with the help of the shift key. In this case it’s not the shift key, but the Fn-key on your keyboard.
While certain users prefer to access the special functions directly (e.g. volume up/down) others prefer to use the function keys directly (e.g. direct access to Exposé).
Here is how to adjust it to your needs:
1) Open System Preferences > Keyboard and Mouse
2) Click the Keyboard tab
3) In the middle of the window, check/uncheck the box Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys.
4) Now the function keys work the other way round. So now, to access the secondary function, press the Fn-key together with the function key.
To give Exposé a fresh start, the tutorials involving Exposé (and thus the function keys) are here.
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March 10th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
This was very helpful, thank you. However, on my new iMac, it appears to only work for keys F1 thru F6. F7 thru F10 still act differently. For example, if I press F8, I get my screen split in 4 windows. I use programs that need the F8-F10 to do something else. I tried going to the keyboard Shortcuts tab and change them, but F8, while in system Preferences brings up a small menu about Time Machine. So, is there a way to use the F8-F10 (or even F12 if possible) according to the application’s intended use?
Thank you.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Please take a look at this post, answering your question:
http://mackindergarten.com/2008/03/10/change-the-keyboard-shortcuts-for-expose-and-spaces/
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