Function buttons etc

[Chinashaw]

Hi,

I have had a pwrbook for the last few months and am slowly getting used to doing things differently to my IBM but I do have a couple of questions.

F9 - this is the expose button but when I press it all I get is the brightness icon (as per the button). I have set up Expose to run from the right hand corner of the screen but I wondered if the f9 button needs setting up. Oh and I have checked the expose settings and it clearly shows f9 as the button to press.

On a different note, I have seen a lot of references to the 'command' button, is that the one with the Apple logo on it or the line with an arrowhead under it one? Its just I tried several keyboard shortcuts and they dont seem to work, so I assume I am pressing the wrong buttons?

THanks,

Nicholas

 

[robbieduncan]

Command = Apple

You seem to have your functions keys acting as function keys. Try pressing Fn-F9. On my Powerbook Fn is in the bottom left. If you want this behaviour all the time there is a preference in the Mouse and Keyboard section of System Preferences.

 

[Chinashaw]

Perfect, have made the changes and all is happy once again in my mini mac world!

 

[Chinashaw]

Quick follow on question

If the Apple button is the command button (makes sense, no egos at Apple ) what does that other button do? (one with line and arrowhead beneath it?)

 

[robbieduncan]

I'm not on a Mac at the moment but I assume you are talking about the Alternate (or Alt) key that give some alternate actions when used with the command key.

Either that or it's the Control key?

 

[Will Cheyney]

Line and arrow head?
The three buttons, alt, control and command are contextual, meaning that their function alters depending where you are/what your doing.

 

[Chinashaw]

I don't think its any of those. Working left to right on the keyboard (17" Pwrbook)
Fn, Ctlr, Alt, Apple, Space, Apple, ? - with arrowhead below ? , Arrow keys

Just realised it looks like a Kp on its side.

 

[robbieduncan]

iirc that's the enter key (as opposed to the return key).

 

[mdavey]

iirc that's the enter key (as opposed to the return key).

Yup, that is the Enter key, equivilent to the Enter key on the numeric keypad on a full extended keyboard. Apple really should add the word 'Enter' to that keytop, 'Opt' to the 'Alt' keytop and 'Cmd' to the Apple keytop - they catch out nearly every new Mac user.

Anyone have a link to that handy "Decrypting Apple Keyboard Symbols" quick-reference image?

 

[Will Cheyney]

...Pretty much a standard keyboard feature, is it not?

 

[Chinashaw]

...Pretty much a standard keyboard feature, is it not?

Perhaps on macs but not on IBM, Dell laptops, nor my logitech and MSoft keyboards.

But many thanks to one and all, another Mac moment solved!