PC Keyboard & Mouse with Mac

[BrandonSi]

My parents need to replace an aging Sony Vaio desktop. I'm talking them into getting a mac mini. The problem here lies in that the current setup uses a KVM (USB) switch between my fathers setup from work (Dell dock, monitor) and the Sony. If they did replace the Sony with the mini, they would insist on keeping the PC keyboard and mouse. I know the mouse isn't a big deal, but how do you deal with the different keys, control/command, windows key, etc.. in this situation? They would be new to OS X so I couldn't very well tell them to hit the "Command" key when there isn't one.

Do they just tough it out, or is there a solution for this I'm not seeing?

 

[Eidorian]

I've used USB windows keyboards on Macs while repairing then. My boss still hadn't ordered the extra Apple keyboards I had requested. The Windows Key was the Command Key.

 

[BrandonSi]

Found something here..

http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/


For future searchers..

"DoubleCommand is software for Mac OS X (a kernel extension) that lets you remap keys, in other words change the way your keyboard works. Often used to make a PC keyboard more comfortable with a Mac, swapping the Alt (Option) and Windows (Command or Apple) keys, since they are in swapped positions on Mac and PC keyboards."

 

[Eidorian]

Found something here..

http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/


For future searchers..

"DoubleCommand is software for Mac OS X (a kernel extension) that lets you remap keys, in other words change the way your keyboard works. Often used to make a PC keyboard more comfortable with a Mac, swapping the Alt (Option) and Windows (Command or Apple) keys, since they are in swapped positions on Mac and PC keyboards."

Wow, that is some nice software. Still, I say dish out the $30 for a real Apple keyboard.

 

[BrandonSi]

Wow, that is some nice software. Still, I say dish out the $30 for a real Apple keyboard.

Yeah, I would except my father uses the setup for work, and he would lose it trying to use an Apple keyboard and mouse with his Dell laptop/dock. I think I'm just going to print out the command and option keys and tape them on the keyboard below the appropriate keys. Not quite elegant, but it will work.