Do you enable or disable NumLock?

maples · 08-08-2014, 05:13 PM

Hi,
I've noticed that Linux boots up with NumLock turned off by default (and some CLI logins, at least for Debian and Ubuntu, show a warning when it is enabled). This makes me think that most Linux users have it off most of the time. So I was wondering how many people have NumLock turned on (so the buttons actually type the numbers) or off (so you can use them for arrow keys, page up/down, home, insert, delete, etc.).

metaschima · 08-08-2014, 06:07 PM

It is on all the time, but not in the usual way (the light is off). I have this in my '~/.Xmodmap'

Code:

keycode 79=KP_7
keycode 80=KP_8
keycode 81=KP_9
keycode 83=KP_4
keycode 84=KP_5
keycode 85=KP_6
keycode 87=KP_1
keycode 88=KP_2
keycode 89=KP_3
keycode 90=KP_0
keycode 91=KP_Decimal

I have absolutely no use for doubly redundant keys for Home/End, Page Up/Down, Del, Ins, especially with a distance of inches between them.

sgosnell · 08-08-2014, 10:10 PM

It depends on which device (and thus keyboard) I'm using. On a desktop with full keyboard with dedicated number keys, I keep it on all the time. On my laptop, I keep it off.

DavidMcCann · 08-09-2014, 12:16 PM

I don't use the numeric keypad. One day, I shall treat myself to a Filco keyboard without one, but only when this keyboard dies — at 10 years old, I'm beginning to think it's immortal!

metaschima · 08-09-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMcCann

I don't use the numeric keypad. One day, I shall treat myself to a Filco keyboard without one, but only when this keyboard dies — at 10 years old, I'm beginning to think it's immortal!

If you ever have to input a lot of numbers into a spreadsheet and don't have a numberpad, you really are gonna wish you had one. I bought a USB one for my laptop at one point. I don't have it anymore, but it was useful when I needed it.

10000010010010 · 08-09-2014, 06:37 PM

Some distros will enable it by default and some won't. To be honest, I really don't think about it until I'm actually ready to use it. If it's on, great, if not, I just hit the Numlock button to turn it on.

garpu · 08-09-2014, 11:26 PM

On, unless the cat stomps on num lock. (He's good at stomping on scroll lock, too.)

273 · 08-10-2014, 11:43 AM

My current keyboard has no numlock -- it's pretty much a laptop keyboard in a box wit ha built-in trackpad and everything. The only time I'd miss a numberpad at home is for things like Blender or flight simulators and games. When I had a number pad, and should I find a keyboard of this type with one that's fairly cheap, I leave numlock on. I seem to recall some settings for numlock persistence on reboot but I don't recall whether they were for the display manager or the desktop environment or something else.

nomko · 08-12-2014, 04:53 AM

I miss the option option: I have numlock turned on all the time since i never turn off numlock.

pan64 · 08-12-2014, 04:58 AM

I have num pad, I have num lock, but I do not care about that at all. So probably it is on or off.... Sometimes.

Soadyheid · 08-12-2014, 10:37 AM

I have it on all of the time, I can't remember if I specified it when I installed the OS, currently Mint 17 Cinnamon. I find it quicker entering numbers with the keypad rather than faffing about with the row beneath the function keys.

Play Bonny!

thealmightyos · 08-12-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metaschima

It is on all the time, but not in the usual way (the light is off). I have this in my '~/.Xmodmap'

Code:

keycode 79=KP_7
keycode 80=KP_8
keycode 81=KP_9
keycode 83=KP_4
keycode 84=KP_5
keycode 85=KP_6
keycode 87=KP_1
keycode 88=KP_2
keycode 89=KP_3
keycode 90=KP_0
keycode 91=KP_Decimal

I have absolutely no use for doubly redundant keys for Home/End, Page Up/Down, Del, Ins, especially with a distance of inches between them.

THAT, my friend, is a awesome idea. I am so stealing that from you

JZL240I-U · 08-18-2014, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metaschima

If you ever have to input a lot of numbers into a spreadsheet and don't have a numberpad, you really are gonna wish you had one...

Oh, yeah, you do. Endorsed due to experience with literally tens of thousends of analog readings entered into puch cards...

.

G13man · 08-26-2014, 02:04 PM

lol , third try , I do not have a #key pad , just the #s at the top , I have an EZ-Reach Divork keyboard . IT does have a NUM key . hmmm , [ and the first 2 attempts i turned on that NUM key and typed where the tipical # would be on a normal key board and i deleted everythig posted above and was on a dif page @ this site ]

G13man · 08-26-2014, 02:11 PM

fou7rl/rl/cgf1123654789 123456798 ahhhhhhh found them
but i do not think the combo of this keyboard , U14LTS & hardware is supposed to do some of the things the NUM pad is doing here ,,