I've got one of those fancy keyboards with a bunch of keys on the top that in windows you can configure to do stuff, like launch programs (and the volume buttons can raise and lower the volume).

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with getting a keyboard like that to work with linux?

I'm using redhat 8, and the exact keyboard I have is called a "Microsoft Natural MultiMedia Keyboard".

Surprisingly (to me, anyway) it uses a regular ps/2 port, not a usb port.

I searched a bit in google, and I really couldn't find anything good other than something about each key having a "scancode"... but I have no idea what to do with it.

Anyone know about/have any experience with getting the extra buttons on keyboards to work?

Google for "acme hadess", acme is a program for multimedia keys, maybe that will work. It's a gnome2 app, just install it and then it'll integrate with the control panel.

Word of warning, it will also point an entirely pointless icon in your notification tray. We shout at hadess lots for this braindamage, and he says he'll get rid of it soon, but so far hasn't. So to use it, you'll have this pointless icon on screen at all time. Sucks, but shout at him as well and maybe he'll get the picture

Here is a tutorial (sorry it is from another forum ;-) ) that worked for me in mandrake, it might work in other distros aswell.

Bruno