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Old 02-22-2006, 12:44 AM   #1
daihard
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Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard


Hi.

I am using a Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard with Fedora Core 4. The keyboard has quite a few special keys, such as application launchers and media buttons. I'd like to utilize as many of them as possible.

Some of them produce keycodes that can be captured using xev. I can then modify ~/.Xmodmap to map those keys and use KDE's key binding feature to assign each key to an action, such as running an application. That's all good.

My question is, is there a way to utilize the keys that do not produce keycodes? For instance, this keyboard has five "blank" keys that can be user-defined. The driver from Microsoft, which of course only works with Windows and Mac, lets you assign tasks for those keys. However, xev doesn't capture any output when those keys are pressed.

Any input would be appreciated.

TIA,
Dai
 
Old 02-22-2006, 08:03 AM   #2
RedShirt
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No. You cannot use a key that linux doesn't see. You can try other keyboard maps until you get more keys recognized, but currently that is your only option.

Currently, to me, keyboard support is by far the lowest thing in linux right now. Everything else is approaching or at the level Windows(and for certain things, has surpassed) but keyboards seem to be totally ignored during all stages of development for kernel, distros, and WMs/DEs.
 
Old 02-22-2006, 10:12 AM   #3
daihard
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedShirt
No. You cannot use a key that linux doesn't see. You can try other keyboard maps until you get more keys recognized, but currently that is your only option.

Currently, to me, keyboard support is by far the lowest thing in linux right now. Everything else is approaching or at the level Windows(and for certain things, has surpassed) but keyboards seem to be totally ignored during all stages of development for kernel, distros, and WMs/DEs.
Hi RedShirt.

Thanks much for the quick response. I guess I'll have to wait for the smart guys to start paying attention to those multifunctional keyboards, then. At least it's good to know what can and cannot be done.
 
Old 02-22-2006, 10:26 AM   #4
RedShirt
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You could always try to make a new keyboard map yourself, sadly keyboard maps are all differently available across different distros I have tried. Having the very similiar Digital Media Pro keyboard, and the identical wireless comfort available as well... I would love some good keyboard maps and xmodmaps for those keys. That would be great.

I haven't really looked into it myself, but you would think logitech at least would make some. I know why microsoft doesn't...but you would think somewhere, someone would be making these things. I haven't been able to find any, and haven't cared enough to start looking into making my own, but the possibility is there.
 
Old 02-22-2006, 10:46 AM   #5
daihard
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedShirt
I haven't really looked into it myself, but you would think logitech at least would make some. I know why microsoft doesn't...but you would think somewhere, someone would be making these things. I haven't been able to find any, and haven't cared enough to start looking into making my own, but the possibility is there.
I know what you mean. Microsoft could at least make sure each and every key on their keyboard does send a signal to the computer instead of having the user rely solely upon their software driver to recognize certain keys.

Those five "My Favourites" keys are sitting there waiting for me to use them...
 
  


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