Tech Talk: Understanding Special Keys

The Case of the Inexplicable Keys

By Brian Boston

I have been getting your questions. Here’s a sample, answered privately and expanded a bit here for your benefit.

Question: I recently acquired a new keyboard. After installing it, I inspected it, and had to admit that it has numerous keys the purpose of which I can’t even begin to guess. Some of these keys have symbols which I know are supposed to be “intuitive”, but they are not intuitive to me. There is no instruction manual. How do I figure them out? (GMW)

Keyboard makers add all sorts of enhancement to make their products stand out from the pack. Additional keys are one of those items though few people I know actually use them. Perhaps they have the same problem you have: no manual. .

Finding Manuals Manually

If no obvious documentation comes with your keyboard, and there is no disk included, it is still possible to find documentation on the web by looking in the support pages of your keyboard model.

As example, Microsoft’s keyboard drivers and docs can be found on their hardware support download site. Logitech also has a support location for its keyboards and keyboard/mice combos.

Aside the usual alpha numeric/function keys found on most PC keyboards, these keyboards either make use of system commands, Windows default options for email, web browser, media player, etc. or send a signal to a installed keyboard application. This application will automate a task or launch additional applications. Your best documentation is often to load the keyboard application and see that that key means in there.

In the meantime, here are common key symbols you might see:

In addition many keyboards have unlabeled keys that can be assigned a commonly accessed web page or launch a favorite application. Actually, many of labeled keys also can be reassigned other duties.

To manage these duties, you need the software from the keyboard manufacturer.

Microsoft’s older keyboards used IntelleType software, the counterpoint to their IntellePoint mouse software. Newer keyboards use the Mouse and Keyboard Center. Choose your keyboard in Microsoft’s Hardware Support Download site to determine which is appropriate for you to download.

Logitech’s keyboards use a number of utilities depending on age, method of connection and other features. SetPoint is their utility for customizing keys. Again, locating the model of keyboard or keyboard/mouse combo is the first step, then choosing Download to see your options.

Other keyboard makers will have similar download available on their web sites.

If you prefer more advanced key assignment and don’t mind doing a little scripting or using prepared scripts, AutoHotkey is a nifty open source key macro tool with an active community of fans supporting it.

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Do you have a follow up on this topic or technical question on that needs to be answered or explored? Please share it with me at brian@bostonlegacyworks.com. Your question may show up here on Tech Talk.

On Sunday, April 27th, Brian will be leading another Computer Q/A at The Commons session at Third Place Commons in Town Center at Lake Forest Park. The 2:30pm session topic is “Making Sense of Social Media.” More information at thirdplacecommons.org/calendar.