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Do people even use function keys? The only shortcuts I've seen people use are Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. I think this is a step backward because it'll make it harder to

Do people even use function keys? The only shortcuts I've seen people use are Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. I think this is a step backward because it'll make it harder to touch-type and there's a possibility that the word processor can remove your volume controls.

manarth 10y ago
Like most of the replies, yes to the volume/media/brightness controls. I also still use the old "Dashboard" overlay (using the FunctionFlip widget to remap the F4 key to how it used to behave prior to Yosemite), and Exposé. Part of me doesn't want to see these keys taken away, made context-sensitive, or made 'flat' and losing the haptic feedback. Another part of me wonders if this is just the standard resistance-to-change behaviour, and I might discover all sorts of good uses for the feature. Loss of haptic feedback would be a big negative, but two years ago Apple patented a virtual keyboard with haptic feedback on individual keys: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/03/19/apple-patent-mac-keyboard-haptic/ http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/03/19/apple-patent-mac-key... Perhaps its time has come?
Randgalt 10y ago
Developers use Function keys - yes.
- intoverflow2 10y ago
  Do developers need an LCD display to remember when their function keys do?
  - Randgalt 10y ago
    I'm actually a bit worried about this. Function keys had better be "functional". :D
grincho 10y ago
For about 15 years, I've bound each of my commonly used applications to a function key. This lets me work on a laptop-sized display without constant, furious alt-tabbing or hunting around with the mouse. Add an external keyboard with proper spacing between groups of function keys so you can touch type, and you have an almost autonomic app-switching experience.
Cthulhu_ 10y ago
I use the media and volume controls, sometimes the brightness ones (when the mac decides to make the brightness lower than I'd like it to be).
falcolas 10y ago
Yes, all the time. There are multiple helpful controls on them, and the function keys themselves are useful in many editors. I'm not keen to lose them in favor of a touch screen that can change on a whim, with minimal tactical feedback.
mvdwoord 10y ago
This. I would hate for the new "pro" macbook to come with non physical keys for stuff like volume/brightness control. Please apple, there are people who don't just use it to fuck about on facebook in a coffeeshop. People who can't remember basic shortcuts like copy/paste have plenty of alternatives. I find the choices we have for "pro" laptops lacking as it is. On top of my wishlist are: - 32 GB (or more) memory - Better battery life / supported external battery packs - Multitude of ports (add USB-C but keep some "legacy" around as well)
dingo_bat 10y ago
I use F3 to search everywhere. Also my byobu actions are all tied to the F keys. I hate those laptops that default to Fn instead of F and provide no toggle between them.
- manarth 10y ago
  > I hate those laptops that default to Fn instead of F and provide no toggle between them. Agreed…Apple don't provide a simple toggle, thankfully there's a free third-party widget for this (called "FunctionFlip").
  - Ankhers 10y ago
    Yes they do. There is a checkbox under System Preferences > Keyboard. Though, function flip seems to work on a per key basis. While the apple toggle will toggle all of the F keys.
    - manarth 10y ago
      Oh, I wasn't aware of that, thank you.
- bluedino 10y ago
  >> I use F3 to search everywhere Ctrl-F!
  - dingo_bat 10y ago
    2 keys vs 1!

manarth 10y ago

Like most of the replies, yes to the volume/media/brightness controls. I also still use the old "Dashboard" overlay (using the FunctionFlip widget to remap the F4 key to how it used to behave prior to Yosemite), and Exposé. Part of me doesn't want to see these keys taken away, made context-sensitive, or made 'flat' and losing the haptic feedback. Another part of me wonders if this is just the standard resistance-to-change behaviour, and I might discover all sorts of good uses for the feature. Loss of haptic feedback would be a big negative, but two years ago Apple patented a virtual keyboard with haptic feedback on individual keys: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/03/19/apple-patent-mac-keyboard-haptic/ http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/03/19/apple-patent-mac-key... Perhaps its time has come?

Randgalt 10y ago

Developers use Function keys - yes.

intoverflow2 10y ago
Do developers need an LCD display to remember when their function keys do?
- Randgalt 10y ago
  I'm actually a bit worried about this. Function keys had better be "functional". :D

grincho 10y ago

For about 15 years, I've bound each of my commonly used applications to a function key. This lets me work on a laptop-sized display without constant, furious alt-tabbing or hunting around with the mouse. Add an external keyboard with proper spacing between groups of function keys so you can touch type, and you have an almost autonomic app-switching experience.

Cthulhu_ 10y ago

I use the media and volume controls, sometimes the brightness ones (when the mac decides to make the brightness lower than I'd like it to be).

falcolas 10y ago

Yes, all the time. There are multiple helpful controls on them, and the function keys themselves are useful in many editors. I'm not keen to lose them in favor of a touch screen that can change on a whim, with minimal tactical feedback.

mvdwoord 10y ago

This. I would hate for the new "pro" macbook to come with non physical keys for stuff like volume/brightness control. Please apple, there are people who don't just use it to fuck about on facebook in a coffeeshop. People who can't remember basic shortcuts like copy/paste have plenty of alternatives. I find the choices we have for "pro" laptops lacking as it is. On top of my wishlist are: - 32 GB (or more) memory - Better battery life / supported external battery packs - Multitude of ports (add USB-C but keep some "legacy" around as well)

dingo_bat 10y ago

I use F3 to search everywhere. Also my byobu actions are all tied to the F keys. I hate those laptops that default to Fn instead of F and provide no toggle between them.

manarth 10y ago
> I hate those laptops that default to Fn instead of F and provide no toggle between them. Agreed…Apple don't provide a simple toggle, thankfully there's a free third-party widget for this (called "FunctionFlip").
- Ankhers 10y ago
  Yes they do. There is a checkbox under System Preferences > Keyboard. Though, function flip seems to work on a per key basis. While the apple toggle will toggle all of the F keys.
  - manarth 10y ago
    Oh, I wasn't aware of that, thank you.
bluedino 10y ago
>> I use F3 to search everywhere Ctrl-F!
- dingo_bat 10y ago
  2 keys vs 1!