4 ms·

Good riddance to function keys. They're slowly being pushed out of reach on many computers but my fairly new PC laptop still has sysrq and break keys. That's pr

by Hondor 10y ago

Good riddance to function keys. They're slowly being pushed out of reach on many computers but my fairly new PC laptop still has sysrq and break keys. That's pretty objectionable.

mcv 10y ago
I never know which one I need anyway. A context sensitive touch bar may actually be a good idea once software starts to support it.
hobarrera 10y ago
Good thing about a 2013 MBA, is that I can run software from the nineties (I've actually been playing Diablo II lately). Removing function keys breaks compatibility with that. Sure, you can configure the touchbar, but have you tried working/playing while having to look down at a keyboard?
- akamaozu 10y ago
  Diablo II is the greatest. Not sure why you need function keys to play it though.
  - hobarrera 10y ago
    To switch between skills. They're the default keybindings.
oneeyedpigeon 10y ago
If you're referring to the 'Fn' functionality, I totally agree - I'm not even sure what any of those are used for on OSX. If you're referring to the keys themselves, which control things like volume, media playback, and brightness, as well as offering a very convenient shortcut to the Launchpad (which I personally use frequently), I find them incredibly useful. I can see some uses for contextual keys, but I can also imagine some pretty annoying inconveniences with this implementation. For example, if I'm in an application that 'takes over' the function keys, is it possible to still access media playback controls? Do I have to switch to whichever app is currently playing audio to access them? Is it possible to disable the contextual keys altogether and have a static, traditional set? Or is there a hotkey to toggle between app-specific and 'global' function keys?
- H4CK3RM4N 10y ago
  As best as I can tell. While playing audio an icon comes up you can tap to open up audio controls.
Ezhik 10y ago
My entire multiple desktop setup relies on function keys :(

by Hondor 10y ago

Good riddance to function keys. They're slowly being pushed out of reach on many computers but my fairly new PC laptop still has sysrq and break keys. That's pretty objectionable.

mcv 10y ago

I never know which one I need anyway. A context sensitive touch bar may actually be a good idea once software starts to support it.

hobarrera 10y ago

Good thing about a 2013 MBA, is that I can run software from the nineties (I've actually been playing Diablo II lately). Removing function keys breaks compatibility with that. Sure, you can configure the touchbar, but have you tried working/playing while having to look down at a keyboard?

akamaozu 10y ago
Diablo II is the greatest. Not sure why you need function keys to play it though.
- hobarrera 10y ago
  To switch between skills. They're the default keybindings.

oneeyedpigeon 10y ago

If you're referring to the 'Fn' functionality, I totally agree - I'm not even sure what any of those are used for on OSX. If you're referring to the keys themselves, which control things like volume, media playback, and brightness, as well as offering a very convenient shortcut to the Launchpad (which I personally use frequently), I find them incredibly useful. I can see some uses for contextual keys, but I can also imagine some pretty annoying inconveniences with this implementation. For example, if I'm in an application that 'takes over' the function keys, is it possible to still access media playback controls? Do I have to switch to whichever app is currently playing audio to access them? Is it possible to disable the contextual keys altogether and have a static, traditional set? Or is there a hotkey to toggle between app-specific and 'global' function keys?

H4CK3RM4N 10y ago
As best as I can tell. While playing audio an icon comes up you can tap to open up audio controls.

Ezhik 10y ago

My entire multiple desktop setup relies on function keys :(