[Tex2002ans]

Originally Posted by Hitch

There's no manual. NONE. You don't know what does what. You have to sit there, like a booby, trying keystroke combos, to find out WHY you just lost an hour of work, because you got dumped out.

I will also say: if you use print-screen often, do NOT buy this keypad. I do, and I was stupid. You have to hit func+[, to get Print screen. That drives me nuts. Yes, it's a matter of retraining the muscle memory, but...

This page:

http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

has a link on the side pointing to the manual:

http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/manual

Not a good manual, but it did explain Num/Scroll Lock, Print Screen, (and a handful of other Function combinations). It DOES look like a butt-ugly document that could have been whipped up in Notepad though.

As to why it boots you out, no idea what keys you are pushing. I am going to take a wild guess and say it is the "Contextual Menu": Fn+Alt? You might just be able to use an AutoHotKey script to disable that crap (and also you could use that to remap a lot of those alternate functions to fit your own personal usage better).

Originally Posted by Hitch

I don't think I can ever--ever--remember loathing a keyboard like I do this one.

That is how I feel about most Laptop keyboards (and a reason why I don't use/like "Ergonomic" keyboards). :P

I was typing on a laptop recently, and the STUPID layout had a very tiny Enter + Right Shift button, and the arrow keys were squished in half-size form underneath the Enter key. Now THAT design is absurdity.

I didn't get the model of the laptop, but it looked like something along these lines (although the Enter key was also absolutely fudged up):

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/18790.jpg

Originally Posted by Hitch

I purchased a Kinesis number pad, but that drops off the USB every time the computer sleeps/hibernates. SUCH fun.

Hmmm, never had it happen to me, but I have heard it through the grapevine with USB devices. Could be a Windows problem with turning off the power to USB ports while suspending:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/cont...sb-problem.htm

Also, any specific reason you Suspend/Hibernate? I have never found the need to do that on a desktop, ever. It is more of laptop functionality to reserve power.

Originally Posted by Hitch

For reasons that utterly elude me, these dolts put "undo, cut, copy and paste" on the left-hand keyboard, at the left-most edge. WHY???? What the frack for?

Probably what most people would say about all of the function keys (most people have NEVER pushed F1-F12 in their lives).

You could again, just always remap those keys... just as if you wanted to remap any of the "useless" F# keys.

Probably could just use AutoHotKey to override those Cut/Paste keys into something more useful (like Print Screen, Page Up/Down).

Originally Posted by Hitch

You cannot, for the life of you, feel the damn home keys.

Hmmm, can't say I ever actually used the bump on the home keys (besides when I first learned to type). I actually forgot those things even existed!

If my fingers ever go off by one (what typically happens when I use those dastardly laptop keyboards), then I instantly see my output is off. One quick look down and I shift my fingers back home (slight annoyance)... but I suspect that sort of problem is multiplied ten-fold with those angled ergonomic keyboards.

Side Note: I just took a look down at my keyboard and it looks like mine has a little "underscore" looking bump. Can't say I ever felt it before... but now that I you have pointed out that it exists, I will probably feel it all the time. Thanks "The Princess and the Pea"!

Originally Posted by Hitch

P.S.: yes, it's quiet-ish. That's the one good thing. And the lettering won't wear off, before I shoot the holy motherloving s**t out of it.

You see? Best keyboard ever! Now when are we switching to DVORAK?

Originally Posted by PeterT

Any chance a keyboard remapping program might help? See https://sharpkeys.codeplex.com for one such tool.

That specific remapper can't handle this:

Map multiple key presses to one key - e.g. it will not support an attempt to remap Ctrl+C to the F5 key

which I believe is one if the most important functionalities needed (especially on a keyboard with less keys than a full-sized keyboard).

I believe Hitch already uses/is familiar with AutoHotKey, so that might be a more suitable tool.

Although good recommendation PeterT. Remapping was exactly where my first thoughts were while reading the post.