I have been using a computer for years and although I will have stumbled across this at some point it never stuck / sank in before.
There are 24 function keys assigned for keyboards. (F1-F24!)
That blew my mind!
What made you (re)discover this?
Recently I got a Stream Deck XL and while setting it up I had keyboard combinations clashing across applications and it was driving me round the bend!
While I was looking through the menu for assigning key combinations I spotted that the Function keys section had F13-F24 keys!?
5 minutes of Googling later and I was gobsmacked that I didn't know this before! Keyboards can have up to 24 function keys?
Anyway now that I knew about these "dead" keys that nobody uses anymore I had a way of stopping clashes.
How many extra keys / combinations does that give that won't clash?
When combined with Shift, Ctrl and Alt and Windows it gave me 60 keys / combinations guaranteed not to clash with anything else on your keyboard or interfere with 99% of software (and potentially another 120 keys / combinations if I want to use combinations of Shift, Ctrl, Alt and Windows combined).
Now I can program 60 keys into my stream deck for global functions and macros that will not clash with anything I currently have set up (or shortcuts already set within applications).
Anyway, I just thought it was interesting and I would share it!
Why Do You Have A Stream Deck, You Aren't A Streamer!
As to why I got a stream deck when I don't stream - article coming out next month on that but I can tell you the conclusion now...every developer should save up and buy one!
Anyway, a random post for tonight, did you know that there were 24 function keys and...does anybody own a keyboard that has the F13-F24 keys on?!?
Top comments (18)
I set up Keyboard Manager in PowerToys so when my numlock is off, the numpad keys function as f13-f24
Hello can u let me know how u were able to remap when numpadis off in keyboard manager? I don't see any option for that
In Keyboard Manager, open the
Remap a key
window, add a key remapping and with NumLock off, clickSelect
and press the numpad button you want to use.When NumLock is off, your numpad buttons map to: Ins, End, Down, PgDn, Left, Clear, Right, Home, Up, PgUp instead of the normal 0-9. It isn't a separate option, they just send different keys when NumLock is off.
I used to have one of those old server keyboards. F13 was a combination of alt or shift or control combined with F1 through F12.
Tested it with the scan codes the thing produced (when every hacker still used a paper reference) so while promising, collisions will happen as you will not get new combos.
Interesting as I havenโt had a collision (yet!)
I wonder if I have just been lucky, going to have to investigate now.
I donโt often say this but I really hope you are wrong! ๐๐คฃ
Thank you for the heads up as some of those bindings are linked to some things that if say 2 ran at once it could cause havoc, much appreciated! โค๏ธ
Your welcome, have you found any collisions yet?
quadibloc.com/comp/scan.htm has a lot of detail about it
Maybe I am just living under a rock? Who knows, I guess we will find out in the comments!
The one under the rock must be me, never heard of a stream deck until now ... why should "every" developer get one?
You will have to wait for the article for a persuasive argument but in short, programmable macro keys that adapt to the application you have open (the keys automatically change the screens and functions when you switch applications) is a game changer for most (all) developers as it can shave a few minutes off your day and our time is (should be) valuable.
I thought I was the only one on your table
I remember when I was kid I played the first time to The Secrets of Monkey Island, and found a log in the forest that told me to insert I-don't-remember-what-floppy and press F13....now I know that it was not an easter egg!
Haha so it is now the game that nobody can get 100% completion on nowadays!
Never knew that so that is interesting!
I can relate lol.
๐คฃ
Never Know. Thanks for the information.
"A stream deck a day keeps the bugs away"
๐๐คฃ
๐ Never knew about it
Glad it wasn't just me!