Farsong Blog-o-Matic

I just found another reason to love Mac OSX: Keyboard support.

Not only can I disable the function of the Caps Lock key and turn it into a Control key (al la emacs) with global keyboard controls, but I can set profiles for individual keyboards.

This is super useful for keyboards with different layouts (say, using a PC layout keyboard and a Mac-layout keyboard — or when swapping keyboards out). It's useful mostly to touchtypists who have gotten used to the Macintosh layout of the keys but may use a "Standard PC" keyboard layout (the Super/Command and Alt/Option keys are swapped on PC/Mac Keyboards). Alternately useful to those used to PC-layout keyboards on a Mac-layout keyboard (though I think shortcut chords are easier to press with the location of the Command than the Control key).


(the “USB-PS2 Adapter” is built into my USB hub; I don't use it for the keyboard, but I do use it for the mouse, to save a USB port)

I just got my MacBook's keyboard replaced this afternoon. I had ordered a new keyboard/topcase (it's all one piece, including power button, keyboard, and trackpad) when I went to replace my power supply (after it had died in an epic, sparking death), but somehow the repair shop forgot to call me to let me know the topcase had come in. There had been some reorganisation on their end, so the phonecall had been lost in the shuffle, and then I had gotten busy with finals on my end, so it took until now that I actually followed up on it.

But I have a new keyboard on my MacBook now (with no squeaky keys or cracks); it's got a new matte finish, is clean, and the keys feel fine. They're not as snappy as the old ones — feel a little mushier (but I do have a heavy hand when typing on this machine), but it's sill very new and I haven't used it much. If anything, the keyboard is a little more like the new Aluminium Apple keyboard that I detest, but it still feels different on the MacBook than on a desktop. Also of note is the fact that none of the keys are shiny, yet.

The matte finish of the unworn keys is almost sticky — it feels that way perhaps because it's hot to-day, and my fingers stick lightly to the keys. The trackpad is also somewhat granular, also not yet worn smooth, and the mouse key is slightly “clickier” than before and will take a little getting used to.

Regardless of how the keys feel, the keyboard is accurate, smooth, and new. Moreover, the new keyboard still has the num-lock, the open-apple key, and the function keys in the right place on the keyboard. The machine looks fine, and the keyboard is of Apple's usual high quality.

All the software works fine, too; no modifications necessary in software because it was simply a hardware replacement. I was very pleased with the service at Computer Business Solutions just east of Downtown (by the old Costco, and just before the Office Depot) on the south side of Third. They were friendly, quick, smart^*, and even remembered my name. I'll take my Macs to be repaired there when need be.


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* The repair tech thought that it was amusing that I had my Mac set to boot in Verbose mode. He also liked my shirt.