Useful KB remapping utility...

[Dedicated_Dad]

As I mentioned in my "brag" about my new notebook, the lack of a straight "home" and "end" key were maddening.

These keys were mapped with a "function" key combo over the really undersized "arrow" keys on this machine - a fact which was driving me nuts. Having to use both hands to get to a simple and often-used keystroke was really eating at me...

I'd hoped to be able to map my Prtsc/SysRq and Pause/Break keys (full sized, go figure) to home and end, but wasn't able to find a util that could handle it.

I did find something that worked nearly as well, and thought others might be able to use it as well...

"Sharpkeys" ( http://www.randyrants.com/2008/12/sharpkeys_30.html ) is a bit of freeware which allows you to remap key functions. In Windows this is all a registry hack which can be done manually, however with all the different manufacturers out there it can be really complex to avoid screwing it up -- and you could potentially create a real problem for yourself -- so I was hesitant to try doing it manually...

With SharpKeys you simply record the keystroke you want to replace, then the one you want to replace it WITH. Click "Apply" and it makes the registry change, then a logout (not full reboot) is required to enable the change.

I mapped my right-hand Windows "menu" key to Home, and the right "control" key to "end." It's working pretty well, actually I guess better than if i'd been able to do what I originally wanted since the arrows, page-up/page-down and my new home/end are all together at the bottom/right of my KB. It's a little bit odd at first - since I'm used to pg up/down and home/end being at the top, but having all my "moving" keys together is actually very useful...

I'd advise - as I did - finding the reg key and exporting beforehand just to CYA -- the util makes it easy to revert by simply deleting the mapping you created but I felt better about being sure I could guarantee full reversal.

If anyone has better options, please let me know -- otherwise I hope this can be useful to someone else!

DD

[moose42]

Oh man you could really screw with someone using that utility... Umm not that I would or anything.

Meh never mind, it would be just as effective to change someones keyboard layout to Dvorak.

[mekender]

Oh man you could really screw with someone using that utility... Umm not that I would or anything.

Meh never mind, it would be just as effective to change someones keyboard layout to Dvorak.

It is significantly easier to just change someone's default windows language to german...

[Dedicated_Dad]

Leave it to this bunch to immediately think of uses which might make someone else's life harder rather than how it might make THEIR lives easier...

And you still wonder why Mommy didn't want to buy you that Red Ryder BB Gun with the compass in the stock and the thing that tells time?



Really?

DD

PS: I know such things are genetic. My daughters - both still in elementary school at the time - figured out within days of getting computers how to switch the sisters' mouse-buttons, take the ball out of the mouse, and other annoying tricks.

When one of them set the default colors to "black on black" -- making it impossible for me to fix without a complete rebuild -- I taught some unforgettable lessons as to how stupid it is to piss off the computer-geek responsible for keeping your critical systems functioning...

But I digress...

DD

[randy]

Anybody remember (and have used) Rude DOS? (Maybe I ought to link this to the old tech thread)