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 (22)
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 keywindow, add a key remapping and with NumLock off, clickSelectand 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.
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?
Hmmm, nah. Don't worry, buddy. I'M the one under the rock. I've been commenting and replying to comments on this thread the last 10 minutes and only just noticed it's 4 years old lol!
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 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.
Aah, good times, bro(grammer). Good times. =) Sometimes I almost miss the "good old days" when things were simpler and a Commodore64 or '286 were top-o-the-line, cutting edge. Glad I'm not the only "OG" hacker/geek. x)
Interesting as I haven’t had a collision (yet!)
I wonder if I have just been lucky, going to have to investigate now.
I don’t often say this but I really hope you are wrong! 😜🤣
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! ❤️
Your welcome, have you found any collisions yet?
quadibloc.com/comp/scan.htm has a lot of detail about it
...Which is why I'm a Linux zealot. I use Windows when forced to, but ever since I discovered Slackware/RedHat Linux back in the day I've never looked back. Windows has gotten better over the years, of course, but Linux is like Windows on steroids...without the side-effects. xP
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.
There can be interference if with Win and Alt due to Windows using them in isolation for some things. Safest I found is Ctrl which isn't used in isolation by Window for anything. Alt unexpectedly caused weird issues in some programs as it is used for menu navigation in isolation or in combination with other keys.
Shift can be ignored so I find not safe generally by many programs.
"A stream deck a day keeps the bugs away"
😉🤣
👀 Never knew about it
Glad it wasn't just me!
Never Know. Thanks for the information.