Function Keys

This utility was implemented in compliance with OPEN LOOK functional specifications, and is provided for use by application developers and for users to program their function keys. It is not supported by the default DeskSet applications at this time.

The OpenWindows Function Keys utility is a dynamic on-screen version of the function keys on the keyboard. (Note that this feature is currently supported on Type-4 keyboards only.) The function keys on the on-screen utility display the functions of the current application, providing that application has function keys support. Otherwise the keys are blank. The key labels are automatically updated when the pointer is moved to another application.

Because the Function Keys panel is equivalent to the function keys on your keyboard, you can choose items from the on-screen function keys (by clicking SELECT on the appropriate key) or from the keyboard itself.

To display the Function Keys utility window, choose Workspace -> Utilities -> Function Keys.

When you release the mouse button, the Function Keys pop-up window is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

You must have the Click Select (or "click-to-type") option set for the Function Keys utility to work properly. See Chapter 17, Customizing the Solaris Environment, for information regarding this option.

Figure 18-1 shows the Function Keys window. In this example, the function keys have been programmed to modify colors on the workspace.

Figure 18-1 Function Keys Window

International Keyboard Support

A range of international keyboards are available through the Function Keys utility's multiple language support feature. This feature displays an on-screen keyboard with keys that correspond to those on the physical keyboard. When you display one of the international keyboards through a DeskSet or other XView application, the keys you type on your physical keyboard remap to the international characters, and those characters appear in the text region of the XView application window.

To display the keyboard of your choice:

1. Choose Workspace -> Utilities -> Function Keys.

2. Pin the Function Keys window to the workspace.

3. Click SELECT in an XView application window, such as a Command Tool, in which you would like to use a set of international characters.

4. Press the Language key on your keyboard, and continue to press it until instructed to release it.

   This key is labeled PrSC, or Print Screen.

   Each of the function keys labels displays one of the international languages that the virtual keyboard supports, as shown in Figure 18-2.

   Figure 18-2 Function Keys Mapped with the Supported Languages

   
   

5. Click SELECT on More to cycle through the available character sets.

6. Click SELECT on the button for the language you would like to use.

7. Click SELECT on the Show button.

   The virtual keyboard for that language appears on the workspace. The French keyboard is shown in Figure 18-3.

   Figure 18-3 French Virtual Keyboard

   
   

8. Pin the keyboard window.

9. Click SELECT on the Set button in the Function Keys window.

10. Release the language button.

11. Begin typing in the XView application window from which you opened the keyboard.

    The characters you type appear in the chosen character set.

Switching Between Virtual Keyboards

You can access a few characters or symbols from another language or alternate character sets interactively, and then return to typing with your usual character set. For example, you might want to type a few Greek characters inside a document that is in English. To change to a different character set and back again:

1. Open the document and enter the text in your local language.

2. When you want to switch languages, press and hold the Language key.

   This key is labled R2 or Print Screen.

3. In the Function Keys window, click SELECT on the button for the language to which you want to change temporarily.

   Continue to press the Language key.

4. Type in the characters you want to add.

   These characters appear in the document in the language you have chosen.

5. Release the Language key.

   Anything you type now appears in your local language.