Re: Extended kbd on IIgs glitches ???

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <380p6p$50r@newsbf01.news.aol.com>,
GregDunn <gregdunn@aol.com> wrote:
> I bought an extended Apple keyboard for my IIgs so I could use all the
> nifty function keys, recognizing of course that not all apps support them.

Which extended keyboard did you get?  The original Apple Extended
Keyboard (model M0115; this is what I have), the Apple Extended
Keyboard II (with adjustable height and angle), or the "split" keyboard?

The last one does NOT work properly on the IIgs.  The other two should
work fine, unless there is something wrong with the keyboard.

>  Imagine my surprise when I hit an F-key in Applesoft and the keyboard
> started auto-repeating!  Hit any other key and it stops.  This behavior
> occurs in Teach, EGOEd, and a few other text-based programs.

That definitely isn't right.  In programs that don't know how to
handle them, the function keys should generate lowercase letters (e.g.
F1 will generate a 'z'), and should behave just like the normal keys
(i.e. holding down F1 will give you an auto-repeating 'z', but it
should stop when you let go of the key).

The function keys can be distinguished from the main keyboard by
examining the keyboard modifier register.  Function keys have the
"numeric keypad" flag bit set.  This is also available to desktop
programs in the event record.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand