one of the first things I did when I got my Mac was to change the way the function keys operate. By default, when you press a function key, it performs a built-in hardware function like brightness, volume etc. to use them for software functions, like opening VoiceOver utility, you have to press FN in conjunction with them. In system preferences, under "keyboard", select the keyboard tab and tab over to the checkbox "use all F1, F2, etc as standard function keys, and press space to select it. . Now, you don't need to press FN along with the function key to perform the software function. But, to perform the hardware function like f11 and f12 for volume down and up, you need to add the FN key.
May I suggest you search for David Woodbridge on the AppleVis.com site. He did an excellent series of podcasts for basic mac operation. Also, use the built-in help system on the Mac. press VO+H (control option H) and select and read through the Quick stet tutorial, getting started guide, and online help. Everything you'll need to master VoiceOver is in there. On Dec 4, 2013, at 5:44 PM, Georgina Joyce <g...@gena-j.me.uk> wrote: > Hello, > > I’m a new Mac user but feel it’s worth it. What is happening here is that > there are 2 levels of function keys. By default they are hardware controls > i.e. volume and brightness. So by pressing Function key + VO + F8 will get > you there. The Function is next to the VO keys. Thus you just need to hold > the bottom left-hand 3 keys and then press F8 and let go. > > HTH > > Gena > > > On 4 Dec 2013, at 21:55, Lee Jones <leejones...@sky.com> wrote: > >> Dear List,I got my macbook air today. I hav found it a very tough learning >> curve. I can't get control option f8 to bring up the voice over utility no >> matter how many times I try,, a sighted person has also tried and it does >> not work. Does the focus have to be somewhere special to make this work?How >> do you turn off the macbook do you use the on off button or is there a way >> in OSX itself, a shut down button? Can Someone explain very simply the >> difference between the functions of control option and the arrow keys, >> control option command and the arrow keys,control option shift and the arrow >> keys because maybe I'm thick but I don't get it! >> is it possible to download voices without using the voice over utility? I >> am suddenly not hating freedom scientific quite so much. >> >> Many Thanks, Lee -----Original Message----- >> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brandon Olivares >> Sent: 04 December 2013 15:18 >> To: “Mac Visionaries“ >> Subject: Re: Option Key Not Working >> >> Nope it doesn't matter if keyboard commander is on or off. >> >> On Dec 4, 2013, at 3:59 AM, "Red.Falcon" <velocity.focu...@virginmedia.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Hi! >>> OK just a couple of ideas! >>> 1, do you have both option keys set to use with keyboard commander! >>> 2, Just try switching off keyboard commander with VO+shift+k and see if the >>> option key things like € • and others! >>> I've found if you need to use those items it is best to toggle on or off >>> keyboard commander when needed! >>> HTH Colin >>> >>> On 4 Dec 2013, at 07:25, Brandon Olivares <programmer2...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Hello, >>>> >>>> My option key works technically, as if I press ctrl-option-space it works >>>> just fine. >>>> >>>> However, if I try to navigate by word with option left or right arrow, it >>>> doesn't work. The cursor just doesn't move and voiceover doesn't say >>>> anything. I can use command arrow to navigate, or just the arrow keys >>>> themselves, but not using option. >>>> >>>> i also can't use it to enter special characters, like accents and such. >>>> >>>> But it does work when I use it for keyboard commander to open certain >>>> applications. So it seems very selective about when it works or not. I >>>> don't understand why this is happening. >>>> >>>> Any ideas? >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Brandon >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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