The FN key is usually next to the Windows Key to the left of the space bar. My HP has 4 keys to the left of the spacebar, the alt key, the FN key, the Windows key and then the control key. The FN key is used to change what the F1 through F12 keys do. It used to be that you pressed this key with the appropriate function key in the top row to change screen brightness, volume and other such changes. Now, because so few software programs use the top row function keys within the software, the computer manufacturers have defaulted the top row function keys to change the screen brightness and so forth and you have to press the FN key in order to trigger software specific actions. Anyone who was a big WordPerfect 5.1 user will remember how many various actions could be done with pressing various function keys. I recall having a little cheat sheet that sat on the keyboard above the function keys to remind sighted users of what each key did. F7 to print, F5 to save, and so on. Oh, I'm feeling nostalgic. The menus and ribbons took away the need for most software programs to rely on function keys for various operations.
-----Original Message----- From: Talk [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Linette Sukup via Talk Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 8:38 PM To: [email protected]; Window-Eyes Discussion List Subject: Re: gun shy about new laptop I have an HP Pavilion purchased nearly two years ago, and I have very few issues with it. Now, this may sound stupid, but where is this fn key that people are talking about. I thought that all of the top row of little keys were function keys. Thank you. Peace. Linette On 4/12/2017 1:35 PM, Brenda via Talk wrote: > Hi robin, > > I have a similar story to yours. I am now a casual home computer user > as I no longer do medical transcription. I own a 15 inch Lenovo > laptop which I purchased last spring when my Win7 pc almost died. > > > When I called Window-eyes Tech support to find out what to avoid with > laptops, I was not warned about the function keys being designated and > the need to press the FN key to overide the default uses. Best buy > didn't tell me this eather until I had already paid for Geek Squad > service/set-up, and my laptop was ready to go home. > > > fortunately, my laptop does have an application key. Also, my numpad > has an insert key as part of the numpad. the numpad insert key is > very small, but it is there. could you have this key without > realizing it (just a thought)? > > > I still don't like having to use the FN key when i want to use the > Window-eyes copy & paste key F8 in some programs. It is a nuisance to > use the FN+fF6 key in Thunderbird as if you do it wrong it turns > airplane mode on and I lose my wifi connection. F5 to refresh is the > only other function key I have to look out for, but these are not > Window-eyes command keys. F1 is really tricky because it will mute > speech if the FN key is not pressed. that being said, it is sometimes > convenient to have the system function keys for things like volume and > close down. > > > I haven't used the laptop layout, but could that be a solution for now? > > > My Lenovo laptop cost $350 at Best Buy. It was discontinued shortly > after that, but it has what I need. Lenovo could be an option for you. > > > The only thing I like about laptops is that if the power goes out the > computer doesn't shut down. My husband was able to revive my Win7 > desktop, and I will use my Win7 desktop until it really dies and > forces me to become proficient with Win10 on a laptop, possibly with > the laptop layout for Window-eyes. > > > sorry for lengthening a short ansre. Just my thoughts on the subject. > > > Brenda > > because I will use my Win7 desktop until it really dies. > > > > > On 4/12/2017 12:14 PM, Van Lant, Robin via Talk wrote: >> Late last summer I got a new HP laptop. The primary thing that drew >> me to it in the store was the keyboard layout of having the 10-key >> number pad on the right, yet only being a 15 inch screen. What I did >> not realize until after I got it home and paid money for a tech to >> come help me set it up was two things. First, it does not have the >> application key, which I have learned to get around with the Shift >> F10 keystroke. The bigger problem was the whole thing we've talked >> about with now having to push the FN key in order to get the function >> keys to work the way I want. (I had not found someone who was >> comfortable going into the bios to help me see about changing this.) >> The biggest problem Is that this function key thing also applies to >> the Insert key, as it is right next to the F12 key. I've gotten >> pretty good at using the caps lock key instead, but this requires >> some real finger gymnastics to activate certain Window Eyes command. >> Aside from all this, there is also some > we >> ird clicking thing that the keyboard occasionally does that is >> annoying. All this to say, it's not been a great experience and had I >> not invested in paying a tech to set up the computer for me, I >> probably would have quickly returned it to Costco for a refund or >> exchange. >> >> So, I'm in a situation now where I may be giving this laptop to my >> sighted husband and getting a new one, but I'm gun-shy about how not >> to repeat this problem in my laptop selection. I am not a heavy >> computer user at home, so did not want to spend much money, although >> I'm not looking for the cheapest netbook thing either. I mainly >> looked at Best Buy and Costco, because I wanted to get my hands on >> the keyboard and feel the layout. I like that Costco doubles the >> manufacturer's warranty and provides great, free help desk support >> for the computers purchased there. >> >> Any advice from those of you having purchased computers lately on how >> to navigate this keyboard dilemma, especially if buying one online? >> I'd really like to stay in the $500 range, if possible. >> >> Robin Van Lant | Sr. Program Manager >> Strategy & Performance Management | Key Equipment Finance >> 720-304-1060 | [email protected] >> >> >> >> This communication may contain privileged and/or confidential >> information. It is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If >> you are not the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from >> disclosing, copying, distributing or using any of this information. >> If you received this communication in error, please contact the >> sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether >> electronic or hard copy. This communication may contain nonpublic >> personal information about consumers subject to the restrictions of >> the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. You may not directly or indirectly reuse >> or redisclose such information for any purpose other than to provide >> the services for which you are receiving the information. >> >> 127 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114 If you prefer not to receive >> future e-mail offers for products or services from Key send an e-mail >> to mailto:[email protected] with 'No Promotional E-mails' in the >> SUBJECT line. >> _______________________________________________ >> Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the >> author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. >> >> For membership options, visit >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/bjnite%40windstream.net. >> >> For subscription options, visit >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com >> List archives can be found at >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com >> >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/linettesukup%40att.net. > > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/robin_van_lant%40key.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com This communication may contain privileged and/or confidential information. It is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing or using any of this information. If you received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether electronic or hard copy. This communication may contain nonpublic personal information about consumers subject to the restrictions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. You may not directly or indirectly reuse or redisclose such information for any purpose other than to provide the services for which you are receiving the information. 127 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114 If you prefer not to receive future e-mail offers for products or services from Key send an e-mail to mailto:[email protected] with 'No Promotional E-mails' in the SUBJECT line. _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
