The default for OS X 10.6 (and therefore 10.7, I presume) is to apply the "special feature" printed on a Fn key when the Fn keypress is not accompanied by the key with "fn" written on it which sits above the "delete" key.

You'll be able to change that behaviour in System Preferences > Keyboard so that the Fn keys behave as normal Fn keys without a simultaneous press of the "fn" key, and the "fn" key will be required for the "special features".

Here's a screenshot of the default setting which you will want to invert.

In this case, I don't see anything to complain about. The user has control over how to access the user-assignable "function" versus the "special feature" of a Fn key depending on the "fn" modifier key being pressed. A toggle to invert the behaviour is provided, as shown in my screenshot. This amounts to an addition to the traditional functionality (pun not intended) of the Fn keys, not a loss in functionality or restriction of choice.

(Also, there are the combinations of Cmd, Opt, Shift and Ctrl with the Fn keys.)

conroy wrote:

 

In this case, I don't see anything to complain about.

Seems pretty clear gator soup didn't expect that function to be taken over, and it's lucky that someone thought to include an option that could be changed to cause the function key to work the right way.  When do you think they might drop that option to reduce support cost even further?

Does Apple think there are just too many keys on the keyboard for the average user?  Maybe they've been taking too many service calls from ignorant users who can't figure out how to press two keys at once to change their screen brightness and instead of trying to educate people on how to actually use a computer they just choose to cater to their stupidity.

I guess one must not need the F2 key to play most of the games in the App Store.

I think I'll drop off the forum now.  I'm clearly in a foul mood today.  Something about testing Windows 8 stuff sent me down this path. 

-Noel

My comment didn't have any bearing on the function keys.

Message was edited by: R_Kelly