Xah Lee, , …,
You have those F1 F2 … F12 keys on your keyboard right? For most people, those keys are like a waste of space, never used. Even most “hackers” don't know how to use these keys efficiently. These keys are the most useful productivity enhancement keys. This page tells you what you can do with these keys, why they are efficient, and how to set them.
This article assumes you are using a full-sized keyboard, not laptop keyboard. If you are using laptop keyboard, the following advices may not apply. (because function keys on laptop are hard to press.)
One of the best use for function keys is switching apps. I've been using this since 1992, across Mac and Windows.
Normally, to switch app you have to do 【Alt+Tab ⇆】 or 【⌘ Cmd+Tab ⇆】, or even using Windows Flip3D or Instant Viewer or Mac's Exposé. They involve multiple keys or followed by mouse click. The Tab ⇆ is pressed by pinky — the weakest finger. But worst is that you have to take a second to eye-ball among 10 windows to look for the one you want.
For most of us, there are 3 or 4 specific apps we use everyday, and have to constantly switch to it many times every hour. Examples: web browser, music player, email app, word processor, folders, image viewer, video editor, instant messenger. Or, command terminal, spreadsheet, text editor, IDE, etc.
It is extremely convenient to have a single key to switch to a specific app you use often. For example, let's say your web browser is Firefox. You can set F8 to switch/launch it. Doesn't matter which app you are in, just one key, and you are back to Firefox instantly.
It's good to have F5 F6 F7 F8 for switching to the apps you use the most often.
On Windows, if you have pinned apps in Taskbar of Windows 7 (or Quick Launch bar in Windows Vista), the keys are 【Win+1】 【Win+2】 etc. Still, 2 keys too many. Another major problem is that, for many apps such as browser, it'll just launch a new instance, not switching to a existing window. On many keyboards, they also have special buttons to launch apps. But these buttons have several problems. ① They are harder to press than Function keys. ② They are in hard-to-reach places. ③ Their positions and size are not standardized. It requires looking to press the button.
See also: Windows Logo Key Keyboard Shortcuts.
The traditional keys for {Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste} are Z X C V, while holding Ctrl or Cmd. That's 2 key presses. You can set F1 F2 F3 F4 to them.
Copy and Paste is by far the most used keys. Setting them to single key saves you a lot hand stress.
If you are short of F keys, you can just set F1 F2 to Copy Paste. This saves you 2 F keys for other needs that you use more frequently than Undo and Cut.
On Mac and Linux, you have virtual screen called “workspace”. Typically, the OS provides you with keys such as 【Ctrl+Alt+→】 to switch. That's 3 combo-keys requiring both hands.
If you use workspace heavily, then F9 F10 F11 F12 are perfect keys for it.
Today, web browsers support tabbed window. Often, you have 10 or more tabs in a browser. The hotkey to switch to previous/next tab varies depending on browser. For example, for Next Tab, there's:
They all require multiple keys (except Opera). Using a mouse is more cumbersome, because you have to take a second to aim at the right tab.
It would be very convenient to set F11 F12 for prev/next tab. Pressing one of these key can quickly fly you thru all your tabs.
Also, you might set a key for closing the current tab. By default, the key is 【Ctrl+w】. For me, the key i choose is Pause, because that key is never used. Its nice to set a key close to but away from F keys. That way, you won't accidentally close a tab. (usually, in most browsers, you can press 【Ctrl+Shift+t】 to reopen. In Safari, it's undo 【Ctrl+z】)
Mac OS X: There are several quality app launcher software. App Launcher lets you set a key to launch/switch to the app. I recommend Quicksilver. It's free. For many other, see: Mac OS X Keyboard Layout, Keymapping, Keybinding, Tools.
For Windows, the best easy choice is to buy a Microsoft keyboard then use the bundled IntelliType software. It's a GUI app, easy to use. Highly recommended. (works for Mac too) If you are not sure, see: What Microsoft IntelliType Can Do and Cannot Do. My guess is that keyboards by Logitech also has good key macro software bundled free (according to Amazon reviews), but i've not had it.
Alternatively, on Windows, you can use AutoHotkey. It's also free. AutoHotkey is the most powerful, but is for programer only because you have to spend sometime to learn the language. Here's a quick tutorial: Windows Programing: AutoHotkey Tutorial. For other options, see: Keyboard Layout ＆ Key Macro tools for Windows.
You know how some keyboard have button-style function keys? Imagine typing on this keyboard and you'll know how it feels:
You should choose a keyboard that has the function keys arranged in 3 blocks, 4 keys each. Avoid keyboards that have them as one continuous row. Because, those arranged in blocks lets you easily press the correct key without needing to look at the keyboard.
Also, you should avoid keyboard that has button-styled function keys. The buttons are hard to press. Hard to know if you pressed them correctly.
Here's a quick recommendation. If you must have ergonomic keyboard (split-keyboard) like me, then i recommend: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 or Ergonomic Split Keyboards or see Ergonomic Keyboards Gallery. (Unfortunately, most ergonomic keyboards have function keys in one continuous row.)
If straight keyboard is fine, then i recommend the cheapest PC keyboard (usually under $15) (See: PC Keyboard gallery.) or a Gaming Keyboards (which includes lots of extra function keys and good key macro software).
If you want fancier straight keyboard, actually i recommend gaming keyboards. Gaming keyboard provides the most key macro functionality by default. Almost always, their function keys are real keys arranged in 3 blocks. They also comes with 6 or 12 extra physical real function keys (not some wimpy app-launch “buttons”). If you play games a lot, great, but if you don't play games, the key macros feature would be fantastic, specially for programers. e.g. “Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110” amazon. (Microsoft's SideWinder X4 and X6's right side Alt key is far too the right, cannot be pressed with thumb while remaining on home row, so i don't recommend it.)
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