Macbook Pro 13" FN keys -what are some of these & easy way to get Expose?

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Level 4

1,899 points

Macbook Pro 13" FN keys -what are some of these & easy way to get Expose?

I'm still not sure what some of these symbols on the FN keys mean on my new Macbook Pro 13 inch.

• F1 and F2 are display brightness and they work without the FN key.
• F3 seems to be the equivalent of F9 Expose (show mini windows) on my PowerBook and works without the FN key.
• F4 seems to be toggle widgets without the FN key.
• F5 and F6 (I just discovered) seem to control the keyboard lighting no FN key required - but if I use FN with the F5 key it tries to close the window in Firefox.
• F7, F8, and F9 don't seem to do anything on their own and have tape recorder symbols for rewind, play/pause, and fastforward, but F7 and the FN key tries to turn on caret browsing (whatever that is) in Firefox. F9 with the FN key does the mini-windows Expose like my PowerBook does without any helper key.
• F10, F11, and F12 now seem to control the volume. F10 and F11 can do the same old Expose tricks if I hold the FN key. F12 and the FN Key does the toggle widgets thing again.

Anyone know what the F7-F9 are supposed to do? Also, I’m wondering how do people use the F-10 and F-11 Expose tricks (tile active app’s windows and roll up the windows and show the desktop)? I am used to using drag and drop copying of text, urls, etc. by using the F9, F10, and F11 Expose shortcuts but I don’t have enough fingers to use the FN keys, the F keys, and drive the trackpad.

Ideally, I’d like my keyboard shortcuts to be the same between my Macs. I searched on the FN keys but didn’t find an answer.

Does anyone have explanations or suggestions? Thanks.

MBP 13 2.53gHZ/4mb RAM, PB G4 12, 1gHZ/768 mb RAM, OS X.3.9, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Touch 2 gen, Shuffle 1 gen, Nano 2 gen, PM7300/200 416 mb RAM OS 8.6/8.5/7.5.5

Posted on Oct 8, 2009 10:52 PM

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Answer 1

BugSquash

Level 2

285 points

Oct 8, 2009 11:12 PM in response to Marlinespike

F7-F9 (without the FN key) control iTunes and/or most other music players, without that app having to be in focus.

Generally, pressing a function key without FN will do the action printed on the key - brightness, volume, etc. With the FN key, it will do whatever you've programmed in Expose/Spaces prefs. You can reverse it so you don't need FN in the Keyboard preferences.

Regarding the expose shortcuts, depending on your model of Macbook you can probably turn on four-finger swiping (in Trackpad prefs) to control expose. Swiping down with four fingers will tile all windows; swiping up will show the desktop. You should be able to do this while dragging text/urls if you hold down the button while doing it.

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Answer 2

Marlinespike Author

Level 4

1,899 points

Oct 9, 2009 10:16 PM in response to BugSquash

Thank you, Bugsquash,

I didn't realize I could do the 4 finger thing to get expose. That's very helpful!

I also didn't realize I don't have to switch back to iTunes to control it.

I can't figure out how to switch the keys though for the F keys without the FN key.

Maybe I won't need it though if I get the hang of the 4 finger swipe. 🙂

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Answer 3

Marlinespike Author

Level 4

1,899 points

Oct 28, 2009 8:03 AM in response to Marlinespike

I've been playing around with the 4 finger "expose" and it doesn't let you drag and drop anything that requires mouse click - must be something with the trackpad being the mouse button.

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Answer 4

BugSquash

Level 2

285 points

Oct 29, 2009 8:03 AM in response to Marlinespike

If you use a fifth finger to hold the button down in one of the corners (without moving that finger), it should let you keep dragging while you do the 4-finger swipe.

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