Can I remap the fn key on a Powerbook?

Question

Can I remap the fn key on a Powerbook?

Extraordinarily, Apple designed the keyboard layout for laptops so that the function key (fn) is on the opposite side of the keyboard to the cursor keys. So if you want to use Home, End, PageUp, or PageDown, as most of us do, then you have to use two hands as the fn key - far left - is too far from the cursor keys - far right.

Is there a way to remap the keyboard to swap the Enter and fn keys around? I rarely use Enter, but use fn a lot as described above.

While on this subject, can I remap to get a forward delete, which I used more than backspace on a full size keyboard?

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8), G4, 1.67GHz, 1GB RAM, 250GB HD

Posted on Mar 12, 2012 3:43 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

christopher rigby1 Author

Level 4

2,247 points

Mar 12, 2012 3:48 AM in response to christopher rigby1

I've posted this question AFTER finding out the answer, but I'd love for other users with the same problem to know that there is a solution.

This donateware will allow some keyboard remapping - http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/- although I couldn't swap the Enter and fn keys, I could convert the Enter key to work as the fn key but only when used with the cursor keys (which is actually a better solution anyway).

It also allowed me to convert the backslash key to work as a forward delete.

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Answer 2

BobHarris

Level 9

52,949 points

Mar 12, 2012 6:20 AM in response to christopher rigby1

There is also KeyRemap4MacBook - allows remapping some keys on your keyboard - I like to change the Right Option key into a second 'fn' key.

<http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/25141/keyremap4macbook>

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Answer 3

Mar 12, 2012 9:21 AM in response to BobHarris

Thanks Bob - unfortunately that only works with Intel Macs.

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