03-11-2006, 10:24 AM

I'm still getting used to my iBook's keyboard, I see references for the 'command' key and the 'option' key could you let me know which these keys are?

I guess they are the key with odd looking lines (I refer to it as the alt key because it says alt on it also) and the key with a small apple and a squiggly symbol on (I refer to this as the apple key for obvious reasons!)

Could someone also tell me how I can get # symbol without having to access the special characters window?

03-11-2006, 10:31 AM

the command key is the key with the apple on it. Most people refer to it as the command key though. The option key is the one right next to it on the right side. To get the # symbol you just have to click shift and then the number 3. to access any of the other symbols on the number row just click the shift key.

03-11-2006, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by macAttack

the command key is the key with the apple on it. Most people refer to it as the command key though. The option key is the one right next to it on the right side. To get the # symbol you just have to click shift and then the number 3. to access any of the other symbols on the number row just click the shift key.

Ok, this is confusing, the key to the right of the command key on my keyboard is the space bar, to the right of the space bar there is another command key and to the right of that there is a key with a ? with a line above it (is this the option key?)

with the # key the symbol applied when pressing shift+3 is a £ sign. The symbols above the number keys do not contain the # symbol

If it's any use I'm using an iBook with what I believe is an American keyboard layout.

03-11-2006, 09:21 PM

It sounds like you have the English (U.K.) Layout, but that is just a guess. For me <alt>3 yields £ and <shift>3 yields #.

What keys are to the left of your spacebar going from right to left?

03-11-2006, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

It sounds like you have the English (U.K.) Layout, but that is just a guess. For me <alt>3 yields £ and <shift>3 yields #.

What keys are to the left of your spacebar going from right to left?

Command key, Alt key, Ctrl key, Fn key. The alt key has some other symbol that I can't really describe on it!

I thought I had the American layout because the @ and " keys are switched around from my old UK keyboard I had on my old useless Dell box!

03-11-2006, 09:59 PM

Well at least we have all your meta keys, command and control you already know. Alt is also called option. So when we say <option>3 it is <alt>3.

Try an <option>3 and see what symbol comes up. What comes up really would not mean anything to me to be honest, but I am curious.

Go into System Preferences => International =>Input Menu, and let us know what Country Option is "on" and what other ones (if any) are checked.

03-12-2006, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Well at least we have all your meta keys, command and control you already know. Alt is also called option. So when we say <option>3 it is <alt>3.

Try an <option>3 and see what symbol comes up. What comes up really would not mean anything to me to be honest, but I am curious.

Go into System Preferences => International =>Input Menu, and let us know what Country Option is "on" and what other ones (if any) are checked.

Right so now I know which keys are which, thanks!

When I press option 3 this comes up: # Woohoo, it works, thank you!

With reagard to the international input menu thingumy, my Character Pallette is 'on' and the British keyboard option is checked also.

Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!

03-12-2006, 10:14 AM

Do you see a flag in your menu bar? If so what is it? (If it is not an American flag you are not using the U.S. keymapping.) I am guessing it will be set to the U.K. Flag given the symbols you see on your keys. Here is an example of the U.K. keyboard mapping. Ignore the bottom row, since that varies based on keyboard mnufacturer. Look at the symbols on the number keys.

If you do not see a flag, go to International Preferences, Input Menu, and check the box at the bottom labeled "Show input menu in menu bar"

03-12-2006, 10:50 AM

The little flag at the top of my screen is the UK flag.

Here is a picture of my keyboard, I've labelled the option and command keys as I see them, and I've also circled the one key left that I don't know!

03-12-2006, 12:26 PM

I don't know wha that key does either, on the american keyboards it is an option key in that location. Does it act like an option key if you push it?

03-12-2006, 12:32 PM

Yep, U.K. keyboard and mapping. Option and Command as you have them labeled are correct. The last one is Enter, oddly enough fiddling around with trying to remap the enter key I saw that symbol today.

03-12-2006, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Yep, U.K. keyboard and mapping. Option and Command as you have them labeled are correct. The last one is Enter, oddly enough fiddling around with trying to remap the enter key I saw that symbol today.

cheers for clearing that up, on closer inspection my usual enter key has the same symbol at the bottom, never noticed it before!

06-22-2006, 05:59 AM

did anyone know a shortcut for rename tracks in iTunes.
i know what i can click on it and rename or open the file info and rename there, but i would preffer to know a shortcut for it.

also i interested in shortcut to rename (change) cell in Excel.

07-17-2006, 07:54 AM

I dont suppose anyone knows the key combo to move though say the power options then the power button is pressed.

ie. in windows you can just tab though the options but on a Mac I can not seem to do this and I miss not being able to tab though from say the Shutdown to Reboot.

Cheers people.

07-17-2006, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by symondavis

I dont suppose anyone knows the key combo to move though say the power options then the power button is pressed.

ie. in windows you can just tab though the options but on a Mac I can not seem to do this and I miss not being able to tab though from say the Shutdown to Reboot.

Cheers people.

you might look at this tutorial I made on themacnurse.com:http://www.themacnurse.com/Joomla/content/view/48/43/