Lenovo/Thinkpad Keyboard Issue

On Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:27:24 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On my Lenovo/Thinkpad X61s the Esc key is directly above the F1 key.

Unless I'm looking directly at it I'm constantly bumping the F1 key when I
reach for Esc.

Any way to reassign F1 so that it does nothing unless "helped" with extra
keys, like Ctrl-Alt, or whatever.

Or maybe stuff some cardboard under it ?:-)

...Jim Thompson

I had a similar problem with my TP R61i, kept hitting the page back &
page forward keys instead of the left & right arrows just below them.

If you're running Win XP or 2000, there's a built-in key remapping
function. Check out:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463447

You have to find the right key codes (Google is your friend here )
and it just remaps raw keys, so I don't think you can add Ctrl/Alt/etc
as a "shift" key, but it's worked well for me so far.

Ralph Barone wrote:
Winston <Winston_at_Bigbrother.net> wrote:
Jim Thompson wrote:
On my Lenovo/Thinkpad X61s the Esc key is directly above the F1 key.

Unless I'm looking directly at it I'm constantly bumping the F1 key when I
reach for Esc.

Any way to reassign F1 so that it does nothing unless "helped" with extra
keys, like Ctrl-Alt, or whatever.

Or maybe stuff some cardboard under it ?
Later versions of the BIOS on some models apparently allows remapping.

"The bios swap for the function and ctrl keys is now implemented by Lenovo!
If you have a newer Lenovo laptop (mine is a thinkpad x201), you can find
the option to switch them under the "configure keyboard and mouse" options.
(For my laptop, I access the Bios by pressing the blue "ThinkVantage"
button while the computer is booting up).

http://superuser.com/questions/49412/swapping-function-fn-and-control-ctrl-keys-on-lenovo-thinkpad-w500

--Winston

Just pop the key cap off.


Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:33:14 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
mike.terrell_at_earthlink.net> wrote:


Jim Thompson wrote:

On Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:27:24 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On my Lenovo/Thinkpad X61s the Esc key is directly above the F1 key.

Unless I'm looking directly at it I'm constantly bumping the F1 key when I
reach for Esc.

Any way to reassign F1 so that it does nothing unless "helped" with extra
keys, like Ctrl-Alt, or whatever.

Or maybe stuff some cardboard under it ?:-)

...Jim Thompson

Made a Macro in MacroExpress... assigned F1 as "blank" when PSpice Schematics
is running. Success! Bump F1 while reaching for Esc... nada ;-)


You should have made it 'CTL G' ;-)

Am I remembering correctly... "bell" ?

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg

On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg


Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg


Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.


Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg


Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.


Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.

Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg

Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.

Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.

Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson

Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg

Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.

Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.

Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson

Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.


Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:40 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg
Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.
Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.
Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson
Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95 :-)

I have about 30 macros, so it's been a cheap solution to many
problems.

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693

I trust nothing that Micro$hit peddles.

_You_ try it out and let us know how it works.

Macro Express has wonderful support people who actually can read,
understand, and provide solutions.

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:40 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg
Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.
Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.
Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson
Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95 :-)

I have about 30 macros, so it's been a cheap solution to many
problems.

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693

I trust nothing that Micro$hit peddles.

_You_ try it out and let us know how it works.


Nah, I'll stick with the true and tried low-tech paper wad method. Why
make stuff complicated if simple works?


Macro Express has wonderful support people who actually can read,
understand, and provide solutions.


That is an excellent advantage, just like with Cadsoft Eagle where you
usually get an answer by next morning when they get to the office over
in Germany. And I bet they do not first ask for your credit card to
charge for the support call.

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:21:26 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:40 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg
Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.
Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.
Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson
Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95
I have about 30 macros, so it's been a cheap solution to many
problems.

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693
I trust nothing that Micro$hit peddles.

_You_ try it out and let us know how it works.

Nah, I'll stick with the true and tried low-tech paper wad method. Why
make stuff complicated if simple works?


Macro Express has wonderful support people who actually can read,
understand, and provide solutions.

That is an excellent advantage, just like with Cadsoft Eagle where you
usually get an answer by next morning when they get to the office over
in Germany. And I bet they do not first ask for your credit card to
charge for the support call.

Nope, they never have. I'm coming up on my tenth year using the
product... in the beginning I had multiple questions per week. I
still have occasional syntax questions and get an answer within 24
hours or less.

I get the same kind of help from the Agent folks.

Then there's Cox "support" who seem to be functionally illiterate. The
only way I was able to get secure E-mail running on my laptop was by
Googling and also asking on the Eudora group.

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:21:26 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:40 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg
Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.
Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.
Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson
Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95
I have about 30 macros, so it's been a cheap solution to many
problems.

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693
I trust nothing that Micro$hit peddles.

_You_ try it out and let us know how it works.

Nah, I'll stick with the true and tried low-tech paper wad method. Why
make stuff complicated if simple works?


Macro Express has wonderful support people who actually can read,
understand, and provide solutions.

That is an excellent advantage, just like with Cadsoft Eagle where you
usually get an answer by next morning when they get to the office over
in Germany. And I bet they do not first ask for your credit card to
charge for the support call.

Nope, they never have. I'm coming up on my tenth year using the
product... in the beginning I had multiple questions per week. I
still have occasional syntax questions and get an answer within 24
hours or less.

I get the same kind of help from the Agent folks.


This is how it is with Eagle.

Then there's Cox "support" who seem to be functionally illiterate. The
only way I was able to get secure E-mail running on my laptop was by
Googling and also asking on the Eudora group.


That's what you often get with a de-facto monopoly :-(

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Joerg wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:21:26 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:40 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg
Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.
Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.
Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson
Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95
I have about 30 macros, so it's been a cheap solution to many
problems.

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693
I trust nothing that Micro$hit peddles.

_You_ try it out and let us know how it works.

Nah, I'll stick with the true and tried low-tech paper wad method. Why
make stuff complicated if simple works?


Macro Express has wonderful support people who actually can read,
understand, and provide solutions.

That is an excellent advantage, just like with Cadsoft Eagle where you
usually get an answer by next morning when they get to the office over
in Germany. And I bet they do not first ask for your credit card to
charge for the support call.

Nope, they never have. I'm coming up on my tenth year using the
product... in the beginning I had multiple questions per week. I
still have occasional syntax questions and get an answer within 24
hours or less.

I get the same kind of help from the Agent folks.


This is how it is with Eagle.

Then there's Cox "support" who seem to be functionally illiterate. The
only way I was able to get secure E-mail running on my laptop was by
Googling and also asking on the Eudora group.


That's what you often get with a de-facto monopoly :-(

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

One gathers that the cable folks probably get a _lot_ of clueless
callers. Probably not such a problem for Cadsoft--you have to at least
be interested in how things work in order to lay out a PCB.

_Verizon_, now, _they_ can't even get out of their own way. Getting my
home FIOS switched from business to residential took six phone calls to
get right--even after the intervention of one Anthony who appeared to be
the only person in their office who knew how to do anything. (He's now
on speed dial.)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

On Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:14:34 -0500, Phil Hobbs
pcdhSpamMeSenseless_at_electrooptical.net> wrote:

Joerg wrote:
Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:21:26 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:40 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:44 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:38 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

FatBytestard wrote:
On Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:26:42 -0800, Joerg <invalid_at_invalid.invalid
wrote:

Might be a wee problem when you need F1. Better: Take a piece of
cardboard, bend three times, slide over F1 key like a sawed-off chimney
... done.

Sometimes low-tech solutions are the ticket.

--
Regards, Joerg
Yeah, right. Cardboard fits real easily between the tightly spaced keys
on a critically area managed surface like a laptop keyboard.

Not very likely... on ANY 'sides'.
Just tried it on the teeny tiny Samsung NC-10 netbook here on the desk.
Because I know it works on the caps lock key (dunnit a few times). Sure
enough, also works on the F1 key. On the road I don't use cardboard but
4x folded and somewhat wrinkled regular paper.

Now don't make it too thick and force it in, that can pop the key right off.
Joerg, If you weren't a cheap skate I'd remind you of my later post
(I'm the OP of this topic) that the cure is trivial... in my case,
PSpice Schematics uses Esc to exit every keyboard command. On my
Thinkpad Esc is directly above F1 and I was constantly bumping it and
PSpice Help kept popping up and annoying me (like I need help with
PSpice... I could write a book . The support people at Macro
Express suggested I simply assign F1 as an empty hotkey, empty _only_
when PSpice Schematics is the active window... problem solved.

I use Macro Express extensively to shortcut many keystroke-intensive
tasks, and highly recommend it (I have no financial or personal
interest in the company).

...Jim Thompson
Elaborating: In Macro Express assign CapsLock as empty, and assign
ctrl-alt-CapsLock as the real deal.

Yeah, but the paper wad doesn't cost $29.95
I have about 30 macros, so it's been a cheap solution to many
problems.

I think some Windows Server resource kit had a pretty smart key
redirector in there. Then there's this:

https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3693
I trust nothing that Micro$hit peddles.

_You_ try it out and let us know how it works.

Nah, I'll stick with the true and tried low-tech paper wad method. Why
make stuff complicated if simple works?


Macro Express has wonderful support people who actually can read,
understand, and provide solutions.

That is an excellent advantage, just like with Cadsoft Eagle where you
usually get an answer by next morning when they get to the office over
in Germany. And I bet they do not first ask for your credit card to
charge for the support call.
Nope, they never have. I'm coming up on my tenth year using the
product... in the beginning I had multiple questions per week. I
still have occasional syntax questions and get an answer within 24
hours or less.

I get the same kind of help from the Agent folks.

This is how it is with Eagle.

Then there's Cox "support" who seem to be functionally illiterate. The
only way I was able to get secure E-mail running on my laptop was by
Googling and also asking on the Eudora group.

That's what you often get with a de-facto monopoly :-(

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
One gathers that the cable folks probably get a _lot_ of clueless
callers. Probably not such a problem for Cadsoft--you have to at least
be interested in how things work in order to lay out a PCB.

_Verizon_, now, _they_ can't even get out of their own way. Getting my
home FIOS switched from business to residential took six phone calls to
get right--even after the intervention of one Anthony who appeared to be
the only person in their office who knew how to do anything. (He's now
on speed dial.)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

Verizon people are actually worse than Cox'. At least Cox people
respond to being cussed out. Verizon people just provide blank looks
:-(

I only stick with Verizon because their coverage is so good... even
works all the way along I8 from Phoenix to Yuma (200 miles of
nothingness)... even works in Gila Bend