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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: xsphat on Sun, 09 March 2008, 11:55:05

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Sun, 09 March 2008, 11:55:05

Has anyone used any of these? I HATE the Insert key on 101 / 104 layout keyboards because every time I miss the delete key by a fraction of an inch, I get the damn help menu, which cancels whatever I'm doing in the app. I need to lock out the key or kill the help function altogether.

If anyone has ever used a key lock out, where did you buy it, what is the product's real name and how well did it work?

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: ashort on Sun, 09 March 2008, 11:59:06

Super glue from Walgreens.  Careful use produces perfect lock out every time.  

:-D

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: zerogravitas on Sun, 09 March 2008, 14:52:06

You  could always get one of those Logitech boards without the insert Key.  I could even take the Filco and HHKB off your hands after you get one.  :-P

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: Ulysses31 on Sun, 09 March 2008, 16:56:22

Perhaps you could remove the keycap and wedge a bit of rolled-up paper underneath that made it harder or impossible to press.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: ecru on Sun, 09 March 2008, 18:19:45

Would keyboard mapping solve the problem?

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: jadugarr on Tue, 11 March 2008, 00:41:52

I agree.  If mapped Insert to the same keycode that the delete key sends you would in essence have 2 delete keys and not have the problem you were describing (or just map it to NULL).

If you using windows you use KeyTweak to help modify the registry to remap keyboard codes.  For Linux use xmodmap.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Tue, 11 March 2008, 01:28:51

I use Mac, so I'm F'ed on the remapping thing.

I have found key locks online, but it's a sample bag of 14 different ones. I only want two correct ones. I'll have to get out my little black book ...

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: IBI on Tue, 11 March 2008, 08:57:27

Quote from: xsphat;3585

I use Mac, so I'm F'ed on the remapping thing.

Why? Surely something like this (http://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&item_id=ukelele) would work?

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Tue, 11 March 2008, 09:59:03

I don't trust that site. Do you know of anyone who's used that program?

And it's not being updated anymore so with my luck it would work for long enough to make me dependent and then Apple would break it with an update. After that, I would NEED to run amok, killing people left and right and totally randomly as I smear Vasoline and bread crumbs all over my body. 

So I don't think that one would work for me, but thanks.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: bhtooefr on Tue, 11 March 2008, 10:19:21

Quote from: xsphat

After that, I would NEED to run amok, killing people left and right and totally randomly as I smear Vasoline and bread crumbs all over my body.

:eek:

I... really don't want to know...

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Tue, 11 March 2008, 10:40:36

Every time I find something I like that is free, some force takes it from me. This happens with everything, so I get a little sick of it and that is the logical conclusion - a tri-state killing spree.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: IBI on Tue, 11 March 2008, 12:01:08

Quote from: xsphat;3594

I don't trust that site. Do you know of anyone who's used that program?

No, I just found it in a search. Maltron (http://www.maltron.com/maltron-key-layout-custom.html) do link to it though,  and they also have a link to the format of the .keylayout file if you feel like attempting to do it manually.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: ashort on Tue, 11 March 2008, 12:07:04

...vasoline and bread crumbs?

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Tue, 11 March 2008, 14:27:36

Quote from: ashort;3598

...vasoline and bread crumbs?

The logical conclusion of being a life-long Mac user, didn't you know?

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: iMav on Tue, 11 March 2008, 16:01:39

Quote from: ashort;3598

...vasoline and bread crumbs?

Sounds like the basic ingredients of 'board chow.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: zerogravitas on Tue, 11 March 2008, 16:45:07

Quote from: iMav;3600

Sounds like the basic ingredients of 'board chow.

O_O

ROFL!

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: lem on Wed, 12 March 2008, 01:41:09

Not sure if you're still looking for a solution but OSX allows for as much as, and sometimes more, configuration than any windows system.

A while back I setup custom remaps to re-enable the expected functions of the home and end keys:

http://lifehacker.com/software/keyboard/mac-switchers-tip--remap-the-home-and-end-keys-225873.php
http://www.l.google.com/search?q=mac+home+end


Like others suggested, it should simply be a matter of remapping. No third-party software should be required. Setting insert as another delete sounds like a good idea to me.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Wed, 12 March 2008, 02:23:56

I'll do a physical hack long before I'll attempt anything with code on my personal computer. I know nothing of code at all, so that option is out.

Title: Key lock out devices
Post by: xsphat on Wed, 12 March 2008, 02:44:14

Forget about this, I just put a spring from a click pen under the key and now it takes way too much force to push to ever be accidentally hit again, and it looks normal to boot.

Title: Sample pack of Keylocks
Post by: chucknobucks on Mon, 16 June 2008, 13:56:32

I couldn't figure how to order individual models of the keylocks a person may want, but here is the link:

http://hooleon.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AC-999-1000&Category_Code=A-KBA&Product_Count=3