How can I setup Realforce 87U for OSX?

[phototristan]

I just received the Topre 87U but am having a hard time getting it setup. I can't figure out how to get the Alt key to be the Command key in OSX. I've tried changing them in the keyboard control panel but nothing I change there actually changes any keys. With other boards such as Filcos and the Model M, you can assign the Alt key to be whatever OXS modifier key you'd like. But it seems with the Realforce, you cannot.

I also cannot get the num keypad embedding in the letter keys to work at all.

Anyone know how I can set these? Or, am I out of luck?

They keyboard is great so far (great tactile feel and very quiet) but I'd really prefer to get the ALT key as my command key instead of option.


EDIT: I found the DoubleCommand software preference pane and it works great; I was able to set my ALT key as the Command key now!  I'm still not sure how to get the QWERTY number keypad to work but that is more of a minor issue for me since I mainly use the number row.

UPDATE - http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=185746&postcount=7

[jrockway]

Does the num lock light come on when you press the num lock key?

[phototristan]

Does the num lock light come on when you press the num lock key?

No, it sure doesn't. Could be a OSX thing because I've had other keyboards where the num lock didn't work either.

The caps lock key does light up (and works) though.

[jrockway]

Yeah, I think if you can get OS X to actually let the keyboard enable numlock, it will work.  Nothing odd happens on Linux or Windows when I press numlock; the keycodes for the numpad are generated in the keyboard, not on the host computer.

[EverythingIBM]

Run a virtual windows or something in boot camp. Or, get more computers that are designed for the keyboard.

[firegun9]

I use the software KeyRemap4MacBook to switch the Esc and tilde key.
There are also many other mapping options inside.
It may be worth trying.

[phototristan]

I found out I can use it without a third party driver if I set the option key to be the caps lock key in the Keyboard preference pane. The Windows key then doesn't work but it now works just like a Model M and without any third party software. For some reason the Realforce doesn't like the Windows key and the ALT key to be assigned something in OSX and when doing so (ie. assigning both), it sorta fouls things up with this board.  Doing this works fine on all other boards I've tried though so this is definitely a quirk with the Realforce.

I'm happy now because I prefer not to have to use a third party driver. The best part is I can hot swap in my Model M and the keys are the same, don't have to reconfigure anything. Alt is command, CTRL is Control and Caps Lock is Option.

[Belfong]

I feel like a noob for bringing up this topic. I have owned and use a Realforce 87UB for the past 2 years and I even have multiple key sets for it. Today is the first time I brought this keyboard to work and attach it onto the Mac and I realise, TO MY HORROR, that it does NOT work well with a Mac! 

1. unlike a HHKB, it does not have a Dip switch to swap the Alt and Windows key to Alt and Command.
2. if you press Space to wake up the Mac, it wakes it up, but the keyboard became UNRESPONSIVE after that i.e. you can't type your password. You have to unplug the USB and replug. Or you have to wake up using the mouse.
3. That Numlock key does not lit up. You can forget about using the UIOJKL keys as num pad.
4. tilde does not work! really!? Am I missing something here!?
5. There is a dip switch to turn on firmware update. I would think that after being in business for more than, what? 10 years? Topre would have release a firmware update for Mac. The Mac is becoming very relevant these days in the market. But has they ever released a firmware?

THUMBS DOWN!

[OfTheWild]

I will preface by saying I do not use my 87U with my mac. However...

At work I use an old Ducky DKPro 108 into a KVM that has my work Win7 PC and my personal Macbook Air off it. It seems to function normally after the initial 'auto detect the keys next to shift' setup but just swaps the windows key with the command key. I've now gotten so used to it that its no big deal.
Alternatively there are a few remapping apps out there that people have used for moving around function layer stuff i think. The one that comes to mind is KeyRemap4MacBook but i've never used it so i cant really vouch for it.