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In our last post we were exploring the keyboard settings in the International preference panel in the Mac OS X System Preferences. Today we’re going to look in the Keyboard & Mouse preference panel.

Under the "Keyboard" tab you can change things like Key Repeat Rate and Delay Until Repeat, but you can also change the action of the modifier keys - see the button that says "Modifier Keys?" If all you want to do is, say, swap the operation of the Control and Option (a.k.a. "Windows" on a PC-style keyboard) keys, you can do it here - you should not need to run another piece of software.

But the real action in this preference panel is under the Keyboard Shortcuts tab, where you can change a multitude of settings.

Note that you can actually set up application-specific keyboard shortcuts. Click the + button, select an application you wish to control, enter the exact title of the menu command you want to add in the text field, and then in the last text field you simply depress the key combination you wish to use to invoke that command.

Normally it’s probably not a good idea to change the Mac’s defaults, BUT one exception may be the commands invoked by using the function keys. Sometimes I use iTerm to connect to a remote system that runs Linux, and I don’t want keys like F8, F9 and F10 bringing up Spaces or application windows, because those keys are used in the software I’m running on the remote system. So I either disable the combinations I don’t use, or change them to something like Control+Function Key.

Anyway, if the System Preferences do not give you enough power over the keyboard, there are free programs you can download that will give you many more options. Just be sure you don’t install both of them at the same time on the same Mac (more in that in a moment).

One rather popular program of this type is called DoubleCommand - as you can see from the screenshot below, it allows you to do several types of keyboard modification.  It actually adds a new preference pane under System Preferences and by checking the appropriate boxes you can select any of the modifications shown.

However, our preference in this type of program is KeyRemap4MacBook, which we find to be far more versatile than DoubleCommand - and despite what the title may imply, it should run on any Mac using OS X (it has been confirmed to run on the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini).

Those of you that have recently switched from Windows (or who are simply more used to Windows-style keyboards) will want to pay special attention to the settings under the "For PC User" section.

KeyboardRemap4MacBook has far more available key mappings than DoubleCommand (there is a list of supported remappings on their web site), but this is a case where you should choose the program that best does what you want it to do. We will note that if you are using a PC-style keyboard and like to use the directional keys on the numeric keypad (rather than the numbers) then KeyboardRemap4MacBook is definitely the one you want.

Before we close we must give you one warning, based on experience: NEVER INSTALL BOTH DOUBLECOMMAND AND KEYREMAP4MACBOOK ON THE SAME SYSTEM!!! These two pieces of software both try to use the same "hooks" into the system and if you install both, neither will work, and more than likely your keyboard will stop working. And now you are really in a pickle, because in order to uninstall the one you don’t want, you’ll be asked to enter your password - which you can’t type in because the keyboard doesn’t work! Furthermore, even a power-down reboot will not help as long as both programs are installed. Remember our discussion of the Keyboard Viewer in part 1? That’s the only way we know of that you’ll be able to enter your password in order to uninstall one of the two programs (by clicking on the Keyboard Viewer keys with your mouse). So don’t get yourself into this mess in the first place - install only ONE of the two programs, and if you want to try the other, completely uninstall the first one before you install the second.

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One thing that seems to be a matter of personal preference for many people is the way in which the keyboard operates. Not only do you want to be able to easily type your native language, but you may want certain keys to do certain things.

Apple decided to be different by coming out with their own keyboards, which have a slightly different key layout than the typical PC keyboard. Nevertheless it is quite possible to use a standard PC keyboard with a Mac provided you can get the hardware part right - for example, if you want to use one of those keyboards you got free after rebate a few years ago (that is still collecting dust in your closet) and you own a Mac Mini, you’ll probably need a PS2 to USB adapter. These are often available as a relatively inexpensive item on eBay - some of them will only convert a keyboard, but for only a small amount more you may find ones that will convert a keyboard and a mouse.

Whether you have a genuine Apple keyboard or a PC keyboard that has been pressed into service, you might wish that certain keys behaved differently. So, here’s a brief roundup of the most common ways to modify keyboard behavior.

First, to switch languages, go to System Preferences, International and then click on the Input Menu tab. There you can select among many different keyboard layouts, input methods, and palettes. If you are a native English speaker than probably all you want to do is make sure the correct country is selected for the keyboard input type, but it’s nice to know that the other options are available in case you ever decide to learn another language, or host a visitor that speaks another tongue.

But there’s another reason you might want to go to this particular preference pane. At the bottom there is a checkbox labeled “Show input menu in menu bar.” If this is checked, it shows a small national flag or symbol in the menu bar, representing the currently selected keyboard layout. It’s automatically selected if you select two or more different keyboard layouts, because this is what gives you the ability to change keyboard layouts easily from the menu bar - so you can, for example, change from English to Canadian English with a couple of mouse clicks. Yes, I am confused also - I thought that Canadian English was the same as American English except for a few minor spelling variations. Maybe when you press the letter “a”, it prints the character string “eh?” (Sorry, bad joke - I really have no idea what the difference is!).

If you keep “Show input menu in menu bar” checked, even if you only have one language selected, it will give you ready access to the Keyboard Viewer.

And what is the Keyboard Viewer, I hear you ask? Well, it has a couple of functions. For one thing, it shows a real Apple keyboard layout and when you press a key on your keyboard, it shows you what key it thinks was pressed on the Apple keyboard layout. This can help you learn the differences between your PC keyboard and the Apple layout, and it can also show you some interesting options (for example, try holding down the ALT key (if you have a PC-style keyboard) or the Option key (if you have a genuine Apple keyboard) and you’ll see an entire selection of extra symbols that can be entered. Want to say you have something on sale for 99¢, or that you need a 600Ω resistor, or that something you’ve written is ©2008? Those special symbols and many more are available by holding down the ALT key or Option key.

And, you can try other combinations of modifier keys for even more symbols (try SHIFT+ALT or SHIFT+Option, for example).

Also, you can click on the Keyboard Viewer with the mouse to directly enter keystrokes. This can be a lifesaver if you ever find yourself in a situation where the keyboard is non-responsive and you really need to enter a few characters. Not only can you enter regular keystrokes, but you can use the dropdown to change the font mapping to “Webdings”, or any of three sets of “Wingdings.”

But, maybe you want even more power over your keyboard. We’ll cover that in Part 2. Stay tuned…

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