Subj : Bluetooth Keyboard To : Ky Moffet From : Barry Martin Date : Thu Aug 08 2024 17:00:00 Hi Ky! > > EV> In a Aldi weekly ad I saw a BT Folding Keyboard priced at $9.99 > > EV> USD. None were there when I visited the Store tho > > EV> I was wondering if a CTRL key would be on it. > > Yes: one at the lower left under the Shift key. > KM> Or over where you expect the spacebar to be, seen that too. > Yes: I have seen some strange positionings. Or as you said in an > earlier message one has to do some strange key controtion to get the > desired output like "Function_Control_Upper-Shift". KM> What I hate is when the F keys default to assorted random KM> functions and you have to press the Fn key to get the freakin' F KM> key function! Opposite of everything your hands have ever KM> learned, yet increasingly is the way laptops are set up, with no KM> ability to disable or swap it. Probably trying to save a little physical space or allow the other keys to be slightly larger. ...I had a wireless keyboard on the computer downstairs with that: hit and hold the Fn key to activate the other key (Ctl?) and then continue on with the next in the magic sequence. Think I wanted to do a controlled shutdown, so Ctl_Alt_PrtScn (which is handlful without preceeding with Fn!), hold that mess while presing REISUB one at a time (at least didn't have to hold all of them!!!!!). KM> Likely does not work well, or maybe at all with something like KM> WordPefrect that uses a lot of CTRL-Fkeys for everyday functions. Right. I had WordPerfect on my DEC Rainbow 100 and it allowed for various functions like Ctl, Alt, Shift, maybe another one. Above the row of function keys was a tray with a clear cover in which to insert a long skinny piece of plastic with the key functions. Oh BTW the Rainbow 100 had at least 20 PF keys -- they called 'em "Personal Function keys". > KM> Keyboards run a long time on a charge. Usually months. > It's the mouse that's a battery-eater! Keyboard: single AAA; mouse - > two AA. KM> LOL, that's true. Mouse goes through 3 AA in the time a keyboard KM> eats two AAA. (That being the most usual disposable-battery KM> scenario, tho some differ.) Right. I think some even have a warning not to use rechargeable batteries because (usually) don't provide the full voltage (1.2 vs 1.5), so acts like the device is eating through tons of batteries when the problem is the rechargeable batteries are wrong for the device. KM> But I charge the good little bluetooth keyboard maybe once a KM> year... admittedly don't use it much (mostly with the phone, if I KM> can't avoid typing on that) but it's usually powered on, so the KM> phone doesn't lose track of it (kinda stupid about reconnecting, KM> and takes quite a while). I'd leave it connected also rather than constantly going through the reconnecting hassle. > KM> Oh, it can be a lot more off... my PinePhone keyboard measures > KM> 3x6 inches, but is usable enough... and the antique Windows phone > KM> had a real keyboard that's only 1x3" but was actually pretty nice > KM> to type on... it's better if they're some large fraction off, not > KM> just a little off. > Yes: with a greater error from standard one has to pay more attention to > where the fingers are landing. ...I mor or less wanted to raise some of > those details to Ed for things one might not think of. KM> It's easier to shift your ingrained muscle reactions by a lot KM> than by a tiny fraction of an inch. Seems to be true: I remember when switching keyboards here (wore out) and the new keys were of a slightly different size -- my typing skills nosedived dor a nit! > > No touchpad. ...I have a tiny (roughly 4" x 6" IIRC) device which has a > > keyboard on one side and a touchpad on the other (whichever side is up > > is activated). OK for typing a few letters but I wouldn't want to do > KM> That is an interesting gadget. The sort of thing to leave by the > KM> phone, or the Pi. :) > Right: in this case the Pi rarely needed a keyboard nor mouse and not > much space for them so the tiny wireless keyboard was perfect. ...I > have been putting an identifier on the dongle and keyboard and/or mouse > to keep track of the set. I generally use a number cut from an > adhesive-backed strip I think was originally used to identify cable > runs. KM> I have stickers on a lot of such stuff (cuz otherwise gods know KM> what this or that identical dongle belongs to), and when I KM> remember, I just carve a number into the plastic using a diamond KM> point pen that's designed for the purpose, and cost me the KM> whopping sum of $8 .... 50 years ago. With my luck I'd probably crack the dongle! I think I have a similar scribing tool. KM> (Just a diamond to scratch-mark everything with, not a vintage KM> fountain pen nib with a diamond point, which also exist... glass KM> point is nice, bet diamond is better.) (Diamond is harder and will scratch glass. OTOH who wants to scratch a diamong?!) KM> Only one I can find at a reasonable price: KM> https://www.tedpella.com/tools_html/54410.aspx Mine looks more like a cross between their General Purpose Scribing Tools and the Diamond Scriber (upper left and upper right, respectively). Body is all metal with a criss-cross pattern so to be non-slip, a pocket clip, and the body is sort of the non-contoured pen shape. > https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800666542148.html -- seems to be the > least expensive currently but I didn't check shipping, multiple > quantities, etc. ...I'm going to send that to you via e-mail as they > have a sale expiring shortly. KM> 99 cents shipped. Tho it may not have gone through; I never got KM> the notice from paypal that usually accompanies any purchase. Oh KM> well, we'll see. Not like I need it, but at that price disposable KM> enough to toss into the backpack. I hope it went through -- it is a neat little keyboard! Maybe go into your PayPal account to see if posted but no e-mail as under a specified dollar amount? ¯ ® ¯ BarryMartin3@MyMetronet.NET ® ¯ ® .... 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