uble click on its icon from the deskTop or select it from the geos menu of any application that supports
KeyMaker is a Desk Accessory that allows the user to redefine almost any key on the C64 keyboard.
To use KeyMaker, double click on its icon from the deskTop or select it from the geos menu of any application that supports desk accessories. This screen will appear:
The four rectangular icons each represent a horizontal row of keys on the C64 keyboard. For illustration, we will redefine the f1 key to work as a CRSR UP key (a handy use of f1.) First, we must know what value the CRSR UP key returns under normal circumstances. As the CRSR UP key is in the bottom row of keys, we click on the bottom rectangular icon:
This screen will appear:
The icons on the left represent all of the keys in the bottom row that can be redefined. Currently, the "z" key is selected (each key row icon defaults to the upper left hand key when selected). This is apparent from the "Key: z" status statement at the upper right. The key's default value is $7a ("Def: $7a") and it is currently defined as $7a ("Cur: $7a"). Clicking on any of the key icons will update the "Key:", "Def:", and "Cur:" status statements.
Now click:
The screen now looks like this:
Note that the "Key:" status statement is blank. This is because
CSRR DN is not a printable character. CRSR UP is just shifted CRSR DN, so click on:
Now the screen looks like this:
The SHF icon toggles between unshifted and shifted keys. Note that the CRSR UP key defaults to $10. Now we are ready to redefine f1 as CRSR UP.
Click:
to return to the main screen.
Click:
to edit the top row of keys.
This screen appears:
As noted above, each row icon defaults to its upper left key. Thus the status statements now reflect information for the BACK ARROW key. This key is not a printable character in Geos, so the "Key:" status statement is blank.
Click:
The screen updates to this:
Note the status statements. The f1 key does not print in Geos so the "Key:" status is blank. Its default value is $01 and its current value is $01. We want to change its current value to $10 (CRSR UP).
The current value of a key is changed by clicking on the arrow icons:
Information about the keyboard scan routines and decoding tables can be found in Mike Schell's GEOS Keyboard Scanning N
The current value of a key is changed by clicking on the arrow icons:
The left set of arrows changes the MSB of the selected key's current value, the right set of arrows changes the LSB. Note that these changes are made in real time. The "Cur:" status statement always reflects the value to which the selected key is set. (
@WARNING:
If you set keys to random or garbage values and then exit Keymaker, your keyboard will be a total mess. See
@DEFAULT
and
Using the arrow icons, change the "Cur:" status of the f1 key to $10. Then click:
to return to the main screen and:
to return to your application or to the deskTop. The f1 key will now work just like the CRSR UP key and can be used for cursor control or paging through the deskTop.
$01. W key is changed by clicking on the arrow icons:
Information about the keyboard scan routines and decoding tables can be found in Mike Schell's GEOS Keyboard Scanning N
@DEFAULT
icon resets
redefined keys to their default values. It is handy for undoing your work if you get confused or want to return to the original Geos settings.
icon resets the currently selected key to its default value without affecting any other key setting.
y to return $09 and it will function as a TAB key and only require one finger.
(Commodore) key combinations values
@CREDITS
The cornfield symbol
at the lower right hand corner of the main screen is actually an icon. Clicking it will show you a credit screen and inform you that Keymaker is shareware, so don't click it if you don't want to feel guilty about not sending me $5.00.
i is $49. $49 - $40 = $09). Redefine a key to return $09 and it will function as a TAB key and only require one finger.
(Commodore) key combinations values
@TECHNICAL NOTES
KeyMaker can be used to redefine keys to perform CTRL key combinations with one keystroke. Geos determines the values of a CTRL combination by subtracting $40 from the
@shifted
value of the key pressed. So CTRL-i (TAB in geoWrite) is $09 (shifted i is $49. $49 - $40 = $09). Redefine a key to return $09 and it will function as a TAB key and only require one finger.
(Commodore) key combinations values are determined by setting bit 7 of the key value. This can be done by adding $80 to the key value. In experimenting, I have had varying degrees of success with the
combinations. Some don't seem to work. Maybe some applications watch for the
key separately from the standard keyboard decoding routine.
Any changes made with KeyMaker will be undone by a reboot.
Information about the keyboard scan routines and decoding tables can be found in Mike Schell's GEOS Keyboard Scanning Notes on Q-Link. Thanks, Mike!
7a ("Cur: $7a"). Clicking on any of the key icons will update the "Key:", "Def:", and "Cur:" status statements.
Now click:
The screen now looks like this:
Note that the "Key:" status statement is blank. This
@FUTURE UPGRADES
If I ever find time to accomplish it, the 2.0 version of KeyMaker will include:
Editting of the printable
combinations (
Calculation CTRL and
combination values.
SAVEing and LOADing of keyboard setups.
Generation of AUTO_EXEC files to redefine the keyboard at boot time.
Correction of any reported bugs in 1.0.
e of f1.) First, we must know w
Thanks again to Mike Schell and to Jim Collette for geoWhiz which makes these kinds of docs quick, easy and fun to write.
(.txt)