Welcome to the fun world of FunKeys!
 
This name can be interpreted three ways:

-Short for Function Keys.
-Keys that are, well, fun.
-Things that are Funkey. [sic]

It's all three, but the first interpretation is most on the ball.

What FunKeys allows you to do is, basically, "program" those function keys on the top of your keyboard to do things. (The keys F1, F2, F3, F4, etc, etc.  They are only on extended keyboards, which most Macs have).  Most of us Mac users never even use those things; FunKeys not only gives them a use, but it also makes them really useful.

What it allows you to do is program all 15 of them to either open applications, execute an AppleScript, or envoke a macro (FKEY).

For example, F1 can open America On-Line, F2 can open Microsoft Word, F3 can turn off the sound, and F4 can quit all open applications.  It's entirely up to you.

In order to take advantage of the AppleScript functions, you will need to have System 7.5 or later installed; otherwise, you can simply use FunKeys to open your favorite applications and FKEYs at a blast.  Hundreds of FKEYs are freely available from sources such as America On-Line, Info-Mac, and other Mac software sites.  FKEYs have normally been installed to Command-Shift-x keys.

FunKeys can also switch over to a certain application if it is already running.

And, best of all, you can still use the Function Keys for their regular uses, at the same time that FunKeys is running.

Version 1.2 now includes a FunKeys icon menu, which allows you to click, instead of hitting a function key, to invoke its function.  This is helpful for remembering what does what, and if you don't have an extended keyboard.

Help

In order for FunKeys to work, you have to do two things:
(a)  Put it in your control panels folder.
(b)  Set it up.

The setting it up part is really simple.  Open the FunKeys control panel (which should be in the Control Panels folder, within the System Folder).  Then, click on settings.  See below (under the Settings topic) for more information.  

There are half a zillion AppleScripts all over America On-Line, the Internet, and CompuServe, just to name a few.  So all you have to do is look for them, not write them.  Remember, AppleScript only works with System 7.5 or later.

An AppleScript is something that lets you automate a task (in AppleScript aware applications).  Creating a new document, saving a file, changing the sound volume, and turning off the machine are just a few things you can do.

And there are some applications that function just like AppleScripts.  Check out the programs called MiniApps (look for them at http://www.shareware.com on the internet, or KEYWORD: FileSearch on America Online, to name two sources), a set of free mini applications.  You can assign one to each Function Key.

If you're looking for AppleScripts or applications that complete a certain task, please E-Mail me, lottsim@aol.com  I should be able to either find you one or maybe even write you one!

In order to start using FunKeys, you'll need to restart your computer.  After that, you can hit any of the keys you assigned, or go to the FunKeys menu (in the upper right portion of the menu bar), to invoke the respective function you assigned the function key.

Settings

Once you're in Settings (in the FunKeys Control Panel), you can assign an Application/AppleScript/FKEY to a Function Key by clicking on its appropriate button (F1-F15).  Don't actually hit a function key on the keyboard, though.  
Three bullet characters (•••) will appear under the currently selected key.  Then, select from the menu (picture below) what function you want this Function Key to perform.
The menu choices are:

Off-Do nothing.  If this is selected, nothing will happen when the key is pressed, and the choose button will be disabled.

Open Application-Opens (launches) any application.  Just select this, and click the Choose button to select which application to open.

Open External Macro-Executes an 'FKEY' which can be in any document.  Normally these are in the form of a document (like a ResEdit document), a suitcase, or even an application installer.  Simply select the document/program that contains the FKEY you wish to invoke, and FunKeys will pick the first FKEY it finds.  FKEYs are more powerful than AppleScripts (in many regards), because they can act on top of any application, and are also quicker.  Check out America On-Line's Macintosh Utilities Forum's collection of FKEYs, or try http://www.shareware.com.

•••
There are also several built-in macros, displayed in the pop-up menu, which are included with the FunKeys control panel.  They are:

sync-©1993 by Allon Stern.  This FKEY flushes your disk cache, so that all unsaved data (that you might have saved, but is currently residing in RAM, not the hard disk) is physically put on your hard disk drive.  Thus, in the event of a crash, no saved information will be lost.  Thanks to Allon Stern for letting me include this with FunKeys---his original documentation is included.

Text Capture 2.4-©1992-1995 by James W. Walker.  This FKEY performs the EXTREMELY useful task of allowing you to copy (and then paste) uneditable text.  Almost anything that you can't highlight, and then copy, is fair game.  It works well with Read-Only Simpletext documents, file names, etc.  Simply click and select the text you wish to copy.  Thanks to James Walker for letting me include this, and the original documentation is included.

Window To Back-©1996 by Alex Rampell.  This FKEY sends the front-most window to the very background, and brings the next window to the very front.  This allows you to "scroll" through all the open windows in an application.  
[Known problems: in applications where there is a floating "palette" or window that resides (permanently) above all other windows, Window To Back will still try to send it to the back.  Sometimes this can mess up the window order, which can be restored by using Window To Back a few more times.  This only happens to me in America On-Line 3.0, but is hardly a problem...]

Real simple...and really easy.  Once you start using FunKeys, you'll never, ever, want to live without it.

Imagine, one key opens an application or does a daily task.  Pressing F12, for me, opens up my internet connection and starts Netscape.  One key.  And if I'm in another application, then F12 switches me back.

Or your word processor with another Function Key...etc.

VERY Important: If you still need to use the Function Keys, without launching an application (with FunKeys), you can do so by holding down Shift and hitting an FKey.  This makes FunKeys disregard the FKey, so it can work as normal.
And, if you'd like to cancel loading, hold down the Option key on startup.

Shareware & Reminders

Please do remember (there is a message that reminds you when you start up your computer...) that this program is NOT free.

If you use it and like it, which I'm sure you will, I ask a small registration fee in return.
Please be honest---it's the only way that you will continue seeing good shareware products.

Please use the included "Register FunKeys" program to register.  It will either print your registration (if sending by regular mail), or save as a document and partially encrypt it (if paying by credit card and sending by e-mail.)

If you like this, please send $7, by cash or check or $8 by Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard) to:
Alex Rampell
1186 North Ocean Way
Palm Beach, FL 33480
-OR- (before 6/1/97)
Alex Rampell
c/o Phillips Academy
Andover, MA 01810

The second address is faster.  (Only before 6/1/97).
The fastest option, however, is by Credit Card to my e-mail address:
Lottsim@aol.com

The rate is $7 per copy (cash/check) or $8 per copy (credit card)---please contact me on purchasing more copies than 25.

I currently accept Visa and MasterCard.

Also, when registering, PLEASE include your E-Mail address so I can get the registration code to you as soon as possible!  If you don't have an E-Mail address, please add an extra 50¢ to your total.  Please add $1 if you don't have an E-Mail address, and live outside the United States.

As soon as I receive your payment, I'll send you a registration code to eliminate all reminders from the product.  Sorry to put those in, but it's the only way to turn some people (actually, most) to honesty.

If you have any questions, complaints, bug reports, etc., please send some e-mail to me.  Lottsim@aol.com

Version Information

v1.0
-Initial Release

v1.2
-Re-do of interface for setting functions to keys.
-Added FKEY macro support, including internal macros.
-New graphics.
-Added new FunKeys menu.
-Function Keys can now perform their previous function if not set.

What's Coming...

As long as I get some shareware fees, I'll continue working on the newest version; already planned are document opening, and complete PowerPC native code.  The upgrade will be free to all registered users.
Also, look for my web site (not yet completed, but you can visit what little there is):
http://www.rampell.com/software

Credits

This help system uses John W. Walker's excellent show_Help system.
Thanks to those who beta-tested this program, as well.

I-D-E-A-S

This program was created based (loosely) on an idea from a registered user of Voldeps.  Voldeps, another program by me, also has the ability to launch applications with FKeys, but only those FKeys F9-F12.  One user suggested that I expand it to include all the function keys; thus, I did.
If you have any ideas for what would make a good program (in the field of utilities), please send me an E-Mail @ lottsim@aol.com.  If I indeed write it, you'll get a free copy.