MacFormat 1994 November/macformat-018.iso/Utility Spectacular/Utilities/NumericKeypad folder/About U.S. Keypad

Text File | 1992-10-26 | 1.7 KB | 37 lines | [TEXT/MPS ]

Numeric Keypad for Powerbooks

Here is a software numeric keypad designed for the Notebook Macs. 'U.S.
Keypad' is a Keyboard file that you drop into the System file of your
NoteBook (running System 7.x, of course). After next doing a one-time
manipulation with ResEdit, you get a numeric keypad whenever you engage
'caps locks'. The numeric keypad is mapped in the way that we are used to
seeing in PC and other laptops. That is, two rows of digits (4-5-6 and
1-2-3) are diagonally slewed beneath the 7-8-9 numerical keys on the top row
of the keyboard. Much of the rest of the keyboard is also mapped to numerals
so that touch typist who want to use both hands when entering streams of
numbers can do so. Use 'Key Caps' to see the entire re-mapping. If 'caps
lock' is not engaged, the mapping is a normal, U.S.localized, keyboard,
hence the 'U.S.' in its name.

That one-time RedEdit manipulation:

Unless you are an international user with more than one script on your
system, you have to use ResEdit to set the 'smfShowIcon' bit of the 'itlc'
resource of your system file to make U.S. Keypad work. The template in
ResEdit version 2.1 labels this bit "Always show icon." Setting this bit
enables the keyboard menu, a System 7 feature usually not seen by us simple,
one language, one alphabet users. Turn on Balloon Help for a moment and let
it explain the keyboard menu to you; it does a better job than I can. An
example of a properly modified 'itlc' resource is included to help you
modify your own.

By the way, command-option-space switches through keyboards.

As far as I am concerned 'U.S. Keypad' is freeware. The conceptual framework
is Apple's, I just added a bit here and there.

        Mel Park
        University of Tennessee, Memphis
        [e-mail]
        [phone]