Binding the key "fn"

Ever since putting bootcamp on my macbook, I always found it hard to crouch as control (on a macbook) is in a bit of an awkward position.

When steam for mac came out I was hoping that it would be possible to bind the function key, which is in the same place as you would find the control key on a windows keyboard.

Is this something that could be looked at by steam? Or does anyone know a work around? as hopefully im not alone and others would find it beneficial for it to be possible.

[WaLLy3K]

I would love if something like this was possible! Although I'm slightly used to using the control key, it's just habit to hit the far most bottom left key.

[Fuzz Bucket]

The "fn" key is not a normal key.
See my post in this thread.

Ahh thanks, forgot to search first ><

Your explanation makes perfect sense, although if you think about it, all keys are based on ASCII so surely it does not matter if it is used as a modifier, it still must send an ASCII value.

Thinking about a g15 keyboard which has alot of keys on the side (extra, specifically for binds etc) makes me believe it could still be possible?

you're wrong, keys do not send "ASCII".

Indeed, keyboard work as follow (values are just examples, behavior is simplified):
Normal keys: send byte 0x00 + key scan code byte
Modifiers (alt/option, control, windows/command and fn): sends modifier scancode byte + key scan code byte
Special keys (like the G15 ones): send standard (like the volume keys) or custom (depend on manufacturer) scancodes

Most "fn" keyboards (apple included) just process the key combination before sending data, so pressing and releasing the fn key will do nothing at all.
For example:
Pressing F1 -> Scancode 0x1A -> operating system recognizes as F1 key
Pressing FN and F1 -> Scancode 0x9A -> operating system recognizes as VolumeUp key
Pressing FN -> keyboard microcontroller waits for another key before sending any data

[Pnutus]

Try this: http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/index.html

To clarify: This is a utility that let's you change remap all the keys on your keyboard, even fn.

Since fn is pretty useless, I just set it to ctrl. This way I don't have to retrain my muscle memory when playing on my laptop.

I just bind Crouch to Shift, it's super comfortable as I can easily press it with my little finger. I would not be able to press Fn while pressing W for example, it's just too far away and too uncomfortable.

you can always set it to caps lock, and make it toggle... this helps me alot.

[nano....]

Originally Posted by Knightxmare

you can always set it to caps lock, and make it toggle... this helps me alot.

I've rebound Caps lock (useless key) to control already (in OS X), and it works pretty nicely.

Yeah, and for the reasons Fuzz Bucket outline, Fn can't be bound. OS X is oblivious to it's existence.

Originally Posted by nano....

I've rebound Caps lock (useless key) to control already (in OS X), and it works pretty nicely

see thats pretty cool, but by binding it in game as the caps lock key, it makes it toggle, which i have not found as an option in any source game, so its like cheating the system into giving you toggled crouch

I just crouch with the letter 'A' (on an AZERTY-keyboard.. That would be Q on QWERTY of course)

Works great for me, just a matter of getting used to it.

just use
W
A S D F
shift

[kyle2k5]

yeah, i've gone with using "F" as my crouch key and "T" for flashlight. it's different, and more convenient, in fact, moreso than using CTRL, but like McColanis said, it's a matter of getting used to it.

I got used to the place of CTRL on my macbook. But if I played on a windows machine for a while, and then switch back to macbook... pain in the #ss

I use ESDF so i can use ctrl for crouching... It works :P