I prefer "wave" (standard ergonomic) keyboards, but the options for Mac
seem very limited. (I'm running OS9.2.2 on a B&W G3 that has both USB
and ADB.)

I've owned two flimsy Adesso TrueForms in a row -- they don't last very
long, and the current one is falling apart now. I don't like the odd
key placements on the DataDesk. Someone online criticized the Logitech
as being "weak," although I'm not sure what they meant, but in any
event I dislike black keyboards. The other brands people often
recommend (like the Kinesis and other radical designs) are just too
plain weird for me. I checked other company sites like MacAlly and
Keytronics and couldn't find any wave keyboards at all.

In the past, I've liked the touch on some of Microsoft's wave keyboards
(they call them the "Natural" line), but Microsoft offers fewer
keyboard models than they used to, and they seem to have discontinued
*all* their "Mac-compatible" keyboards.

I found a shareware driver for their low-end "Natural Keyboard Elite"
model, but it's old software and I have no idea if it would work with
the current keyboard of that name. I haven't been able to find any Mac
driver for Microsoft's current top-of-the-line "Natural Multimedia
Keyboard."

What would happen if I plugged the "Natural Multimedia Keyboard" in to
the USB port on my Mac WITHOUT a special driver? From what I've read,
I'd guess the main keys would work, but that the command and option
keys would have their positions swapped -- and maybe also the control
and caps lock keys? (The latter makes no sense to me but that's what
somebody said.) Also I'd guess none of the special keys would work --
no power key restarts, no multimedia keys, perhaps not even page-up and
page-down keys? I could live without the multimedia keys, I guess, but
the rest doesn't sound very practical.

Does anybody know of a Mac driver (perhaps shareware) for the Microsoft
Natural Multimedia Keyboard? I've searched but found nothing online --
a few links but they were all broken. Or does anyone have any other
suggestions?

Thanks much.

--
Lawrence San
Cartoon Stories for Thoughtful People:
<http://www.sanstudio.com>
email: san@sanstudio.com

--
Lawrence San
Cartoon Stories for Thoughtful People:
<http://www.sanstudio.com>
email: san@sanstudio.com

In article <050620041449024516%san@sanstudio.com>,
Lawrence San <san@sanstudio.com> wrote:

> What would happen if I plugged the "Natural Multimedia Keyboard" in to
> the USB port on my Mac WITHOUT a special driver? From what I've read,
> I'd guess the main keys would work, but that the command and option
> keys would have their positions swapped -- and maybe also the control
> and caps lock keys? (The latter makes no sense to me but that's what
> somebody said.) Also I'd guess none of the special keys would work --
> no power key restarts, no multimedia keys, perhaps not even page-up and
> page-down keys? I could live without the multimedia keys, I guess, but
> the rest doesn't sound very practical.
>
> Does anybody know of a Mac driver (perhaps shareware) for the Microsoft
> Natural Multimedia Keyboard? I've searched but found nothing online --
> a few links but they were all broken. Or does anyone have any other
> suggestions?

I use a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (have for years) and my results
are exactly as you'd describe. "Windows" key works as the "Apple/Clover
leaf" key, which means it's one over from where I would expect it on an
Apple keyboard. None of the blue multimedia keys do a thing in OS X. I
would be surprised if the Natural Multimedia Keyboard didn't give you
the same results out of the box.

I coulda sworn I've seen a shareware app or hack that swaps the keys
back, but I've gotten used to crooking my thumb over to the Windows key
to the point it doesn't bother me a bit any more. Much nicer overall to
have the contoured keyboard. Kinda been wondering why they seem to have
gone out of style lately myself.

Ruffin Bailey

--
Wasted bandwidth from a "professional" programmer
http://myfreakinname.blogspot.com

In article <kaboom-0CADEF.21193620072004@comcast.dca.giganews.com>,
Ruffin Bailey <kaboom@atari.net> wrote:


> I use a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (have for years) and my results
> are exactly as you'd describe. "Windows" key works as the "Apple/Clover
> leaf" key, which means it's one over from where I would expect it on an
> Apple keyboard. None of the blue multimedia keys do a thing in OS X. I
> would be surprised if the Natural Multimedia Keyboard didn't give you
> the same results out of the box.
>
> I coulda sworn I've seen a shareware app or hack that swaps the keys
> back, but I've gotten used to crooking my thumb over to the Windows key
> to the point it doesn't bother me a bit any more. Much nicer overall to
> have the contoured keyboard. Kinda been wondering why they seem to have
> gone out of style lately myself.
>
Go to http://gnufoo.org/ucontrol/ to download the free uControl... while
it won't enable the various Microsoft multimedia keys, it should let you
swap around the various working keys to get the layout you prefer.

You might also check out the Mac driver for the Natural Keyboard
available at:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/4317

Note as well that MS has a Mac OS X download of Intellitype 5.0 at:

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...4476-b4ef-e3b3
d3a1dd91/IntelliType5.0.0SX.sit

which might work for your keyboard.

Ain't Google wonderful?

=======================================
remove 'nospam' from email address before sending, please!

Alan's website: www.zisman.ca

In article <alan-89BD57.20550720072004@news.va.shawcable.net>,
Alan Zisman <alan@nospam.zisman.ca> wrote:

> Go to http://gnufoo.org/ucontrol/ to download the free uControl...
....
> You might also check out the Mac driver for the Natural Keyboard
....
> Note as well that MS has a Mac OS X download of Intellitype 5.0 at:

Quick comment -- I remember trying some "fixes" for the keyboard before
OS X came out and they weren't exactly the most stable. If I were going
to venture a recommendation, I'd say use the thing out of the box and
get used to the thumb-crook. Installing things that hack my OS much
lower than that -- at least when it comes to a keyboard -- I find myself
shying away from (which is strange, I'll admit, as I'll install most
anything for any other reason. The keyboard is just pretty danged
important, I guess. :^D).

For the original poster, I was just hoping to say if you require a
"wave" keyboard, you can very likely get by fairly well (fancy-smancy
buttons excluded) with any USB keyboard MS makes, "Mac compatible" or
no. So buy away; your wrists will thank you. It's also kinda neat to
hook the PS/2 cord up to my old StarMax 3000, but that's another
thread...

> Ain't Google wonderful?

Now that it is. It's a good thing they don't require royalties for the
information it gives or I'd be a lot poorer... ;^)

Thanks for the links.

Ruffin Bailey

--
Wasted bandwidth from a "professional" programmer
http://myfreakinname.blogspot.com

In article <kaboom-39662B.08121721072004@comcast.dca.giganews.com>,
Ruffin Bailey <kaboom@atari.net> wrote:

> In article <alan-89BD57.20550720072004@news.va.shawcable.net>,
> Alan Zisman <alan@nospam.zisman.ca> wrote:
>
> > Go to http://gnufoo.org/ucontrol/ to download the free uControl...
> ...
> > You might also check out the Mac driver for the Natural Keyboard
> ...
> > Note as well that MS has a Mac OS X download of Intellitype 5.0 at:
>
> Quick comment -- I remember trying some "fixes" for the keyboard before
> OS X came out and they weren't exactly the most stable....

I gave up on such things early in the OS X experience... but gave
uControl a try a little while ago, and have found it working without
problem for me-- so you may want to check it out.

(I use it to keep CAPSLOCK turned off, since I tend to hit that key
often by mistake on my notebook keyboard).

=======================================
remove 'nospam' from email address before sending, please!

Alan's website: www.zisman.ca