Revision of Function keys from Mon, 01/20/2014 - 03:18
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1. What are function keys?
Function keys let you quickly change settings on your PC.
To do this, press the "Fn" key on your keyboard, in combination with other designated keys. The designated keys may have symbols on them, in the same colour as the "Fn" key symbol. The designated keys' symbols might represent a brighter screen, a dimmer screen, louder speakers, quieter speakers, and more.
2. Why won't mine work?
Proprietary software ... BIOS? Motherboard?
3. Solutions
There are other --pretty simple-- ways of using Fn-key features.
3.1 Backlight
You can dim and brighten the screen from the terminal. You'll need a program called xbacklight. Here's how to install and use it:
Install: sudo apt-get install xbacklight
Use: xbacklight -set Y (Y = any number from 0 to 100)
http://www.x.org/releases/X11R7.6/doc/man/man1/xbacklight.1.xhtml
3.2 Volume
The task bar has a volume icon. It's at the bottom right corner of the screen, just left of the digital clock.
3.3 Wifi
If you're not using the Internet, you may want to turn off your wifi adaptor. It'll save electricity, and extent your laptop battery life.
How to turn wifi carn on/off from desktop (?)
3.4 Lock screen
Synapse lets users lock screen
sudo apt-get install synapse
Launch Synapse from the Trisquel Menu (bottom left). Right click Synapse in the task bar. Edit Preferences (launch on start up, etc). Ctrl+space to open the Synapse menu. Type the word "lock", and synapse will offer to password-lock your screen.
4. Replace BIOS with Coreboot
(Is this a solution?)
