• The Fn key is the Fun key
  

The Fn key is the Fun key

To make up for the lack of keys, early laptops came with a special function key, the Fn key. This was used in combination with other keys like a Shift key, giving those keys multiple purposes.

For example, in Figure 5-4, you see the keyboard from the old Compaq SLT. It’s Fn (function) key is located in the lower-right corner, enclosed in a rectangle. Other keys with rectangles are activated when they’re pressed with the Fn key. So the arrow keys also double as other cursor movement keys (lower right). But notice how the embedded numeric keypad also becomes an embedded cursor movement pad as well. (What a nightmare!)

Figure 5-4: The Compaq SLT keyboard (1987).

Most modern laptops retain the Fn key, but it’s used primarily to activate special laptop functions. These functions share other keys on the keyboard, typically the Function keys. They’re marked by special icons, and these are color coded to match the Fn key.

Sadly, there is no standard for these Fn keys and their functions. But among the many laptops out there, you’ll find Fn key combinations that do the following:

• Turn the laptop’s internal speaker volume up.
• Turn the laptop’s internal speaker volume down.
• Mute the laptop’s internal speaker.
• Increase or decrease the monitor’s brightness or contrast.
• Activate an external monitor for giving a presentation.
• Activate Stand By mode.
• Hibernate the laptop.
• Lock the keyboard.

Take a moment to peruse your laptop and look over the Fn keys available.

Some of the Fn keys can be rather fun. For example, on my IBM laptop, Fn+PgUp is used to turn on a tiny keyboard light in the laptop’s lid.

Mind these specific keys

In addition to the standard keyboard, or perhaps right along with it, your laptop may have some custom keys or buttons next to the keyboard. These are totally specific to the manufacturer, and you may never end up using them. But they’re keys nonetheless.

The most common location for these keys is up above the keyboard, though I’ve seen them on the left and right sides as well. Some keys may be used to pick up e-mail, browse the Web, connect to a digital camera, or contact the vendor for tech support. I’ve also seen keys that control the display or speaker volume.

Use these keys if you will, but keep in mind that their functions are specific to your laptop. Don’t expect to find similar keys on a desktop computer or even a laptop from another manufacturer.

The special keys are controlled using specific software that must be loaded into Windows. If there is a problem with this software, or if you end up using an operating system other than Windows, don’t be surprised when the special keys no longer function.