Written by Marcelo Ruiz the 24 Jul 10 at 14:32.

I think a solution will be to create a database with all the functions different keyboards support. Then, at installation time or later, and only if the user's keyboard is not properly detected, start a wizard to:

- request the user to specify keyboard information,
- walk the user along all the possible implemented features, requesting for the corresponding key combination to be pressed in order to link it to the provided functionality
- update a central database with all the information received in order to be shared with other users.

This will probably avoid having many bugs submitted related to "not working Fn keys".

I think a solution will be to create a database with all the functions different keyboards support. Then, at installation time or later, and only if the user's keyboard is not properly detected, start a wizard to: - request the user to specify keyboard information, - walk the user along all the possible implemented features, requesting for the corresponding key combination to be pressed in order to link it to the provided functionality - update a central database with all the information received in order to be shared with other users. This will probably avoid having many bugs submitted related to "not working Fn keys".

Written by mark_orion the 26 Jul 10 at 13:01.

A graphical keyboard layout editor for both Gnome and KDE that allows easy assignment of keys. The two layout systems (xkb / xmodmap) in use are both to difficult for a beginner. Although xkb offers a range of given layouts it is very difficult to create your own. Xmodmap files are easier to understand but you need to create them "manually" (via text editor) as well.
A layout editor could work like this:
- the keyboard layout editor presents the user a graphical view of the current choosen layout and maybe a list of special functions (mediakeys etc.).
- the user clicks on a key, key combination or function on the display.
- pressing a key on the keyboard assigns that key.
- the layout can be saved at any time. Pressing "Save" saves it as .Xmodmap file, while "Save As" allows to save the setting in a user defined file.

A graphical keyboard layout editor for both Gnome and KDE that allows easy assignment of keys. The two layout systems (xkb / xmodmap) in use are both to difficult for a beginner. Although xkb offers a range of given layouts it is very difficult to create your own. Xmodmap files are easier to understand but you need to create them "manually" (via text editor) as well. A layout editor could work like this: - the keyboard layout editor presents the user a graphical view of the current choosen layout and maybe a list of special functions (mediakeys etc.). - the user clicks on a key, key combination or function on the display. - pressing a key on the keyboard assigns that key. - the layout can be saved at any time. Pressing "Save" saves it as .Xmodmap file, while "Save As" allows to save the setting in a user defined file.

Written by leadman the 6 Aug 10 at 08:42.

There already exists such an applications to configure special keys.

It is called "KeyTouch" (for setting up an existing kbd from list) and "KeyTouch Editor" (for defining your new keyboard).
You can download it from Ubuntu's repositories. This application already contains database of some keyboards. If your keyboard is not listed there, create new layout and send it to author of this software. If you are not sure how to map some keys, provide the author with additional information, and ask him/her for an advice on how to proceed.

There already exists such an applications to configure special keys. It is called "KeyTouch" (for setting up an existing kbd from list) and "KeyTouch Editor" (for defining your new keyboard). You can download it from Ubuntu's repositories. This application already contains database of some keyboards. If your keyboard is not listed there, create new layout and send it to author of this software. If you are not sure how to map some keys, provide the author with additional information, and ask him/her for an advice on how to proceed.