10/29/2010 10:29:06 AM

The purpose of the F1 key has been well establish for years now (context sensitive help). Overtime, two other function keys have also evolved to a fairly common convention: F2 and F5.

For F2: Pressing this key typically invokes an in-place edit, usually for the purpose of renaming an item.

For F5: Pressing this key typically refreshes the current control or screen. This is used when a users suspects that what is presented on the screen is outdated.

In the SongShow Plus Control Window, the function keys do the following:

F2: Play
F3: Pause
F4: Rewind
F5: Step Backward
F6: Step Forward
F7: Decrease Volume
F8: Increase Volume
F11: Open the Global Display Properties Window
F12: Toggle between display window and control window (throwback to single-monitor era)

As you can see, function keys F2 - F6 are used for transport control in the presentation of media files.

I am contimplating whether we should leave the function of these keys the same, or change them to match current conventions.

Do you use these keys are they are now? Would you prefer to see the F2 and F5 function keys changed to match current convention?

10/30/2010 9:50:38 AM

I do not use the Function Keys within SSP (except F12 occasionally), but I do use F5 a lot. In PPT, F5 Plays the PPT instead of refreshing the display/program. If you were to change anything, you mights consider tying the F5 into something similar to what PPT does. Maybe play the next (possibly only) SSB in the program list?

10/30/2010 10:58:18 AM

We don't use the f keys. It's hard enough training our volunteers to use the controls on the screen.

10/30/2010 10:27:14 PM

I've never actually used the Function keys, apart from F11. Is there a comprehensive list of SSP shortcuts?

10/30/2010 11:23:54 PM

The was a list at one time -- I assume its in the User Guide.

It seems like there will be various expectations about what function keys will do. Perhaps we should implement a method where the first time a user presses a function key, they are prompted with a question about what they would like that function key to actually do.

3/29/2011 10:08:43 PM

Doug,
I know this post is a little old, but I like the idea of making them kinda like a "macro" button.
Josh