Anyone use an extra keypad with DP?

[Shooshie]

One minor note of caution. I don't want to be alarmist, but be sure you can return it just in case. I've seen some reports of some of these "dual platform" numeric keypads (Targus, etc.) not working right with DP. The reason being is that the average Joe just wants it to input numbers... he's not doing transport control. DP recognizes they keys on the numeric keypad as distinct from the numeric keys on the top row of the QWERTY keyboard. I've heard that some of these keypads, typing a "3" for example is see by the Mac as a "3" that was typed on the top row of the QWERTY keyboard... NOT the numeric keypad. So you'll type "3" expecting to go into record, and (in my case) you'll activate a Window Set assigned to the "3" above QWERTY instead.

Again, I think some of these manufacturers were lax about this because people inputting numbers for account or spreadsheets would never notice this at all. So try to verify this somehow if you can.

Thanks for the heads up. That's more in line with what I'd expect from Microsoft, but I'll check around and see what I can learn. Thanks again.

Shoosh

[Tripi]

The thing I noticed about the keypad I've had hanging around here is that the numbers work, but the period (.) doesn't work. If you type on a document... everything works fine. Seems to only be in DP that things get screwy. If anyone finds a keypad that definitely works for locating to position (and getting record to work), please let us know.

[James Steele]

I don't know of any wireless ones. I ended up using an older style MacAlly model that was discontinued. I use with my iBook (no numeric keypad) when I'm controlling my DAW computer remotely using VnC. It definitely pays to be able to try it out if possible first, or pay a little extra locally so you can return it. I don't know if you have a Fry's near you, but they're pretty good about taking returns if you find an incompatibility of that nature.

[James Steele]

I've been wanting a wireless keypad. I wish Apple had made the wireless keyboard a full-length one with keypad, but since they didn't, I'd love to have a wireless keypad alone. Has anyone seen one?

Shoosh... MacAlly is still in business apparently and I'm digging up some stuff by them.

This for example:

http://www.amazon.com/Macally-BTKey-Wir ... B000A0C6OS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At $40 though, I don't know how good the keyboard feel will be etc., but it's a full keyboard.

Apparently though this is actually a relatively new item for MacAlly. Maybe a lot of people had the same complaint about the Apple wireless keyboards. I know I would too.

Take a look at the product page. Actually looks better than it does on the Amazon page:

http://macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleSh ... icleID=257" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heck... might be worth it. $39.64 with free shipping at Amazon.

I just noticed that doesn't help the OP's dilemma. I'll look around. Don't know if there are many numeric only wireless keypads. Probably not a big call for those.

[Dan Worley]

One minor note of caution. I don't want to be alarmist, but be sure you can return it just in case. I've seen some reports of some of these "dual platform" numeric keypads (Targus, etc.) not working right with DP. The reason being is that the average Joe just wants it to input numbers... he's not doing transport control. DP recognizes they keys on the numeric keypad as distinct from the numeric keys on the top row of the QWERTY keyboard. I've heard that some of these keypads, typing a "3" for example is see by the Mac as a "3" that was typed on the top row of the QWERTY keyboard... NOT the numeric keypad. So you'll type "3" expecting to go into record, and (in my case) you'll activate a Window Set assigned to the "3" above QWERTY instead.

Again, I think some of these manufacturers were lax about this because people inputting numbers for account or spreadsheets would never notice this at all. So try to verify this somehow if you can.

That's a good point.

c-ya,

Dan Worley

[Shooshie]

I've been wanting a wireless keypad. I wish Apple had made the wireless keyboard a full-length one with keypad, but since they didn't, I'd love to have a wireless keypad alone. Has anyone seen one?

Shoosh... MacAlly is still in business apparently and I'm digging up some stuff by them.

This for example:

http://www.amazon.com/Macally-BTKey-Wir ... B000A0C6OS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At $40 though, I don't know how good the keyboard feel will be etc., but it's a full keyboard.
...

That's the best solution I've seen yet, though I really hate to give up my Apple keyboard. I've really grown accustomed to its feel. But this one may feel just as good. I'm going to have to order it and see how it goes. THANKS so much, James. This may be the answer.

Shooshie

PS: I just ordered this with Amazon's "One Click." Guess I'll find out how good it is, and I'll report back when I've tried it.

[dewdman42]

There is a black friday special on these:

http://www.piengineering.com/e-mails/xkbf10/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[James Steele]

There is a black friday special on these:

http://www.piengineering.com/e-mails/xkbf10/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very tempting. Personally I keep pestering these folks:

http://icedcocoa.com/keymote" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If they would only make an iPad version that would fit more keys on the screen it would be HUGE!!! As it is you get 15 keys max. It works like a charm though. I sent another email today BEGGING for iPad support.

[James Steele]

I have to report back on this. It's just sort of heart warming and makes me smile thinking about it. I wrote the "developers" of Keymote once more urging them to release an iPad version, and the response I received really surprised me:

Hey James! We apologize for not being so clear about an iPad version of Keymote. The truth of the matter is this: we are just three high school students with other jobs, so you can imagine our workloads. But all of us here at Iced Cocoa are just as excited about an iPad version as you are. Our plans are to begin work on it very soon.

How's that for entrepreneurial spirit? I'm duly impressed. Tell me there are kids like this all around this country and my optimism for the future will be restored!

[Shooshie]

I have to report back on this. It's just sort of heart warming and makes me smile thinking about it. I wrote the "developers" of Keymote once more urging them to release an iPad version, and the response I received really surprised me:

Hey James! We apologize for not being so clear about an iPad version of Keymote. The truth of the matter is this: we are just three high school students with other jobs, so you can imagine our workloads. But all of us here at Iced Cocoa are just as excited about an iPad version as you are. Our plans are to begin work on it very soon.

How's that for entrepreneurial spirit? I'm duly impressed. Tell me there are kids like this all around this country and my optimism for the future will be restored!

That's great! I'm impressed, too. I'll bet they might have a thing or two to say to their peers about "Freedom of Software Downloading."

Shoosh

[James Steele]

Good for those kids. I would think their parents are very proud. They'll be starting companies hopefully some day, creating jobs. Good for them. When I was 17, I think I was probably saying "would you like fries with that?"

[Shooshie]

Good for those kids. I would think their parents are very proud. They'll be starting companies hopefully some day, creating jobs. Good for them. When I was 17, I think I was probably saying "would you like fries with that?"

Hahaha… I guess it depends on where you live. When I was 17, I was serving food to diners who could not speak. I was more likely to say "get out of my way, or I'll throw this block of hay at your head!" And if they didn't move, I'd do just that. Horses can be obnoxiously over-anxious to eat their food before you get it over the fence. But I knew that I wasn't going to do THAT for a living!

Shoosh

[twistedtom]

Yes it is nice to see kids that are doing things for their future.

You’re a manly man Shooshie.

My dad was in construction and I often helped him on personal jobs. He also ran a construction company as the working super so he had me on the job starting at 14 years old. It was hard work but the pay was good. I do not think the law would let you get away with this now it was iffy then.
We were putting up buildings that were a few floors high and the core of them was steel. One of my jobs was to help to make and put cement forms around the beams. Always know where your feet are as it is a long way down. We also built and remodeled houses. This work gave me skills to do all my own work on my own houses.

I don’t think having a few usb devices like keyboards and mousses much matter; 2 keyboards, mouse, trackball, pen pad and some times a third keyboard all work fine for me.

[Shooshie]

As amazing as it may seem in just two days since I ordered it, I'm now typing on a new Macally Bluetooth keyboard. While it's too soon to say whether I'll keep it, preliminary results are good. I do NOT like it as well as the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but it has what the Apple lacks: a keypad. That whopping bit of MacIgnorance on the part of Steve J and his design crew have left me bereft. I designed my studio desk for a wireless keyboard and input device. I've put up with a wire since the new keyboards came out, because I just love the way they type. Silent, crisp, fast, and I can fly on them. But without that keypad I can't use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, so here I am with a lesser, but complete, keyboard.

I can already tell that I can't type as fast on this one. There is a certain "wait" to see whether you hit an extra key. It's just more immediate on the Apple. I just switched back to the Apple for that last sentence, and was amazed at how much faster it feels.

Oh well, sorry about my obsessions and eccentricities. I can report that the Macally would have been one of the best two or three keyboards I'd ever used if not for the Apple. It surpasses the previous Apple Bluetooth keyboard (the white, plexiglass one), but it can't touch the new ones. Shame that Apple won't make a complete Bluetooth keyboard. I think they'd fly off the shelves if they did that.

Still thinking whether to keep this. I already miss the Apple keyboard (wired) with its keypad, but I'm hoping that this is a learning curve, and that I'll get better at this one.

What's with Amazon's shipping? I ordered UPS Ground, and it's here by FedEx in 2 days? Maybe I'd better check my invoice.

Shooshie

[James Steele]

Hey Shoosh! Well, that was my big concern-- the feel of they keyboard. Hopefully there's a mechanism in place for returns if you don't like it.

Yeah... I really have to wonder what Steve Jobs was thinking here? Of course, in a way it ties in the the whole iDevices, consumer candy mentality I fear that has grasped the steering wheel in Cupertino. I imagine most "consumers" never come near the numeric keypad, so the just jettisoned it. Monumentally dumb in my opinion. At least have another model WITH the numeric keypad-- even if it's more expensive!