Special Buttons

Configuring Hardware - Special Buttons

If you have a laptop or multimedia keyboard, chances are most of the buttons aren't working, and if they are, they're not doing what you want them to. Using a package called xbindkeys, it's possible to make these buttons do whatever it is you want. There's nothing like programming a button with an internet explorer icon to open firefox or chrome.

$ sudo emerge -av xbindkeys

After the emerge completes, you can initialize the application. Substitute username for your username below.

$ xbindkeys --defaults > /home/username/.xbindkeysrc

Use the command

$ xbindkeys -k

To determine the keystrokes for your special keys, and replace "NoCommand" with your desired command in the .xbindkeysrc. Simply type

$ xbindkeys

To load the new configuration once you're done. Don't forget to add xbindkeys to your session startup so it starts with X.