.~Javier Plumey~.|Fatih, Technology, Politics, Whatever.

Just picked up the new aluminum keyboard from Apple. It feels really nice on my wrists and I love the feel of the flat keys. I did have some issues with it, but only when running it with Windows. I use a Mac for all my personal and ministry stuff but I have to use Windows at work. Here’s what I had to deal with and how I fixed the issues:

1. No number lock key. There’s no key labeled Num Lock. I found this post and it cleared that up for me.
2. Without having to install all kind of crazy Apple boot camp drivers for this thing, which I tried and had real problems, I had no way to access the special keys that change the volume, eject the CD, etc. Most important to me are the volume controls since I listen to music while working and often need to quickly lower the volume when I get a call. To get around this I found some scripts for a product called Autohotkey that will allow me to use the Command Key as a windows key to change the volume and also to mute the entire system. Here is the script, which is based on the work of the people at the AutohotKey forums, thanks! Check the jump for the script.

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Well I finally got around to trying the new Presentations feature of . I am a BIG fan of the Google Docs application suite. I use it at least 5-6 times per week and although I don’t do many presentations not related to my job, where I am forced to use Powerpoint, there are some really cool things going on here. What I like:

1. Revisions. Just like the other Google Docs file formats, multiple users can save files and I can go to any revision of a file saved. Powerpoint doesn’t do that!
2. Online collaboration. It offers a basic option to present the file to multiple users. Invitations are handled through the Google Docs sharing system. I know Office supports this but the overhead is way bigger. This is an area where Google will shine in the future as I am sure they will eventually start adding web conference features like audio and video.
3. Simplicity. Nuff said.

What I don’t like:

1. Simplicity. Nuff said.
2. Importing existing files is a brutal process that usually destroys the look of your existing Powerpoint files.
3. Limited features
4. Some editing quirks

Presentations on Google will keep getting better, I really look forward to seeing this application develop.