Character Input
From OESF
I think my FN key is stuck / I can't type normal characters on the keyboard!
- NUM-lock is activated
A small http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/shot_taskbar_numlock.gif should be visible on the very bottom right of the screen (to the right of the current time, on the taskbar). Pushing 'NUM-lock' (press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png + http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_quest.png ) again will disable function lock: the should disappear, and the keys will work as expected.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
I think my SHIFT key is stuck / I can't type lowercase characters on the keyboard!
- CAPS-lock is activated
A small http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/shot_taskbar_capslock.gif should be visible on the very bottom right of the screen (to the right of the current time, on the taskbar). Pushing 'CAPS-lock' (press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png + http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_tab.png again will disable caps-lock: the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/shot_taskbar_capslock.gif should disappear, and the keys will work as expected.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
How do I make a | (vertical bar, or pipe) using the keyboard?
- Qtopia: Press SHIFT + SPACE
In Qtopia (the normal, graphical environment), hold one of the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png keys and push http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_space.png .
On the clamshell models (C-750 to 860), you can hold the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png key and push L.
Last updated: 2004.Dec.12
- Console: Press FN + SPACE
In text-only console mode, push or hold the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png key and push http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_space.png .
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
How do I make [ and ] (brackets) using the keyboard?
- On the SL5x00 models, Press SHIFT + FN and Del or Comma
To get an open bracket ("["), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_del.png .
To get a close bracket ("]"), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_comma.png .
- On the SL-Cxx0 models, Press FN and T or Y
To get an open bracket ("["), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press T.
To get a close bracket ("]"), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press Y.
Last updated: 2004.Dec.12
How do I make { and } (braces) using the keyboard?
- Press SHIFT + FN + < and >
To get an open brace ("{"), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_period.png .
To get a close brace ("}"), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_enter.png .
Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
How do I make a ` (grave) using the keyboard?
- Press SHIFT + FN + Space
To get a grave ("`"; normally left of the 1 key on US keyboards), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_space.png .
Source: Stefan Kremer
Last updated: 2002.Apr.17
How do I make a ^ (caret) using the keyboard?
- Press SHIFT + FN + Quote
To get a carat ("^"), push and hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_quote.png .
Source: Stefan Kremer
Last updated: 2002.Apr.17
How do I make a (backslash) using the keyboard?
- Press SHIFT + TAB
Hold http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_tab.png . Note: This doesn't work in single-line input fields or some versions of the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/icon_terminal.png !
Source: (Many people)
Last updated: 2002.Nov.21
- Get 'Custom Input' application
The Custom Input application lets you set up customized keyboard shortcuts on the hardware keyboard (as well as customize the on-screen keyboard.)
Source: Colin Pinkney
Last updated: 2002.Aug.05
Where's the Escape key?
- Press Cancel
The http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_cancel.png button on the panel acts as the Escape key.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
How do I send CONTROL characters (to the Terminal, for example) using the keyboard?
- Press FN + SHIFT + Key
In Qtopia, all CONTROL-A through CONTROL-Z characters (except CONTROL-C) can be sent by holding both http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png while pressing the letter.
CONTROL-C can be made by pushing just http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png and http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_c.png .
(CONTROL-Z, -X, and -V can be entered with just http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png , as well)
Applies to: QWERTY keyboard models
Last updated: 2002.Apr.05
Can I use a regular or stow-away keyboard with the Zaurus?
- PocketTop folding IR keyboard
A keyboard for iPAQs that also officially supports the Zaurus. Folds in two halves. About USD$90 from PocketTop.net
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09
- Man and Machine rolling wired keyboard
A rubbery keyboard that can roll up like a newspaper. FX100, about USD$80.
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09
- Others, possibly using Linux/iPAQ software
But the Zaurus has a serial port, so something like the ThinkOutside Stowaway keyboard for the Palm could be used, as there's a hack to connect it to iPaq PDAs running Linux. (See this and this.)
Source: Brian J. Fox
Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
Do I have to type out these long commands all the time/is there a faster way to change directories while using the terminal?
- use tab completion
The Zaurus has tab complition just like desktop linux boxes. Just type part of the name of the directory or command and hit the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_tab.png key (its right next to the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png key) If there are more than one matching command or directory it'll beep at you and you can hit the tab key twice to see all the matches.
Source: w8tvi Last updated: 2003.Oct.4
===How do I enter the pound sterling (£) symbol on the keyboard?</b>*Press and release the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png key. Then press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png + E together (Shift + E). (Pressing FN+Shift+E all together does not work)
The UK Zaurii have a pound symbol above the E key pointing to this keyboard shortcut, however it should work on all US Sharp ROMs also.
Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.07
==How do I enter the Euro symbol on the keyboard?
- Press and release the http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png key. Then press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_shift.png + R together (Shift + R). (Pressing FN+Shift+R all together does not work)
The UK Zaurii have a Euro symbol above the R key pointing to this keyboard shortcut, however it should work on all US Sharp ROMs also.
Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.07
How do I send CTRL+C in the console (i.e. without Qtopia running)
- Strangely this is the Calendar button + C.
Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.08
I've upgraded to the Sharp 3.10 ROM (or one of it's alternatives - tkcROM, etc), and I no longer have the pickboard. How do I get it back?
- The word library is missing
Install the Word Game ipk, that's where the word library is located.
Source: gerrynjr Last updated: 2003.Oct.09
Does the Zaurus keyboard have a Caps Lock or Num Lock feature?
- Yes both Caps Lock and Num Lock
To turn on Caps Lock, press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png + http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_tab.png . A small 'c' should appear to the right of the clock, indicating it is on. To turn it off, press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png + http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_tab.png again.
To turn on Num Lock, press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png +'/?'. A small 'N' should appear to the right of the clock, indicating it is on. To turn it off, press http://www.oesf.org/faq/images/key_fn.png +'/?' again.
Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.13

