Specifications

CHAPTER 1. AN INTRODUCTION TO LINUX INPUT 2
1.1 Current State of Input Devices
The answers to the questions regarding desktop keyboards (Appendix B, §B.3) revealed that
Linux beginners are not the only one unsatisfied with the current support for desktop key-
boards. While 70% of the Linux beginners working on desktop systems are unhappy with
the current situation, almost 50% of the experienced users demand better support for desktop
keyboards, too. Professionals are more contented: about 42% are satisfied with the support for
desktop keyboards. Looking at these results, it is apparent that even support for conventional
desktop keyboards needs to be improved. The results regarding Linux supp ort for desktop
keyboards are shown in Figure 1.1.
Linux ProfessionalsLinux Beginners Linux Experienced
30% 70% 50% 50% 42% 58%
Satisfied
Not Satisfied
Legend
Figure 1.1: Linux Support for Desktop Keyboards
The results for built-in laptop keyboards (Appendix B, §B.4) are disappointing. All parti-
cipants who classified themselves as beginners report that they face problems with the function
keys found on their laptops. 33% of the Linux beginners can not use their function keys at all.
The rest (67%) of the beginners stated that they can use at least some of them—but nobody
reported that all function keys are working. 35% of the experienced Linux users working with
laptops report that all function keys are working as supposed. More than half (52%) of the
experienced users state that at least some of the function keys are working. For about 13%,
none of the function keys are working. Only 7% of the professionals state that they can not
use function keys of their laptops at all. 49% can use all of them and 43% are able to use some
of the function keys.
It is apparent that one needs expertise to get function keys working on laptops. In most
cases it is actually possible to use at least some of them. But due to missing interfaces users
without profound knowledge about Linux are ignored. The results regarding Linux support
for function keys of laptop keyboards are shown in Figure 1.2.
Linux ProfessionalsLinux Beginners Linux Experienced
Legend
0% 67%
All function keys are working
Some function keys are working
No function key is working
33% 35% 52% 13% 49% 43% 7%
Figure 1.2: Linux Support for Laptop Keyboards