F-Lock
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The F-Lock key is on some Microsoft keyboards and a new concept facility for Microsoft Keyboards. The F-Lock key, depending on its state, will allow either a function key's (i.e. F1 through F12) "normal" operation or a new "enhanced" operation. The initial state of the F-Lock key is "off", and in this state, the function keys use their "enhanced" operation. In older keyboard models, the F-Lock key state would revert to off after a reboot or keyboard reset. In newer keyboard models, the F-Lock key state is retained.
Many other keyboard manufacturers (such as Logitech and Viewsonic) have now also implemented the F-Lock onto their keyboards. Ironically, however, the F-Lock key commonly appears only on keyboards that already have specific buttons to which the function keys have already been assigned.
Other issues plaguing computer users are other non traditional keyboard elements. For example, Microsoft has released several keyboard models where the function keys were in groups of three, not four. The Home/End/PgDn/PgUp/Del/Ins keyboard arrangement has also been re-arranged from the traditional 2 row/3column layout. Many users have complained sarcastically about programs not closing when they held down Alt+F4 (as holding Alt and F4 will close a program). Alternatively, the many people press F5 when F Lock is off and get the 'Open' dialog, rather than getting the usual F5 function (usually 'refresh') or pressing F2 to rename a file in Windows Explorer, only to have their last file operation to be 'undone'.
There are a few companies that have not implemented the F-Lock key, including Labtec.
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