FunctionFlip
I like the media keys on my MacBook keyboard - just not all of them. Fat-fingered that I am, I regularly skip tracks when I just want to pause. Disabling all of the keys just won't do, because I use the brightness and volume keys every day.
FunctionFlip individually controls your MacBook or MacBook Pro's function keys, turning special keys back to regular F-keys, or vice-versa. As of version 1.2, FunctionFlip is a preference pane. You'll find it in the "Other" category in System Preferences.
How To Use FunctionFlip
FunctionFlip's purpose is simply to disable the special features — rewind, play, mute, etc. — on the function keys. For example, if you "flip" F7, F8, and F9, those keys will revert back to normal F keys — without affecting the other functions. Press the fn key with the special key to get the special function back. That is, the "special" and "normal" functions are flipped.
To assign a custom shortcuts to your reclaimed keys, use a program like Quicksilver or Keyboard Maestro.
Please note: FunctionFlip only works on Macintosh laptops with the "new model" keyboard, featuring the function keys shown in this Apple image.
As of version 1.1, FunctionFlip supports all MacBooks and MacBook Pros, recent Apple external keyboards, iBooks, and PowerBooks. If your keyboard is not supported, contact me.
FunctionFlip requires that "Enable access for assistive devices" be checked on the Universal Access pane in System Preferences.
Get FunctionFlip
Free. Requires Mac OS X 10.5 (Universal binary).
Upgrading from version 1.0 or 1.1? You’ll want to read this important information.
Changes
1.0 (9 July 2008): First release
1.1 (20 August 2008): Support for more keyboard layouts, plus new icons by Lorenzo Orlandi
1.2 (13 September 2008): FunctionFlip is now a System Preferences pane.
1.3 (13 October 2008): Expose and Dashboard keys can now be flipped. Modifier keys (Command, Alt, etc.) are passed for flipped keys. Added an About box.