Question for X-Keys Users

[Basilikos]

After having decided that I'm not going to try to multicast a Nostromo N52, I'm going to go with the X-Keys Pro.

Firstly, I know that the X-Keys Pro (I'm going to use the PS/2 model) can record a complex macro into a single key. Can it also handle having multiple keys down at the same time? For example, I want to keep macros AS WELL AS the modifiers and the keys they modify in certain cases programmed into the X-Keys. If I were to assign SHIFT to a key and the "one" key to another key, would pressing the SHIFT key and the "one" key be sent to the computer in the same manner as having pressed SHIFT + 1 on the regular keyboard? Obviously, I can't think of a reason why not. I just want to know what I'm getting up front so can start to plan my key / macro arrangement while I wait on the device to arrive.

Secondly, I seem to be running out of PS/2 ports on the computers running my alts. Right now, each of the alt machines has attached one of the outputs from a KVM which uses PS/2 outputs. I have observed a number of decent options to get around the fact that I will use the Vetra 4-port PS/2 keyboard multicaster, but they all have their shortcomings.

Basically, there are a number of options that involved either adding another set of PS/2 ports to the computer (either internally or externally, using USB) or using a y-mouse (or similar device) to connect both keyboard outputs (one from the KVM and the other from the Vetra) to the keyboard port on each computer. Has anyone tried anything like this? If so, what device did you use? I have been able to determine that my computer will tolerate having different devices than what it expects plugged into the PS/2 ports without problem. What is bugging me about these devices is that they would need to tolerate KVMs as well as not do anything freaky (like randomly reset things like caps lock or the mouse position). I have not been able to find reliable reviews on the PS/2 "streamliners" (keyboard and mouse into a single PS/2 port). The PS/2 keyboard/mouse to USB devices I've found are either expensive beyond belief, or have been shown to be of poor quality. The one internal solution (i.e. add more PS/2 ports to the computer) I've found is really nothing more than an internal version of the USB devices and I cannot find decent reviews for it, either.

Advice would be appreciate.

Thanks.

[razorbax]

I can help with the first part.

I believe it can record complex macro's onto the key but it is against the TOS and will get you banned. It is very easy to detect this server side. The best thing to do is just program the keys and use the Macro's in wow or Trinity3.

Just think of an Xkeys as a normal keyboard but you can choose the keys you bind. There is a nice guide here in the forums about key combo's that are available for use. It's mostly the SHift Alt combinations of the function keys with a couple of exceptions, ie Alt F4....

[Basilikos]

I believe it can record complex macro's onto the key but it is against the TOS and will get you banned.

D'oh. My bad. What I meant when I said "macros" in this context was the combination of more than one key. This was in no way intended to develop functionality that would be ban-worthy on any other device.

There is a nice guide here in the forums about key combo's that are available for use.

I seem to have missed that. I'll look around for it, though. Is there a good search phrase that will help me out?

It's mostly the SHift Alt combinations of the function keys with a couple of exceptions, ie Alt F4....

Perhaps I misunderstand, but do you mean, "It's mostly the Shift Alt combinations of the function keys that are the exceptions...?"

Thanks.

[Basilikos]

It seems as though http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156004 might be the answer to the PS/2 issues. It's the only device I've run across that seems to be getting great reviews aside from the one or two people that are in an odd situation with their specific hardware (or trying to use it almost two years ago with release candidates of Vista). The manufacturer's page for the device has been updated from NewEgg's material and it now claims Vista support (which seems reasonable).

Also, many users report it to work quite well with KVMs.

Just FYI, maybe someone else out there could use it.