Hi Kevin,
I tried an external USB numeric keypad for my MacBook that works with
my Intel Macbook, my older PowerPC 12" Powerbook, Windows XP on a
Lenovo ThinkPad, and linux on the same Lenovo ThinkPad laptop. This
was posted just after the macvisionaries list moved to Google Groups,
but before archiving at the secondary mail archive site that makes
searching and reading/navigating through old posts and threads easy
was activated for this list. However, a Google search on
"macvisionaries Lenovo numeric keypad powerpc intel linux" brought up
this link for our list at Google Groups:
http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries/msg/3d6147fe14a021e1
That post February 2009 post describes the Lenovo 33L3225 USB Numeric
keypad and its activation, and even gives a link to the U.S. Lenovo
web site for purchasing this product that still works. You may be
able to get suggestions from other list members who are more
knowledgeable about external numpads. I would check whether you need
to update drivers for recent Windows versions. If so, they probably
are supplied on the accompanying CD/DVD disc with this product -- I
never had to use anything from these discs for the installations I
checked. There may be more product options available to you now. Since
I was using this to teach myself Numpad Commander sequences under
Leopard, my primary requirement was that the device operate flawlessly
and automatically with the Mac and with Linux systems, and
considerations about number of keys, minimal size, wireless operation,
retractable cords, and other such features were all secondary. (I
also didn't want to get a full-size keyboard just to use the numpad.)
The other thing you could try is using an app on your iPhone. When I
was looking for an external numpad, I came across descriptions of
numeric keypad apps for the iPhone, and I got a friend with a first
generation iPod Touch to download the $1.99 NumberKey app by Balmuda.
Then I turned keyboard practice mode on (VO+K), touched the screen,
and heard VoiceOver announce each one of the number keys. It was kind
of neat that I could run the Numpad Commander key sequences on a
paired iPod Touch screen (well before VoiceOver supported iPhones and
iPod Touches became available). The keys were almost exactly in the
right position and size to do this without reference points, but it
helped if you simply put rubber bands across to mark the lines
separating the rows and columns of keys.
If you want to try this, you can download the NumberKey Free version
of the app:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/numberkey-free/id310129994?mt=8
I'd recommend Edovia's NumPad app instead, but since the OS you'll
only hear VoiceOver announce "var mobile applicat" for every button,
whereas NumberKey and NumberKey free will still say
"black_underscore_0" or "black_underscore_enter", etc. for these
keys. The disadvantage is you have to download and start a "NumberKey
Connect" desktop progam with the Balmuda program, and I think they may
only support XP and Vista on the Windows side. Edovia's program works
without requiring a separate download for either Mac or Windows, but
VoiceOver no longer correctly announces labels now. For more details
see this archived post on "Edovia's NumPad app for iPhone/iPod Touch"
http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries%40googlegroups.com/msg13635.html
HTH. Cheers,
Esther
On Jul 2, 2010, Kevin Mattingly wrote:
I was wondering if anyone knew of an external numpad for the Mac. If
that was available, you could really make use of your vm windows and
linux machines.
Kev
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