Hello folks. Just some little Infos und how to get the special keys of the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard running under linux. There is a handy tool called xbindkeys to do such things. with xbindkeys you can find out the keycodes for every button you like… Just type “xbindkeys -k” into terminal and press the button you want to know the keycode for… The code then gets printed in the Terminal…
All you have to do now is to extend the .xbindkeysrc file in your home directory (create it if it’s not already there).
In this File you put in the Command you want to launch an associate it with the keycode.
Like this:
| What? |
Example of Line in .xbindkeysrc |
Comment  |
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Web/Home Button |
| Command |
“firefox” |
| Keycode |
m:0×10 + c:180 |
now start xbindkeys in your terminal… and voila… key bound to your custom command 
If you use Gnome you could now add xbindkeys to autolaunch (Its in System->Settings->Session).
For your convienience i’ll provide you my custom .xbindkeysrc. It has also a binding for the ThinkVantage Button on a Thinkpad T400 (it launches a terminal now )
put the following into .xbindkeysrc in your home directory!
#
# Custom .xbindkeysrc
#
# .xbindkeysrc from http://www.puerro.net/2009/04/linux-ms-natural-ergonomic-4000-keyboard/
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Favorite 1
"emacs"
m:0x10 + c:192
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Favorite 2
"thunar"
m:0x10 + c:193
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Favorite 3
"gnome-terminal"
m:0x10 + c:194
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Favorite 4
#"gnome-terminal"
# m:0x10 + c:195
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Favorite 5
"gnome-terminal"
m:0x10 + c:196
# Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Web/Home Button
"firefox"
m:0x10 + c:180
# Sroll Lock becomes Screen Lock
"gnome-screensaver-command --lock"
m:0x10 + c:78
#mp 04.01.2008 thinkpad button
"gnome-terminal"
m:0x0 + c:156
# see http://www.puerro.net/2009/02/thinkpad-t400-switching-monitors/
#automatic xrandr yai... Alt+F6
"/home/mp/scripts/detectvga.sh"
m:0x18 + c:72
Have Fun!
Tags: !programming, *nix, free
