MacBook Pro: No square brackets - wrong keyboard layout

[oss_test_launchpad]

On a German PC keyboard, usually square brackets are produced as follows:

AltGr + 8: squared bracket open
AltGr + 9: squared bracket close.

MacBooks Pros have no printed indication on the keys how to produce square brackets (AFAIK this goes for all models), so I assumed you could produce them the PC way.

I assumed that the key second right to the space key (= the one left from the LeftArrow key - you can see this nicely on http://www.oliverherrmann.com/stuff/mbp/MBP02.jpg) would have the function of the "AltGr" key you know from PCs. However, when I press this key whose name I don't know, plus "8" or "9", I get no square brackets. Instead, this key works as "Return" key.

This goes for Ubuntu 8.10 Alpha 4, fully updated. Ubuntu installed, then System -> Prefrences -> Keyboard -> "MacBook / MacBook Pro (Intel)". The MacBook Pro is a rev. 3 one.

[old_toby (simon-hornweb)]

On Macs, the square brackets are usually on 5 and 6.

[oss_test_launchpad (oss-test-launchpad)]

Doesn't work either. Besides, I think it should be done the usual PC way. Everything else is the PC way, too (like Ctrl + c = "copy" instead of AppleKey + c).

[old_toby (simon-hornweb)]

Which Release are you using? On Hardy, I have everything working like on an apple (but not with the applekey, but the one next to it). square brackets are on 5 and 6, curly ones on 8 and 9. The Return-Key problem is worse on Intrepid (i filed an extra bug here: Bug #262319)

[oss_test_launchpad (oss-test-launchpad)]

Which release: Please read above. Thanks for the info. I, too, think that the key next to the Apple key would be the best replacement for AltGr.

[oss_test_launchpad (oss-test-launchpad)]

Apparently, currently not only the keyboard is not being detected but it is also completely wrong. Try System -> Einstellungen -> Tastatur, choose "MacBook/MacBook Pro (Intl)" + "Germany Macintosh" and choose "Print Layout Diagram". I get a DESKTOP KEYBOARD DIAGRAM! Now I stop wondering why there is so much wrong with Ubuntu and this keyboard! You can look at this diagram in https://bugs.launchpad.net/xkeyboard-config/+bug/261573, it's called This_is_what_Ubuntu_thinks_to_be_a_MacBook_or_MacBook_Pro_keyboard_Intel_Germany_Macintosh.pdf.

Can anyone tell the developer about this? Seems to me he doesn't really read what we are discussing here.

Once more, here is what the keyboard really looks like: http://www.praezisionoptoelektronik.de/upload/Tastatur/Apple15/Apple15b.jpg.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

[This is an automated message]

Hi oss-test-launchpad,

Please attach the output of `lspci -vvnn`, and attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file from after reproducing this issue. If you've made any customizations to your /etc/X11/xorg.conf please attach that as well.

[oss_test_launchpad (oss-test-launchpad)]

I suppose what you need is this:

----
(**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
(**) Video Bus: xkb_rules: "evdev"
(**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
(**) Video Bus: xkb_model: "pc105"
(**) Option "xkb_layout" "de"
(**) Video Bus: xkb_layout: "de"
(**) Option "xkb_variant" "mac_nodeadkeys"
(**) Video Bus: xkb_variant: "mac_nodeadkeys"
AUDIT: Tue Nov 25 19:31:01 2008: 6106 X: client 4 rejected from local host ( uid=0 gid=0 pid=6328 )
AUDIT: Tue Nov 25 19:31:05 2008: 6106 X: client 4 rejected from local host ( uid=1000 gid=1000 pid=6333 )
AUDIT: Tue Nov 25 19:31:05 2008: 6106 X: client 4 rejected from local host ( uid=1000 gid=1000 pid=6334 )
AUDIT: Tue Nov 25 19:31:05 2008: 6106 X: client 4 rejected from local host ( uid=1000 gid=1000 pid=6335 )
(WW) Apple Computer Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: unable to handle keycode 464
----

[Bertrand Rousseau (bertrand-rousseau)]

I could solve this bug for Intrepid with my belgian macbook keyboard by following the instructions on this page: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookPro1-1_1-2/Intrepid

Here is the text telling what to do:

"The MacBook Pro Keyboard doesn't have a Alt GR / Right Alt key, so there is no way to type Third Level Keys, such as "@" and "[" (these vary from country to country). Here is a solution:

Go to System > Preferences > Keyboard. On the Layout Options tab, select "Third Level Choosers" and check "Press Enter key on keypad to choose 3rd level".

Now you can use the Left Enter key (on the MacBook Pro keyboard) as a Alt Gr Key to access these Third Level Keys. "