[dougster]

I needed a special character the other day and "where is the special keyboard"? Went to the Finder->Help->typed in Keyboard View and there popped up Chris' info. The cheating part is when you have a supported application open you can double click or insert that particular character from the Character Palette and it pops into your document. But I think it kinda takes the fun out of the key commands /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[sereluna]

I've had the International menulet forever - I think it was installed there as default. In fact it's probably the only menulet that I really use - I usually have the input mode palette open as well, not to mention the special characters one constantly minimised in the dock, and the font panel open in TextEdit. (And then there are colours.) I suppose I have to switch languages a lot /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

[tom_slick]

Unfortunetly, it is not mentioned, in the previous post, that when one clicks on the red Crayola Crayon close button of 'Keyboard Viewer' [it is really 'KeyboardViewerServer'], its window will disappear; however, the application does not quit.
If one where to again select 'KeyboardViewerServer', in the 'Dock' they would note that ... nothing happens.
To properly quit 'Keyboard Viewer' one must use 'Finder's 'Apple, Force Quit...' menu item or 'Activity Monitor' utility via the 'Applications/Utilities' folder to force quit the 'KeybaordViewerServer'.
Actually, creating a small AppleScript Applet will properly run / quit 'KeyboardViewerServer'. The code is presented below.
tell application "System Events"
if exists process "KeyboardViewerServer" then
try
quit application "KeyboardViewerServer"
end try
else
tell application "Finder" to open item "System:Library:Components:KeyboardViewer.component:Contents:SharedSupport:KeyboardViewerServer" of the startup disk
end if
end tell
Via 'Script Editor's 'File, Save As...' menu item make sure to select 'Application' from the 'File Format' popup menu. Let us title the Applet 'KeyboardViewer'.

Now place 'KeyboardViewer' on the 'Dock'. You can now click on 'KeyboardViewer' to run 'KeyboardViewerServer', and click again on 'KeyboardViewer' to properly quit 'KeyboardViewerServer'.
Not very Mac like but better then wondering why 'KeyboardViewerServer' does not appear, when trying to run it - again, after previously clicking on its close button.
A rather simple and more effective way is to have someone with MacOS X 10.2.x send you a copy of 'Key Caps'. 'Key Caps' works just fine with MacOS X 10.3.x.

[Grant_G]

Sorry, but using Keyboard Viewer from its intended place (Input Menu > Menu Bar) beats this tedious chore by a mile. Click the icon, select the Viewer, use it, click the red ball (X), it's gone. Need it again in a minute, or an hour, or three days from now? Do the same thing.
Why make something hard out of something that isn't?
G /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Marissa]

I like tom_slick's Applet. I hereby rescind my QED.
Thanks Tom.

[pdrayton]

Phew! Finally someone's shown me how to get those special characters!
Thanks!
Wooohooo :-)

[PBAvatar]

OK, perhaps I am dumb, but I am having problems with all of this. I followed the initial suggestion that kicked this all off and found a little US flag in the menu bar. However when I click on it to go get the keyboard viewer, there is no keyboard viewer. I just get the options to view the special characters palette or the input mode palette. The input mode palette is just a tiny window with the US flag in it. It does nothing.
I tried to make the applescript that you offered, but I get syntax errors so nothing works. I have NEVER used Apple Scripts before, so I am sure I am doing something wrong. But I have no clue what that is.
Someone help out a noobie, please?

[stevil]

I followed those directions to the letter. When I use the input menu, all I see are three options:
1) My selected input language (US)
2) Show input mode palette
3) Open International...
When I select "Show input mode palette", I get just that, a palette with the US flag (and presumably those for other languages I might select). Nothing about Keyboard Viewer.
I'm running 10.3.4. Anyone else seen this?

[PBAvatar]

yeah, I just posted with essentially the same problem... see above

[pdrayton]

I had the same problem... thought I was being stupid or something, but I think maybe the instructions could have been slightly clearer for those of us who have been in the dark on the keyboard input options.
System Preferences -> International -> Input Menu. Then, with Input Menu open make sure you "check" (or "tick") Keyboard Viewer. Now, when you click on the flag in the menu bar you'll see an option for "Show Keyboard Viewer.
Hope that helps.

[rgarber]

Why bother with keyboard view when you can get a great shareware program called PopChar X from Macility? I am not a big user of add-on utility programs I only use PopChar X and Aquila Calendar but I find both indespendible.
/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Richard

[d00d]

Because it costs money and while I'm a fan of the original version for OS 9, they got greedy. $30? C'mon, that's a rip off.

[PBAvatar]

Now THAT solved my problem with the Keyboard Viewer.
I still don't get the apple script thingie, but hey, one thing at a time.
Thanks!

[pdrayton]

/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Glad it worked!
AppleScripts are fun... give yourself some time, and you might want to go to AppleScript to get started. Have fun!