Many `modern' keyboards have additional keys, intended to start certain
functions on the system, such as altering the sound card volume, skipping
tracks on CD playing software, or shutting down the system. Such keys are not
intended to send out any text to the program that currently receives focus. The
FunKey package therefore extends Linux with a kernel patch and a daemon that
processes keycodes to start commands, rather than generate strings.

The FunKey kernel patch that adds a `keycode interpretation type' that says
`send a code out over /dev/funkey'. The `funky' daemon reads this character
device and starts plain Un*x commands in response. The code is independent of
the kbd_mode, so it works under textual mode as well as under XFree86.

The patch applies to Linux 2.2.14 and comes with a simple example daemon.
You can pick both up at

	http://home.zonnet.nl/vanrein/linux/funkey


Enjoy,
 -Rick.