AS/400 upgrading, AS/400 keyboards, Keyboards
In an effort to standardize our equipment, the company for which I am working is replacing all old and outdated keyboards (this includes the 122-key keyboards used with the AS/400) and replacing them with standard 104-key keyboards. I am wondering if there is any documentation on using the AS/400 with a 104-key keyboard as opposed to the 122-key version. 
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Schmidtw | Jul 8 2008 12:22PM GMT
We access the AS400 through “IBM Client Access Emulator.” Personally, I do not use the AS400, but I am in charge of developing a manual or walkthrough for translating keystrokes/functions over from the 122-key keyboard to the 104-key. I am already aware of F1-12 and Shift + F1-12 (CMD13-24), but because of my inexperience, I do not know the gammet of various commands that can be translated.
I previously contacted IBM for a list of commands/functions/keystrokes or any material on operation of the AS400 and the search yielded nothing.
I guess I am essentially asking if the keyboard layout manager (*.kvm) is the tool I should use and include the manual so that 104-key keyboard users can configure their AS400 commands themselves, OR if there is a default way built in.
Schmidtw | Jul 28 2008 2:10PM GMT
Are there any AS400 client access users out there that could help me?
Have you taken a look at the Customize Keyboard option in the iSeries Access for Windows emulator (also known as Personal Communications)? This is the emulator which comes with iSeries Access (formerly known as Client Access). When you install iSeries Access, it creates a default map for the keyboard, which should be for a standard PC keyboard.
On the toolbar, there is a keyboard icon that allows you to map and remap keyboard functions. In that window, there is a drop down list on the left of all the keyboard functions that you can assign to a specific key or combination of keys. You can click on a key and see what functions it controls, or you can search for a function and see what keys control it, and change as desired.
The keyboard map gets saved into a .kmp file, which can be copied to other computers so that you wouldn’t have to remap each user’s configuration. Then each user could further customize for their preferences. Or since the .kmp file is plain text, perhaps you could write to that file programatically to create an initial configuration, if that is what you had in mind.
Schmidtw | Jul 30 2008 3:12PM GMT
I have looked at that, yes.
I will take a look at it again to formulate the document.
I was just looking for some form of documentation on it. I contacted IBM 3 or 4 times about a month ago, and recieved no word yet. Apparently it’s not out there, and that’s ok too.
Thanks.
Schmidtw | Aug 12 2008 6:20PM GMT
Are there any users out there that would be willing to proof the document I have created and let me know if it’s accurate and correct?
I’m a bit confused here - you don’t see too many 122 key PC keyboards anymore.. You also say that you do not personally use the AS400. Just to clear things up, are the 122 key keyboards connected to PC’s or to 3196, 3179 or 3180 IBM terminals?
If you are looking at IBM terminals with 122 key keyboards - forget it. You can’t change those.
Assuming for the moment that this is a PC keyboard, and you say you are using Client Access. The IBM client software has a keyboard mapping utility that produces a “.kmp” configuration file. What most places probably do is set up a “standard” keyboad map and that is then included in the PC software image or whatever passes for a standard installation.
The stock keymap tries to make the 104 key keyboard look like a standard 3196 122 key keyboard, and may put the ENTER key where the right “Ctrl” key is and the FIELD EXIT key over where the numeric “Enter” key is. I may be wrong about that as I don’t even think about it anymore. There is nothing you can do about the F01-F24 keys, unless you wanted to make something wierd like “Alt-Shift-S” equal the F22 key.
What you probably should do first is talk to some experienced AS/400 users at your location and find out what function keys are used and what would work well on a 104 key keyboard.
Regards
Mike
Schmidtw | Aug 15 2008 5:46PM GMT
All are PC users using Client Access. Some are still using 122 key keyboards and are set in their ways. I made some documentation to help 122 key users to adapt to and or configure for 104 keyboards when they receive them. We have enough users where making this change without educating them and giving them material on the new system could be a big step in the wrong direction.
