--- About BasiliskII and SheepShaver keycodes files. ---


- File names -
"BasiliskII_keycodes" is usually used with BasiliskII and "keycodes" with SheepShaver. But these files are identical and each can be used with both BasiliskII and SheepShaver.


- ISO or ANSI keyboard -
The keycodes file works best if SheepShaver and BasiliskII use the same keyboard type as the one that is used by the host. ANSI keyboards are the standard in the USA, ISO keyboards are used in most European countries.

You can recognise the keyboard type by the shape of the Return key. On ANSI keyboards the key is a horizontal bar, on ISO keyboards the key has the shape of a "L" upside down.

SheepShaver and BasiliskII default to an ISO keyboard. If you use the keycodes file and your keyboard is an ANSI keyboard, you best add the following line to the SheepShaver or BasiliskII prefs file:

keyboardtype 2


- Windows host -
On Windows hosts the Windows Logo key cannot be used as the key is highjacked by Windows for its own use. To make it possible to use all modifier keys in Mac OS in the emulator, the keys at the bottom of the keyboard are mapped in the keycodes file from left to right:

Control --> Mac Option
(Logo)
Alt --> Mac Command
Space
Alt --> Mac Command
(Logo)
Control --> Mac Control

(On ISO keyboards the Right Alt key is an Alt Gr key, equivalent to Alt Right + Control Left. This will translate to Mac Option + Command.)


- Linux host -
The keycodes file assumes Linux to be used with a Windows keyboard. On Windows keyboards (and on most other non-Mac keyboards) the Logo (command) and Alt (option) keys switched positions compared to these keys on Mac keyboards. The keycodes file puts these keys in the order that is used on Mac keyboards.
(However, this causes the Option and Command keys to appear swapped if a Mac keyboard is used.)


Ronald P. Regensburg.
Amsterdam, 19 August 2021.