Okay here’s another annoying iOS feature that Mac OS X Lion has adopted. I actually hate this one, but it isn’t the one I hate the most I’ll talk about that next week. It’s smart if you need it, but stupid if you aren’t spending all day using different special characters. If you are a developer you might not like that fact that you cannot enter multiple letter A’s etc. The title of this post is an example of a creative way to use repeating characters that Mac OS X Lion won’t allow you to do by default.
Today, I’ll show you how to fix that.
Launch the Terminal app located inside of the Utilities folder which is inside of the Applications folder on your startup disk. Once you have the prompt enter:
defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false
and press Enter/Return. This will allow your keys to repeat like they did before Mac OS X Lions release. If you decide to switch it back to the new repeat key method enter the following at the Terminal prompt:
defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool true
Please note that the change will not take effect for apps that are already open and running. You’ll have to close and re-open any apps before the change you make above so that the app recognizes the change.
David W. Martin has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as a programmer, systems and business analyst, author, and consultant. David has written for CNET’s iPhoneatlas.com, MacLife.com, CultofMac.com, BYTE.com and recently for aNewDoman.net. He comes to Cult of Mac’s website with deep knowledge and passion for the all things Apple. Follow David on Twitter @david_w_martin or see what he’s up to now at davidwmartin.com.
21 responses to “Ttturn Oonnn Kkkeeeyyy Repeeattt In Lion [OS X Tips]”
Who cares about repeating keys?! I’m seriously so over how much COM is hating on lion. Just post an article about switching back to snow leopard and leave it at that.
I think this is one of the most brilliant features in Lion. Over here in Europe we use accented characters a lot, and almost nobody uses the stupid key repeat function.
So, don’t agree with the writer of this piece one bit. But it’s good that those 3 people that need it, can switch it back to the way it was.
Funny, I love that new feature. I almost never need to repeat a letter holding the key down, but finding special/accented characters this way is nice and much more usable.
Sometimes change is good!
Yo, I like to repeat keys. It’s like whoaaaaaaaaaa. You know? And then I’m all like heyyyyyyyyyy! So when the accents pop up, it’s like wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy annoying.Â
Just sayin’. This post is like awwwwwwwwersome.
g.
http://images.memegenerator.ne…
I think the command to turn the new feature back on should be ‘true’ at the end, not ‘false’
Nrandio,
WHY U NO LIKE REPEATING KEYS?
If you want to see what I truly hate about Lion stay tuned for some news next week. It’s only one feature that I really loathe the rest is fine – well most of it. COM does not hate Lion that’s just dumb. But you should be able to configure the computer to suit your needs and not the other way around period – so now with this tip we have options.
Go read my review of Lion http://www.BYTE.com and the Lion review here on COM.
You’ll see we like Lion for the most part.
How often does anyone really need repeat keys – what useful purpose does it serve? Does any language have more than two of a letter in any real word? Is it something that’s important to programmers like the author is / was?
Quick and easy access to alternate characters is infinitely more useful to ordinary users. If this is the author’s second most “hated” change in Lion, I dread to think what his #1 is. Reversed scrolling? Or has he already hated on that/
I think this “issue” could be solved a bit easier if you apply some brain to it:
Re: “But you should be able to configure the computer to suit your needs and not the other way around period – so now with this tip we have options.”
Well, that’s probably why it can be configured via a built-in System Preference (Keyboard) without having to go into the Terminal at all.
Not saying well-reasoned criticism of Lion’s changes isn’t warranted, or than anyone’s opinion is invalid, but this article shows an excess of emotion and a dearth of research.