As you have to push alt, then your function key, then the numpad numbers which aren't lined up very nicely and labelled with teeney print 

That alone basically forced me to switch back to my desktop to do the serious work on my thesis - I needed far too many special characters to be able to work productively on a laptop.
Is there a simple way to have an international keyboard?
07/12/2010 05:19:17 PM
- 631 Views
There are quick keys for those, that might be better for your purposes
07/12/2010 06:05:36 PM
- 418 Views
Here's a link that has those codes
07/12/2010 06:12:31 PM
- 559 Views
I remember learning the codes for writing a french paper back in the day ...
07/12/2010 07:09:45 PM
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Hitting "Alt+144" every time I need to type É is not really a solution.
07/12/2010 07:22:32 PM
- 407 Views
As Craig said, your mileage will vary
But there is another alternative that might work for you
07/12/2010 08:05:44 PM
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The (Jupiter) Optimus Maximus Keyboard *NM*
07/12/2010 06:25:18 PM
- 202 Views
this. as long as it's worth $2400 to be able to switch at will.....
08/12/2010 01:53:00 AM
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How many languages do you need to routinely access? Are you opposed to keyboard stickers?
07/12/2010 06:58:18 PM
- 464 Views
Four, I guess.
07/12/2010 07:19:36 PM
- 388 Views
Agreed. If I want to write in French, I have to use Word.
07/12/2010 08:21:58 PM
- 388 Views
Obviously the solution is to be less educated. Who needs French?
*NM*
07/12/2010 08:31:10 PM
- 205 Views

Learn your alt codes.
*NM*
07/12/2010 08:56:37 PM
- 184 Views

For every time I need to write é? No thanks.
*NM*
07/12/2010 09:30:01 PM
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I'd like to point out that alt codes are ENORMOUSLY inconvient on laptops,
07/12/2010 10:02:22 PM
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True, laptops are pain in the ass for it.
07/12/2010 10:04:53 PM
- 390 Views
well ...
07/12/2010 07:07:16 PM
- 424 Views
Yeah, I find inserting accents really easy with a Mac keyboard *NM*
07/12/2010 07:32:08 PM
- 167 Views
Use a UK keyboard instead of US, and press Alt GR + vowel for acute accents.
07/12/2010 11:30:36 PM
- 405 Views
What a waste of time.
08/12/2010 04:29:08 AM
- 450 Views
You seem to have wasted a lot of time in this thread. *NM*
08/12/2010 05:52:25 AM
- 184 Views
A one-time thing, rather than an ongoing waste that will accumulate to eat up days of my life. *NM*
08/12/2010 01:38:32 PM
- 174 Views