Using the keyboard:
By Tenryuu

Preface:
So it would appear that I'm one of the few that actually uses a keyboard (funny, I thought it was everyone >.>). But in speaking to people who use controllers, I've realized that the keyboard can present an intimidating challenge to the consummate console player - even to the point of people playing on PC dashing out to the nearest computer store to pick up a USB controller o.O!. So, on Opie's insistence, I've decided (been volunTOLD) to write up this article to do the following things:

- Learn, and eventually master this versatile control method.

- Save yourself the X-ty bucks a controller would cost!

First things first:

Generally I find two distinct scenarios with controller users, either they've played console forever and are used to the controller, or they HAVE used keyboards but on games like WoW (spit!) which control more like a first person shooter (ASDW/mouse combo for sight/movement). Fortunately, these challenges aren't insurmountable! There are a variety of solutions to accommodate even the most D-pad addicted adventurer out there! Which I will list from most drastic to most comfortable.

1) Changing the control scheme! (the terror!)
Buried in the FFXI config menu (in game) is a spot (whom's location escapes me at the moment) where you can switch the keyboard from "full size" to "compact". "Compact" keyboards are like normal boards, but without the Numpad, in which case it uses ASDW to move with, and to input text, you merely hit the spacebar, which changes the letter keys from shortcuts to text input. I recommended this to several Borecraft players and they were quite satisfied.

2) Thinking outside the d-pad! (zomgs?!)
Think of the keyboard as a backwards controller, the D-pad is to the right, and everything you need to do is right there at your fingertips, this is my preferred method of control.. and by preferred, I mean THE ONLY WAY I'LL PLAY! (barring less than sober evenings where I'll turn off the GUI and wander around in first person using the admittedly smoother controls of the controller to 'feel like I'm there'!! >.> that's just me?.. never mind then)

Using the keyboard - this first time is usually either difficult or awkward, often both!:

Welp, I think the first thing to cover would be keyboard shortcuts, also known as the reason Opie keeps saying party chat in linkshell, or tells in /say hehe (she's gonna kill me):

Here's how you talk! Controller users are already aware of this anyway, but for new players this just might be useful.For chatting, you've got five options.. four really as one is a default.

Chat colours (default):

Chat	Colour
Say	White
Tell	Purple
Party	Aqua
Linkshell	Lime
Shout	Orange

1) Say - this is aloud for anyone in close range to hear, if you're on normal keyboard, just start typing, when you hit enter, it will be a "say", and be visible to those nearby. On compact keyboard, hitting "spacebar" will open a text input area at the bottom of the screen where you can do the same thing. Lastly, if you're in some other chatmode, hitting Ctrl-s will make your message a "say". Also, you can just start typing /s in front of what you're typing to make it a say.
example: "Tenryuu: 100 million gil please!"

2) Tell - This is a private message directed solely at a specific person, quickest way to do this is to target someone, then hit enter, and enter again, and it'll say ">>Tenryuu:", and if you're receiving a /tell: "Tenryuu>>". Once you're received a tell, all you have to do is hit ctrl-r to cycle through the list of people who've /tell'd you until you get to the name you want, then type your message, hit enter, and away! Also, /t (name) at the beginning of a statement will make it a tell to that person.
example: ">>Tenryuu: I'm your biggest fan - here's my Kraken Club!" or "Tenryuu>> Awesome! I really needed a Hauteclaire!"

3) Party - Pretty self-explanatory eh? Messages to your party, which your party members, regardless of location, will see (and hear, so be considerate with those folks!). Hit ctrl-p to talk to party, you'll see "/party:" type in your message, and you're done. Opening a sentence with /p will also make it party chat.
example: "(Tenryuu) You pulled a WHAT?! {I'm sorry} {Disbanding party}"

4) Linkshell - Messages to linkshell, if you INSIST on talking to them. Hitting Ctrl-L will make your next sentence linkshell chat, as well as starting with /l. Linkshell chat can be heard anywhere by anyone in your linkshell.
example: "{Tenryuu} Ladies, line up at the left!" (Straight brackets get interpreted by the site as HTML code heh heh sorry ^^;)

5) Shout - Shouts are heard -almost- over the entire zone (people at the Port Jeuno Mog house won't see shouts from the Port Jeuno Home point). As far as I remember, there's no Ctrl shortcut for shout, just starting a sentence with /sh. By default shouts are a kind of orange text, and it would behoove you to make sure shout colour and say colour are different lol.
example: "Tenryuu: {Teleport-Vegas} {Can I have it?} {Reward} 1k"

Using the normal keyboard:

Admittedly, I find using the control sticks (PS2 and/or 360, I've never heard of a PS3) present a more fluid motion, which is great for sightseeing, however, when you're getting from point a to b, I'll take the numpad, and its sexy sexy autorun! The numpad brings alot of utility to the FFXI interface, this group of keys governs movement, targeting, first person toggle, speed toggle, and resting.

Movement Keys:

Key	Function
8	Forward
4	Left
6	Right
2	Backwards
7	Toggles autorun - like cruise control, you'll keep moving in the direction your character is facing. This can be a bad idea sometimes.
/	Toggles between walking and running, since FFXI doesn't have a stamina bar, why are you walking (unless you're RPing..?)
Shift	In first person mode, hold this button down to sidestep, or "Strafe"

Camera Keys:

Key	Function
9	Zoom in
3	Zoom out
5	Toggles first person view
Arrow Keys	Control the camera

Other Keys:

Key	Function
*	With no target, this key makes you take a knee and rest (which you can also do by typing "/heal") When targeting something, this key locks and unlocks your target, when you're locked you'll always be facing the mob.
-	Opens the main menu
+	Opens your chatlog, hit +, then enter to full screen your log, hit + again to filter out say, tell, linkshell, party, or shout.
0	Switch target (if in battle, you must unlock target with * before switching)
Tab	Same function as "0" key
ScrLk	Hides all windows
PrtScn	Takes a screenshot (must clear screen with ScrLk key first)
Esc	Cancel

The F-keys!:

Key	Function
F1-6	Targets You (F1), and everyone else in your party, from F2 to F6
F7	Also targets yourself
F8	Targets the nearest NPC (this includes monsters and pets)
F9	Targets the nearest PC
F10	Targets the first name on your party's member list
F11-F12	Targets the first member on your alliance's member lists

Macros!:

"Ctrl and Alt" open their respective macro lists, hold down Ctrl-number to activate the macro in that slot

Using the compact keyboard:

This control scheme is more or less the same as many other (less entertaining) MMOs out there, as well as pretty much EVERY first person shooter since Quake. A quick pickup for the oldschool shooter fans, like myself (though, again, I prefer normal keyboard).

Movement Keys:

Key	Function
W	Forward
A	Left
D	Right
S	Backwards
R	Toggles autorun
Z	Toggles between walking and running

Camera Keys:

Key	Function
.	Zoom in
,	Zoom out
v	Toggles first person view
I	Camera Up
J	Camera Left
K	Camera Right
L	Camera Down

Other Keys:

Key	Function
H	With no target, rest When targeting something, this key locks and unlocks your target
-	Opens the main menu
F	Opens your chatlog, hit +, then enter to full screen your log, hit + again to filter out say, tell, linkshell, party, or shout.
Tab	Switch target (if in battle, you must unlock target with * before switching)
Y	Confirm
N	Cancel
Spacebar	Open text input (use commands for /say, /party, /linkshell, /tell, /shout to speak on those channels)

Ctrl/Alt commands (both work):

Key	Function
A	Begin or break off auto-attack mode
C	Check a target (Easy Prey?)
E	Open equipment window
G	Call for Help (Maybe you should just go ahead and pop this key out XD)
H	Rest
I	Open the Item window (your inventory)
J	Opens your Job Abilities window
L	Chatmode: Linkshell
Y	Confirm (quicker to just hit enter..)
Z	Toggles Autorun
~	Opens main menu
.	Zoom In
]	Hide all windows
M	Open Magic menu
P	Chatmode: Party
R	Reply to last /tell (Keep pressing to cycle through everyone who's /tell'd you)
S	Chatmode: Say
T	Chatmode: Tell
V	Toggle First person / Third person views
W	Open Weaponskill window
D	Perform a ranged attack
N	Cancel (really.. just hit Esc)
'	Zoom out
[	Take screenshot (must hide all windows first though)

And that's how you use the keyboard, the technical side anyways. If you're particularly -bad- at using the Keyboard, it's just a matter of practice, I generally find myself holding the thing like a giant controller anyways.

Things to remember:

1) your hand is only so big, you'll possibly hurt yourself trying to hit the Ctrl/Alt-5-10 macros, what I do is use my hand to select 1-5, and the arrow keys to access the other ones (much like how you use macros on a controller)

2) really, I find the keyboard a time saver, I don't need to swap inputs to type, then move, then fight, then type, its all right there.

3) don't let the pile of commands put you off, I don't actually use anything but the Numpad and the macro bars lol (maybe if I had several extra fingers though...)