Enabling OS/X Keyboard support for Standard Function Keys

When coding with Visual Studio or XCode, developers rely on the F1 to F12 keys. By default an OS/X machine uses these sacred keys for monitor brightness, keyboard backlight, volume and media control. The Mac keyboard provides a function key, fn (the function key), in order to make use of F1-F12 rather than the default potpourri provided by Apple. The fn key is located on the lower left of the standard Mac keyboard:

Thankfully OS/X provides a setting that makes the F1-F12 behaves as the F1-F12 keys without hitting the function key. To configure this setting, first click on System Preferences (see below):

From the System Preferences dialog click on the Keyboard button:

The keyboard dialog is as follows and note the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" checkbox: 

Check the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" checkbox to toggle the behavior of the function keys. In order to use the keys less used by developers (monitor brightness, keyboard backlight, volume and media control) click on the function key (fn) followed by the desired action.

Visual Studio was referenced as one reason to make the fault keyboard behavior be to use the function keys, F1-F12. Visual Studio does not run on OS/X by VM Fusion does so it is possible to run a Windows Virtual machine on a Mac. This is extremely handy for developers who develop in both environments.