after upping to hardy i've lost some buttons: the "launch browser" one, and in the "function" function keys* i can still turn off the screen and up and down the volume and others, but i can't kill the autodimmer, or, rather, the "brighten" and "dim" keys don't work. in the sometimes dark environs of a coffeeshop the thing oscillates up and down in brightness as if clouds are passing over it. frankly i can decide for myself what brightness the screen ought to be, thanks. in the /etc/acpi folder there are some shell scripts, some of which i've zipped up. is that a false lead? hyeeealp!!!