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With KDE you can set any key or a combination of keys to trigger an action on your computer. As an example: when I pause my work I want to lock my screen with the Pause key so my colleagues cannot baggy-pants me. Here is how to do that.

systemsettings

select "Shortcuts and Gestures" -> "Custom Shortcuts" -> "Edit" -> "New" -> "Global Shortcut" -> "Command/URL" -> enter "Pause"

click on Trigger -> "None"
type the PAUSE key
click on "Action"
enter

qdbus org.kde.screensaver /ScreenSaver org.freedesktop.ScreenSaver.Lock

or (whatever works)

/usr/lib64/kde4/libexec/kscreenlocker_greet

or (whatever works)

/usr/lib64/kde4/libexec/kscreenlocker --forcelock

click "Apply"
test it by pressing the PAUSE key

Tutorials/hotkeys

See also