Ignoring the windows key is silly.

[Guest]

<frustratedrant>

Why is it that every linux distribution tries to pretend that the windows key doesn't exist? Some anti-microsoft anti-non-free sentiment? It is silly. Call it the flag key if you wish, but almost every keyboard has it. Why can't I bind my windows key to the K menu? I know it's possible, but it is definitely not obvious. Why is this not standard?

</frustratedrant>

[arochester]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

Why is it that every linux distribution tries to pretend that the windows key doesn't exist?

Crunchbang Linux doesn't. If I have a Windows keyboard or a Mac keyboard it calls the relevant key the Super key...

[kubicle]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

Why is this not standard?

Probably because many people like to use it as an additional modifier key (like Ctrl and Alt) for their own customized keyboard shortcuts (like win+space, win+d, win+alt+left etc.)...as these rarely conflict with application specific shortcuts (which mostly use Ctrl and Alt).

Setting it to act as a single key as a default would in my opinion be a waste of perfectly good modifier, after all, one can set something like win+space to open k-menu and still have the possibility to use with other shortcuts as well.

Also, I don't understand how using it as a modifier key equals "ignoring it" or "pretending it doesn't exist".

[sithlord48]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

kubuntu reconizes the window key on my keyboard and calls it "super". or "meta"
its a modifer key and is much more usefull as a modifer key then a key that brings up a menu!

[jglen490]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

Yep, good old Linux flexibility at work 8)!!

[Telengard]

Have you checked your keyboard shortcuts?

In Hardy with KDE 3.5, amarok uses the Windows key for its global shortcuts. I've been thinking about re-mapping those global shortcuts to my own functions, but I may just leave well enough alone.

[Guest]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info!

[aged hippy]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

It's also the default <Scan> modifier key for Stardict... a program i wouldn't like to have to live without.

[fidesratioque]

Re: Ignoring the windows key is silly.

I translate, and I assigned my Windows key to switch between English and German keyboard layouts. I thought it was kind of ironic, since multiple languages are like compatible formats, which is something Microsoft hates so much.