Just a little Rant...

[xfactordomine]

I really wish keyboards were made without the stupid Windows key
I'd like to replace my ancient ps2 IBM keyboard with something a little newer, but alas..
And why aren't they being made clicky anymore!? I love my Model-M!

I realize I can just rip the key out.. but that's not the point

Ok.. i'm done now.

Thanks,

-X

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Because it's actually a very useful key to have. There are loads of shortcuts I use every day with the Windows Key and I wouldn't but a keyboard without it. That said, as far as typing quality goes, ancient IBM keyboards tend to kick more recent keyboards...

 

[Sunner]

IMO it's not so much that the Windows key in itself is useful, it's Windows' key-shortcut function that is nearly useless.
If Windows would allow you to specify these shortcuts yourself you'd never need a Windows key to begin with, you could just as well use ctrl-e to bring up an explorer, etc.

But I agree about older IBM keyboards, they rock, I still use two of them.
The only ones that can compete IMO are Keytronics, those are very good too.

 

[Ausm]

I have to agree with woodchuck2000 I use the windows key alot during daily use

Ausm

 

[Smilin]

I love to type on those old clinky IBM keyboards. Playing games on them sucks tho. I'm a fan of the Windows key. I long ago learned not to hit it while a 3D app was running though.

My pet peev: an L: shaped enter key (and the subsequent moving of the backslash key)
I HATE that. I'll be typing along some path and Whoops! hit enter!

The new (non-clinky sounding) IBM keyboards are great quality too.

 

[ISAslot]

Make better use of your windows key

 

[dullard]

The Windows key is useful for many people, although I never happen to use it. However I wish it would be moved to someplace that wasn't frequently hit - anywhere but where it currently is.

I personally don't see the point of making a sound. The only thing that clicky keyboards have is that they annoy everyone around you (think roomate in college trying to sleep, think annoying everyone else in your office, think little kid sneaking in to play a game past his/her bedtime). Some people like the clicky keyboards since they know when a key has been pressed. However there are many great keyboards that let you know that a key has been pressed by feel instead of by sound. So what is another advantage to the loud annoying noise?

 

[Daovonnaex]

I enjoy "clicky" keyboards as well, primarily due to the tactile feedback they return to you. You're referring to mechanical switch keyboards, or, better yet, capacitive switch (also known as buckling spring) keyboards. Capacitive switch keyboards are good for 50 million keystrokes and give excellent tactile feedback. They rarely fail and are not too difficult to repair. Unicom still manufactures and sells them--beware, they cost $60-$100 (whereas contemporary membrane keyboards can be had for less than $10). You can find them at here.

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
Make better use of your windows key

*click* *save*

nice find

 

[thorin]

I don't see why people complain about the Windows key. Alot of games etc allow you to disable it while they are running (there are also 3rd party applets for this). Even if you don't do this how hard is it to learn not to hit it? Does no one know how to touch type anymore? And it's extremely useful for short cuts.

Thorin

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: thorin
I don't see why people complain about the Windows key. Alot of games etc allow you to disable it while they are running (there are also 3rd party applets for this). Even if you don't do this how hard is it to learn not to hit it? Does no one know how to touch type anymore? And it's extremely useful for short cuts.

Thorin

Some people have bigger fingers than others, which can lead to problems in stressful situations.
I don't know how many times I've hit the windows key in Freespace/Freespace2 in the midst of the action, fortunately FS pauses the second you switch out of the game, but it's still extremely frustrating.
If I knew an easy way to reasign shortcuts to other keys, as you can with just about any other OS/WM, I'd have no need for the Windows key and get rid of it in a second.

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
Make better use of your windows key

Nice! I'll use the Windows key every now and then if I know the short cut. I'll be keeping this link.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: thorin
I don't see why people complain about the Windows key. Alot of games etc allow you to disable it while they are running (there are also 3rd party applets for this). Even if you don't do this how hard is it to learn not to hit it? Does no one know how to touch type anymore? And it's extremely useful for short cuts.

Have you ever seen the Simpsons episode where Homer goes on disability by gaining too much weight? There was a scene where he needed to use the phone and couldn't. [recorded voice]Ding, Ding, Ding. Your fingers are too fat. Please mash the keypad to order a new phone[/recorded voice]. Same thing with keyboards. I suppose some people have large fingers - and accidently hit multiple buttons. I personally have small hands (all my body material went somewhere else ) and in order for me to type properly my joint where the left pinky finger meets the hand sits right on the CTRL key / Windows key joint. One slight relaxation of my wrist always ends up in hitting the Windows key. I use many computers at work/school and I cannot disable it on most of them (no permission). So I either need a break every 10 minutes to keep my left wrist from hurting, or I let it relax a bit and get dozens of Windows key problems a day.

 

[MrGrim]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
Make better use of your windows key

Excellent link, thank you.