From: Benjamin Koh (benkoh_at_stanford.edu)
Date: Fri Jan 05 2001 - 08:55:39 EST
Mike Capone wrote:
>
> The windows key (the one with the window symbol on it) is utterly
> useless because CTRL+ESC does the exact same
> thing.
Ctrl-Esc will bring up the Start menu, yes, but it does not allow
launching programs directly. Windows-E, for example, will start
Windows Explorer, which is a program I use frequently - I put it in
the top level of my Start menu. Windows-E is a lot more convenient
than using the mouse or Ctrl-Esc plus a few keystrokes. That said, I
prefer NOT having the Windows and contextual-menu keys. Like Jane
Loyless I do not like the way they reduce the size of other keys on
laptop keyboards. In fact on full size keyboards I often hit the
Windows and contextual-menu keys by accident and have come to detest
them. Unlike Ctrl which has no effect if you strike it and do nothing,
these extra keys switch the focus, and suddenly your typing is
interrupted as you have to Alt-Tab back. With Alt you can hit it again
and be back where you were. Not with these new keys.
> I also agree that the keys should never be added to notebooks,
> period, they are a waste of space. I'm still fuming over the fact
> that its very hard to get regular 101 key PC keyboards
> anymore.... They are out there, but hard to find...
I was lucky to locate an original IBM 101-key keyboard (the buckling
spring type) in a thrift shop. Paid all of $2 for it. I touch type
noticeably faster and more comfortably on it. Of course, it also
weighs about as much as my 560x. Still, IMHO it's one of the best
bargains I've found. A sticker on the back says 1984 or something like
that. Dunno if that's date of this unit's manufacture or date of its
design, but it's definitely pretty old. If you come across one of
these, grab it. I have another (newer) IBM 101-key keyboard that's
half the weight and has a smaller footprint, but it feels noticeably
inferior in construction and I type poorly on it. Sometimes the old
stuff is really better.
Benjamin
>
> -Mike
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dave W. Beauvais [mailto:davewb0_at_yahoo.com]
> > Sent: Friday, January 05, 2001 3:04 AM
> > To: ThinkPad Mailing List
> > Subject: RE: Thinkpad X20 quick review
> >
> >
> > I prefer keyboards with them, because I use the Windows keyboard
> > shortcuts frequently. I seldom use a mouse during daily use except
> > while browsing because keyboard shortcuts are so much faster. With the
> > Windows keys, I have instant access to Explorer, the Run and Find
> > dialogs, Device Manager, and can get to the desktop in one move by
> > pressing Win-D in Win98 and 2K. Because of my reliance on keyboard
> > shortcuts, I welcome the additional key even if it does force
> > manufacturers to reduce the size of keys like Ctrl and Alt. Just a
> > personal preference, though, and I know many of you will disagree.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Jane Loyless [mailto:jloyless_at_netbox.com]
> > > Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 06:02 PM
> > >
> > > [snip]
> > > I, for one, am happy that IBM has resisted adding the
> > > Windows keys to their excellent keyboard. I've been
> > > working with a Compaq notebook this afternoon that has
> > > the extra keys, and they just take up too much real
> > > estate causing other keys which are more useful to me
> > > to be smaller.
> >
> >
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