Win key both a modifier and a regular key

[ViktorNagy]

This is a feature request.

The actual situation:
1. The win key is set by default as a meta key.
2. Users comeing from Windows machines are used to the win key's functioning,
and would like to use it to open the K-menu.
3. This behavior can not be set under the System settings, because of one.

The requested feature:
A per-user solution is to use an .xmodmap file, but it would be better to use a
per-machine solution (Set somewhere in /etc), and a KDE set up to use the
Win-key to open the K-menu. (Some Linux-fans are against the win key, but they
know KDE/Linux enough to change its behaviour.)

[Rocco Stanzione (trappist)]

I second this motion. If this is not the correct place to file a request like this, please let me know.

[Jonathan Riddell (jr)]

I'd be happy for this to happen but I've yet to see a clean way for it to be done.

[Andrew Ash (ash211)]

The problem is that I've never heard of anyone being able to get the win key to act as both a modifier and a key to itself. Using it as a modifier (Win+D = show desktop) and using it as a key to itself (press Win = KMenu appear) simultaneously is almost impossible to do with Linux. If anyone has ever heard of anybody getting both to work at once, I'd love to hear about it.

If the win-key was set by default to be a key itself, it wouldn't be able to act as a modifier at the same time. Currently, Amarok has a few global shortcuts that by default use the Win Key as a modifier.

It looks like the optimum solution from systemsettings' point of view is to allow the user to choose between the two options and then implement that choice.

[ViktorNagy (viktor-nagy)]

Andrew, you are right. With such a modification the win key won't function any more as a modifier key. But for example I use the CTRL+Win combo, even if it is not alpabetically correct (D=Desktop), it is much more comfortable (the keys are beside each other).

My question would be: why does amarok has defualts with the wen key? :)

[Andrew Ash (ash211)]

Since KDE ships with the Win key as a modifier, I guess the Amarok developers figure that it would be nice to do something with it. If the the win key was defaulted to an actual key, then I bet they would change Amarok's default shortcuts!

[Andrew Ash (ash211)]

Still no developments on this, but I don't think it's really an issue in kde-systemsettings. This is more of a thing with how the kernel handles keyboard input. Again, if anybody knows how to make the win key both a modifier and a regular key, I'd LOVE to hear about it.

Until then, I've found I rarely use the KMenu at all, since Katapult is so handy!

[J Janz (jjanz)]

It's probably known by all of you but, just to take it out of my conscience, as I'd like to see this feature implemented too (and would hate to know it's not there by not saying this ;-) ), Mandrake 7 and 8 (the only ones I used) used to start K menu by hitting Win key. I'm not sure if it also used it as a modifier (I believe so) and if Mandriva is still doing it.
I'm no kde developer (yet, at least - so I don't know if I could help more) but I think it is a beginning (actually, if it really helps).

[Andrew Ash (ash211)]

Arnoldo, if possible, could you please check to see if those versions were for sure able to act as both a modifier and unique key? Thanks

[J Janz (jjanz)]

Andrew,

(First, just for correction, it's Arnaldo, but it's ok ...)
I would need to install'em again and I couldn't find those CDs. So I downloaded Mandriva One KDE 2007 Live CD and tested it through Live CD.
So, supposing that those versions I mentioned work the same way or that today they use an evolution of those, I should answer that they don't. This Mandriva do open the menu on Win Key and I saw on its keyboard shortcuts settings that it was mapped to open K Menu but, when I tried to assign it as a modifier of an arbitrary action, right when I held the Win Key, it just prompted me that the key was assigned to open the applications menu, asking if I wanted to change.
Then I took a look around the other keyboard shortcuts, as Amarok ones, and all of those that use Win Key as modifier in Kubuntu were changed to Ctrl+Shift(or Alt)+Key.
Just to know, I asked a friend that uses Debian w/ Gnome and mapped Win Key to open Applications menu (a second option on this way that I'm aware of - to see if Gnome had it) to try to map it to an action as a modifier. Same result.

Sorry.

[Andrew Ash (ash211)]

Sorry for the name error, Arnaldo. I was hoping that Mandriva had this figured out, but it looks like it still hasn't been. Hopefully someone in the community can figure out a way to do it.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Beginning with the Hardy Heron 8.04 development cycle, all open Ubuntu kernel bugs need to be reported against the "linux" kernel package. We are automatically migrating this bug to the new "linux" package. However, development has already began for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. It would be helpful if you could test the upcoming release and verify if this is still an issue - http://www.ubuntu.com/testing . If the issue still exists, please update this report by changing the Status of the "linux" task from "Incomplete" to "New". We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this transition. Thanks!

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

The Ubuntu Kernel Team is planning to move to the 2.6.27 kernel for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. As a result, the kernel team would appreciate it if you could please test this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. There are one of two ways you should be able to test:

1) If you are comfortable installing packages on your own, the linux-image-2.6.27-* package is currently available for you to install and test.

--or--

2) The upcoming Alpha5 for Intrepid Ibex 8.10 will contain this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. Alpha5 is set to be released Thursday Sept 4. Please watch http://www.ubuntu.com/testing for Alpha5 to be announced. You should then be able to test via a LiveCD.

Please let us know immediately if this newer 2.6.27 kernel resolves the bug reported here or if the issue remains. More importantly, please open a new bug report for each new bug/regression introduced by the 2.6.27 kernel and tag the bug report with 'linux-2.6.27'. Also, please specifically note if the issue does or does not appear in the 2.6.26 kernel. Thanks again, we really appreicate your help and feedback.

[Ralph Janke (txwikinger)]

Unfortunately this bug report is being closed because we received no response to the last inquiry for information. However, the Intrepid Ibex 8.10 Beta release was most recently announced - http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/intrepid/beta . If you are able to confirm this is still an issue with this most recent release please feel free to reopen this report. To reopen the bug report you can click on the current status, under the Status column, and change the Status back to "New". Thanks.