Comment 7 for bug 161960

I think you are looking at this from a completely unnecessary and, frankly,
foolish perspective.
Microsoft's Windows renders GUI applications into different blocks
(windows), each with their own externally controlled Close, Minimize and
Maximize buttons. The fact is, people expect this and it is an intuitive
choice.

Similarly, Super L says "Start" on it 99% of the time (number pulled from
thin air, but can't be far off!). In addition, it is mapped to nothing by
default. What harm is there in mapping it to something? I for one prefer
using Super as a modifier key for all my Compiz plugins, but as one who has
been converted and adapted to Ubuntu and the joys of customization, I do not
mind in the slightest the idea of going and turning that event-stealing
functionality off.
As for the claim that "We shouldn't look like Windows!!", I would like to
point you to a recent change in Ubuntu, which added symlinks simulating
Windows' shell commands. (For example, "dir"). There are a lot of Windows
users out there, and it certainly does not hurt to help them along. There is
absolutely no harm in either of these things. How can I say that? Well, did
you notice that you can type "dir" in the shell and have it do something?
Has that change come out and eaten your hand off?
Thought not.

The claim that Ubuntu must be learned is an interesting one. I accept that I
would scream in horror if somebody gave me Linux command line directions
using "dir" and the like, but it can't be learned at all if the first step
to learning is a tricky one. Our job is to make it as easy as possible so
that people do not *need* to read the documentation. The system should make
sense on its own.
Super L triggering a function that resembles "Start"ing is a relatively
simple concept, unlikely to harm anyone, and no more intrusive than the
Windows shell symlinks -- and those have proven quite painless so far.

Now, back to the topic at hand: Implementation!

On Wed, Feb 20, 2008 at 8:47 PM, Jo-Erlend Schinstad <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Have you ever seen the disbelief on Windows users faces when you tell
> them there aren't any viruses for Linux? They're so used to it, they
> think it's completely natural for an operating system to have viruses.
> But it's not. The question isn't why Ubuntu doesn't have the same
> default keyboard shortcuts as Windows. The question is, why would Super
> L be a good choice for the Applications menu? The fact that Windows has
> a similar menu pop up when someone presses it, is not a good reason. Why
> should it need to be learned? Because if we mimic Windows too closely
> just to be similar, people will make other assumptions too. Ubuntu is a
> different system with its own philosophy. It must be learned.
>
> --
> Add function to WinKey button on keyboard
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/161960
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
> Desktop, which is a direct subscriber.
>
> --
> ubuntu-desktop mailing list
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>