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Idea #2051: Allow Super (Windows) Key combinations from Keyboard Shortcuts

bug This idea was marked as already implemented the 25 September 08.
Written by dsargeant the 1 Mar 08 at 05:08. Category: Accessibility. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: Already implemented
Rationale
Currently you can only set Super by itself from the System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts dialog. It is possible to set, but you have to start gconf-editor from the command line. In gconf-editor -> / -> apps -> metacity -> window_keybindings you have to manually type the combination, instead of pressing the desired key combination.
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Developer comments
You can use the win-key to set shortcuts:

http://fedoraforum.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-46657.html

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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #2051
Written by dsargeant the 1 Mar 08 at 05:08.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #2051 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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hackel wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 05:22
This is a bug, and a GNOME bug at that. It doesn't belong here.

dsargeant wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 05:52
Maybe I misunderstood the reason for brainstorm, but I thought it was to gauge user interest in Ubuntu improvements, including bug fixes. I think that the "attach a bug" option supports my impression.

wolfwitch wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 06:12
Getting this fixed (admittedly not an Ubuntu problem) would probably help or take care of at least a few dozen other Brainstorm posts. Most are just things like "Make the Windows Key Work."

shirish wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 06:25
hackel could u provide a pointer to that GNOME bug? Would make things easier for the rest of us.

dsargeant wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 06:32
I found the bug in launchpad and added it. It says fix released, but is not fixed for me in Hardy. I apologize if this "idea" shouldn't have been posted here.

brettalton wrote on the 4 Mar 08 at 14:46
Why is this marked as 'done'. Can a dev please comment?

stevec wrote on the 5 Mar 08 at 06:37
Agreed. Regardless of whether this is a Gnome bug or not, it's ridiculous that in this day and age you can't use Super-/Windows-key combinations.

jakeg wrote on the 6 Mar 08 at 15:34
This is not 'done'. It doesn't matter if its in Gnome or whatever else - to a user they're using Ubuntu not Gnome. They probably don't even have a clue what Gnome is - I know both of my sisters don't, and they're both on Ubuntu now thanks to me. But I'm not on Ubuntu yet myself (apart from the server) due to pesky things like this.

dennyhalim wrote on the 25 Aug 08 at 10:39
see also https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/161960

r0g wrote on the 8 Sep 08 at 21:58
Yes really, saying this is a bug with some other linux project is just buck passing. Many people seem to be obsessed by dreaming up and implementing new features and functionality but the FEATURES THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE would like to see implemented in EVERY DAMN OPERATING sytem are stability improvements, security improvements and BUGFIXES.

I'd like to see Canonical release a LLTS version that would be supported for 10 years, then we might end up with a stable OS at the end of it.

r0g wrote on the 8 Sep 08 at 22:02
Oh yes, and I've just counted the key's this could be used with on my keyboard and so I calculate that this "BUGFIX" would make each windows key 70 TIMES more useful than it currently is.

dave_t_uk wrote on the 1 May 09 at 13:39
I can't seem to get this to work as I want. Sure, it is possible to change the mapping so that the windows key works as a modifier, then you can start assigning things like win-R, win-D, win-E, etc.

However, I find that as soon as I change the mapping setting, pressing the left hand 'win' key on it's own won't bring up the applications menu. Trying to assign the windows key in the keyboard shortcut application doesn't do anything.

It seems like in Windows, this key is special in that it can behave as a modifer *and* as a normal key in its own right, but this doesn't seem to be possible in ubuntu.

Perhaps it is, but it is in an obscure option somewhere. It should really be quite obvious. Changing the keyboard mapping is not obvious and also risky to some users; screw that up, and your keyboard might stop working completely.

P.S. Is there a good reason why this key is called so many confusing things ('Super L')? Why can't we just call it the windows key, and have 'Windows Key' displayed in the shortcut assignments?


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