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Idea #9482: Let windows key work as modifier in keyboard shortcuts

bug This idea is a duplicate of Idea #2051: Allow Super (Windows) Key combinations from Keyboard Shortcuts.
Written by Afkpuz the 4 Jun 08 at 15:07. Category: Others. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
This is a small thing. In system>preferences>keyboard shortcuts, the windows key cannot be used as a modifier. It can only be used as a stand alone key. I think it should be allow to be a modifier, as when I use compiz, I like to set cube rotation to windows+#. When I turn off compiz, I'd like to make metacity have a seamless transition in terms of hot keys, but that is only possible if the windows key works as a modifier, not a stand alone key.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #9482
Written by Afkpuz the 4 Jun 08 at 15:07.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #9482 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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zishmusic wrote on the 4 Jun 08 at 18:36
+1 for me. I use Compiz exclusively because of this. I don't always need the fancy effects, however. It would be great if my shortcuts weren't bound to the window manager that I'm using, and instead bound to the Gnome Desktop.

I like using the Windows Meta key in my shortcuts, since I can use them with the confidence that I'm probably not going to break shortcuts for other applications (like the Terminal).

glibik wrote on the 4 Jun 08 at 21:14
First up, I think it's a misnomer to call it the "windows" key. On some keyboards it's called the Ubuntu key. (There's at least one idea on brainstorm that refers to it.)

Maybe someone else knows the correct name. Open to suggestions here. :-)

AFAIK that key can work as modifier in keyboard shortcuts. It's just a matter of configuring to do so. (I suspect keyboard configuration flexibility in Linux is such that any key could work as a modifier if configured to do so.)

I think the trick here would be to modify the configuration tools to make it obvious how to use that key as a modifier. Maybe even update some of the doco on how X interprets keyboard signals.

Vote = +1

Truefire wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 00:41
It's officially the Start, or Home key.

vexorian wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 00:45
And let people buy an ubuntu version of the key ! I would order 10 of them right away...

MighMoS wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 03:04
Super. Its the ``super'' key. And I would so buy Ubuntu keys.

uaneme wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 03:22
Just an idea

Windows key + -> arrow key moves to the next desktop for instance. And i might even start using that key.

+1 in advance


glibik wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 05:53

http://www.zareason.com/shop/product.php?productid=16162


Lukehasnoname wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 12:52
Thread-jackers.

+1, the Windows/Super key should be allowed for use in keyboard shortcuts. I can't make "Show Desktop" Win+D... but either way, that's one less modifier key that's really useful.

Afkpuz wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 14:10
I love that keyboard glibik! What I usually do in compiz is have super+anything relate to rotating cube. So super+1=rotate to face 1 etc. Super+click=rotate cube with mouse. Then, I set my window movement to alt+anything. so alt+1 moves the current window to face 1. Helps me keep things straight to have super mean rotate and alt means window manipulation. Like I said in the OP, can't do that in metacity

jamespgray wrote on the 3 Jul 08 at 20:19
As someone who still needs to use windows for work it would make the switch back and forth a bit easier. I also like the idea of having a single modifier key reserved for user defined bindings (as opposed to being used by applications or the environment itself). Interesting that gnome-do already uses + as a hot key combination.

jamespgray wrote on the 3 Jul 08 at 20:22
Should have been "super + space as a hot key combination."
brainstorm didn't escape my use of angle brackets.

Pander wrote on the 16 Jun 11 at 15:13
Just make sure that the option keeps existing that I choose to set preferences to use the windows key as compose key.


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