Re: keyboard politics [Was: Key bindings proposal]

[Bernardo Barros]

BTW that's the only proprietary-related piece in my system, but it's
hardware not software at least

2010/8/16 Bernardo Barros <address@hidden>:
> I would buy a simple GNU key to replace the Windows key in my
> thinkpad... (if I can replace a simple key from the keyboard, I don't
> know if it is possible)
>
>
> 2010/8/16 Uday S Reddy <address@hidden>:
>> On 8/14/2010 10:22 PM, Xah Lee wrote:
>>
>>> the way i'm guessing how the Win logo became common in PC keyboard is
>>> this:
>>>
>>> Microsoft invented the key and logo (probably influenced by Apple), and
>>> place
>>> it on the keyboard they manufacture, as well integrated in their OS for
>>> use of
>>> that key. Perhaps in a year or two, other keyboard manufactures, in
>>> competition
>>> with Microsoft's hardware department, also wanted to have that key,
>>> because
>>> MS's OS is very popular.
>>
>> Well, at the time (Microsoft natural keyboard in 1994 and the first
>> successful Windows build in 1995), Microsoft's OS wasn't exactly "popular".
>>  Many corporations were using Mac's, and Microsoft had to wean them back to
>> the PC.
>>
>> Yes, it is plausible that Microsoft introduced the windows key in its own
>> keyboard and probably copied Apple in doing so.  (This is by no means the
>> biggest thing they copied from Apple in the 90's!).
>>
>> However, the windows key in its original form was just a start button.
>>  Notice this in your own picture.
>>
>>  http://xahlee.org/emacs/ms_keyboard/ms_natural_keyboard.html
>>
>> I found the O'Reilly "Windows 95 in a Nutshell" guide on my bookshelf
>> (still!) and verified that invoking the start menu was all that the windows
>> key did originally.  I remember going, "why do they have such a silly key in
>> such a strategic location?"
>>
>> So, you can understand my disrespect for the Microsoft windows key.  Not
>> only was it copied from Apple (as we are guessing), but also rather stupidly
>> copied.  Now, it is possible that the Microsoft's keyboard division (which
>> was quite good) and the Windows division (which was trying hard to catch up)
>> were out of sync and the stupidity wasn't intentional.  It is also possible
>> that Microsoft just found an opportunity to push its brand and used it.
>>
>>> i'm not sure if there's anything explicitly sinister about how it came to
>>> became so popular.
>>
>> If you have read any of the documents in the Microsoft antitrust case, you
>> will definitely change your mind about the "sinister" bit.  Microsoft
>> bullied a whole industry into submission.  Yes, a keyboard manufacturer
>> doesn't have to put the windows key or logo, but if they posed a threat to
>> Microsoft dominance, Microsoft knew how to bring them in line.
>>
>> ------
>>
>> Coming back to the point of discussion, since Microsoft never designed
>> complete systems like Apple did, their OS and keyboard are loosely coupled.
>>  One doesn't have to use the windows key to use Windows, or to use it
>> effectively.  Since the OS cannot depend on the presence of the windows key,
>> it can't put essential functions on it, only conveniences.  There is no
>> reason why the users can't use it for different purposes if they want to.
>>  And, there is no reason why Emacs shouldn't take full control of it to
>> serve its users' needs.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Uday
>>
>>
>>
>