Re: keyboard politics [Was: Key bindings proposal]

[Bernardo Barros <bernardobarros2@gmail.com>]

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 <u.s.reddy@cs.bham.ac.uk>:
> 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
>
>
>