Re: Tab as completion shortcut

[Christian Rose <menthos menthos com>]

Chris LeDantec wrote:
> configurability is a blessing, but some effort needs to be put into coming
> up with sensible defaults since there is a potentially large user base who
> will never do any serious tweaking of key bindings.

If what I said wasn't clear enough, yes, that's exactly my opinion. I
agree fully.


> some logical schema should be applied to the mapping of keys (ie, f-keys
> perform some action and shift+f-key performs the opposite) that way it the
> default behavior of gnome is consistent and predictable as a minimum.

As long as the *default* mapping of keys don't interfere with years of
conventions from other GUIs like MacOS or Windows, yes.

Adopting keymapping conventions from other programs like emacs or vi or
whatever for the *default* is IMHO not a good default in most cases:
* They are often application-specific, and thus not a "standard" per se
* Since they are tied to specific apps, only users of that app are used
to those conventions, not generations of desktop users.

Notice that I said "default"? I hope that means that no one will jump on
me and complain about me ignoring emacs or vi users. Yes, emacs
shortcuts are a great idea, but should only be provided as a shortcut
"theme" for those who are skilled enough to find and change that
setting, it should not be the default, IMHO.

I'm an emacs user myself, but as long as GNOME doesn't have shortcut key
configurability I can live without emacs keys in the GNOME dialogs in
the meantime.


> there will always be scenarios across user types, localizations, available
> hardware that prevent the perfect design -as long as the shortcuts are
> available on all keyboards (even if some sequences require some finger
> tango) then we've had a big win. the customization aspect will smooth over
> any wrinkles and set the stage for more directed design in the future when
> someone decides to revamp the bindings for keyboards designed around people
> who type with their big toes on windy days during lunar eclipses. :-)

:-)

I agree with most of what you say, but I think that default keyboard
shortcuts should make sense on most "western" keyboard layouts. No
offense to users of other keyboard layouts, but if you only have access
to latin characters via some keyboard modifier mode, keyboard shortcuts
will most certainly have to be redefined in the preferences anyway.


Christian



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Christian Rose
http://www.menthos.com                    	    menthos@menthos.com
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