Re: [Usability] Using Control-Esc and Windows keys to access the start menu

[Lennart Borgman <lennart borgman 073 student lu se>]

Alan Horkan wrote:
> Ubuntu does make some customisations beyond stock Gnome so do keep that in
> mind.  I am very displeased at how they removed the Run Dialog (they hid
> it away making it totally undiscoverable but if you are lucky enough to
> arleady know Alt+F2 it is still available).
>   
Did you talk to them about that? What reactions did you get?

> In ubuntu if you go to System, Preferences, Keyboard shortcuts you can
> reassign the shortcut for the Application menu to be Ctrl+Escape or the
> the Super key (aka Windows Key).  I was not able to add the menu menu
> applet and assign the keybinding to it instead.
>
> There are all kinds of things we could do the same and I personally prefer
> it when developers embrace and extend and can confidently say they are
> doing "the same or better, not just different".
>   
I think I agree. Is there something like a command file or small 
programs that can automatically make MS Windows like settings for you 
for more easy migration and which lessens the difficulties with using 
both Gnome and MS Windows?

> Things are going to be different, and some have argued that trying too
> hard to copy windows only makes the differences more painfully obvious.
>   
I have seen such argumentation but I do not believe that could be 
applied to simple cases like this. Beeing able to use Ctrl-Esc or the 
windows keys to access the start menu is nearly as basic as beeing able 
to use the mouse to do it. I have not seen anyone argueing that very 
basic mouse operations should be different.

> Sometimes it is better for Gnome to be interntally consistent and
> predictable within itself rather than copying.  However if enough people
> wanted to we could probably have it both ways and make it easier to do
> what you want.
>   
Yes, I can see the problem. However if we want people to move to 
GNU/Linux with Gnome I believe we must go into that pain. Staying out of 
it may mean stagnation.

>   
> > Well, and that the dual boot that came with Ubuntu trashed my MS Windows
> > partition.
> >     
>
> Backups are the only answer, depending on your circumstances either Ubuntu
> or Windows could have been the problem.  I also had to learn the hard way
> how easy it is to shoot onself in the foot with partition tools and more.
>   
Fortunately I did it on a freshely installed MS Windows pc. I just hate 
wasting time installing things. It should just work.

> I would strongly advise you to try out VMWare Player, by far the safest
> way I can think of to try distribtions like Ubuntu.
>   
Thanks, I did not know it was free now.

> Sincerely
>
> Alan Horkan
>   
Thanks for your nice answer.