Author Topic: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?  (Read 4499 times)

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Offline Karura

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What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 18:56:55 »
Just curious, since it doesn't work as a function key, and is a shorter profile key, what are people using it for, and does CODE symbolize anything specific?


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Offline smknjoe

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 19:05:28 »
What are you talking about? Pic please.
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Offline strict

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 19:09:50 »
I think for many people the appeal is mostly novelty/irony.

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Offline smknjoe

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 19:15:46 »
Oh yeah, that key cap. The way the question was worded it sounded like an extra key on a CODE keyboard. Sure, it's a novelty cap. Just like any other novelty cap.
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Offline Lu_e

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 19:46:03 »
Sure, it's a novelty cap. Just like any other novelty cap.

I (like the OP) am betting it had an actual purpose on retro setups. However I do not know what function the key represents.

Offline noisyturtle

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 20:11:10 »
You don't hit a single button to code a function?

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Offline domoaligato

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 20:15:41 »
Code key will be B profile, bottom row. Oddly enough the C key is in the same row... C is for CODE.


quoted from :
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50591.msg1166712#msg1166712

Offline eyesmiles

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 14 August 2014, 20:22:46 »
I think the easiest way to put it would be CODE is equivalent to a Fn layer for typewriters. Certain electic typewriters had GMK double shots that included a 1x R1 CODE key in colorways like White on Green and White on Blue. Ivan's GB that included the Code key was somewhat of an ode to those CODE keycaps as they are fairly uncommon and often sought after. For your usual keyboard purposes, it's more of a novelty cap unless you use it in place of a 1x Fn for let's say ANSI 150 type layout or swapping out the ` next to a 1.75x Shift key on a Pure layout and so forth.

Offline IvanIvanovich

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 15 August 2014, 08:30:03 »
Right, Code was from typewriters originally. It had similar functionality to Alt Gr on modern computer keyboard. It was just something for fun really, but does make good Fn or Windows replacement if you have 1 unit of those keys on your board.
« Last Edit: Fri, 15 August 2014, 08:33:34 by IvanIvanovich »

Offline Karura

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 16 August 2014, 08:50:45 »
Thanks for the replies, learned a lot :D.

So got any good pictures of people with it on their keyboard?

I got a typical ANSI tenkeyless, so I don't think it would look so good on mine, even with Dolch keycaps.

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Offline codyeatworld

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 16 August 2014, 08:56:12 »
I love my CODE key. I still need the green one though!





Offline bueller

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 16 August 2014, 09:10:35 »
I love my CODE key. I still need the green one though!

Show Image

So jealous! I've got the repro from the recent GB but I really want the green and blue as well.
It's a good width!  If it's half-width it's too narrow, and full-width is too wide. 

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Offline IvanIvanovich

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 16 August 2014, 11:58:05 »
I'll probably do some more again in various color next mini packs buy. Legend will be same though 'Code' unless people want A profile since that is the only one GMK have left in 'CODE'.

Offline bueller

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 16 August 2014, 12:00:27 »
I'll probably do some more again in various color next mini packs buy. Legend will be same though 'Code' unless people want A profile since that is the only one GMK have left in 'CODE'.
I'm happy with either, you know I'm always down for mini packs.
It's a good width!  If it's half-width it's too narrow, and full-width is too wide. 

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Offline MJ45

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 16 August 2014, 17:36:01 »
Right, Code was from typewriters originally. It had similar functionality to Alt Gr on modern computer keyboard. It was just something for fun really, but does make good Fn or Windows replacement if you have 1 unit of those keys on your board.

Like Ivan said the code keys make a excellent win key replacements, they are a perfect match for a Dolch 86 key layout.

Offline SirPony

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Re: What's the purpose/meaning behind the CODE GMK key?
« Reply #15 on: Fri, 29 August 2014, 17:24:51 »
that dolch set is looking good :)