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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: erricrice on Tue, 07 July 2009, 22:04:15

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 07 July 2009, 22:04:15

Title pretty much explains it:

Is there any way to get a windows key on a model m(scripts or reprogramming or something)?

I know the customizer has one and theyr'e pretty similar, but I was just wondering if there is a way to do it?

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: Hak Foo on Tue, 07 July 2009, 22:16:27

I know that this USB->PS/2 adaptor can be programmed to map away the right alt in firmware:

http://y-mouse.com/ymouse/whym271.php

Yes, it costs astronomical; I bought mine for $1 from a sale of surplus goods.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 07 July 2009, 22:25:57

lol totally haha.  i don't think i'll really be looking into that option but thanks anyway.  it was worth it just for the diagram of the back of the picture on the front page.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: low-fi on Wed, 08 July 2009, 03:13:53

When I was still using the original Model M, I used SharpKeys to remap Scroll Lock (being probably the most useless key nowadays) as the left Winkey.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: low-fi on Wed, 08 July 2009, 03:21:28

When I was still using the original Model M, I used SharpKeys to remap Scroll Lock (being probably the most useless key nowadays) as the left Winkey.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 08 July 2009, 07:03:50

I also use sharpkeys, except I map Caps lock to the Win key.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: mmgoose on Wed, 08 July 2009, 08:06:19

you can just use a key combination (in windows):

ctrl + esc (start menu)
rshift + f10 (menu/right click button)

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: erricrice on Wed, 08 July 2009, 08:39:21

yes those work, but they do not work for any of the winkey combinations such as win+d for show desktop win+e for my computer win+1, 2 ,3 for quickstart programs etc...

and awesome!  I definitely will be remapping my caps lock!

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: mmgoose on Wed, 08 July 2009, 09:22:10

what you can do is put numbers at the beginning of the names your start menu shortcuts:

for instance: (win2000)

1 ms word
2 windows explorer
3 internet explorer
4 mozilla firefox
_______________
programs
documents
settings
search
help
run

say you want firefox: ctrl + esc then 4

or just press ctrl + esc then the first letter of the shortcut and then press enter (if you don't like seeing numbers)

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 08 July 2009, 09:55:44

Quote from: mmgoose;101716

what you can do is put numbers at the beginning of the names your start menu shortcuts

Better still, make a directory where you will create shortcuts.
Mine is like C:\Documents and Settings\Ray\shortcuts

Create a personal PATH environment variable pointing to that directory.
System Properties, Advanced, Environment Variables, New User variable named Path, Value= %homedrive%%homepath%\shortcuts
or name the directory explicitly.

Copy useful shortcuts into that directory - copy don't move! Rename them to something short. I use 1 or 2 letter names. E.g. I use FF for Firefox.

To run something, do Windows-R (or Ctrl-Esc then R) then type the short name in the Run dialogue.

I made a shortcut called S that takes me straight to the shortcuts directory, making it easy to add new ones.



But in any case remap the Scroll Lock to work as a Windows key. I do this for whenever I use a Windowsless keyboard. There really isn't a downside that I can see.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: talis on Wed, 08 July 2009, 10:05:15

There's two ways to do it in autohotkeys:

The first is just a hard remap of a key:

Code: [Select]

RAlt::RWin
Would remap the right alt to Win.

The other way to do it is it define each of the shortcuts you use regularly, that leaves the key you're re-defining acting normally for everything else:

>!e::Send {RWin Down}{e}{RWin Up}
Would remap right Alt + e -> Windows key + e, but leave right alt working as normal for any other key combo.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: bitflipper on Wed, 08 July 2009, 10:31:24

This works in Vista and Win7:

win + 1      run 1st item in taskbar
win + 2      run 2nd item in taskbar
win + 3      run 3rd item in taskbar
win + 4      run 4th item in taskbar
win + 5      run 5th item in taskbar
win + 6      run 6th item in taskbar
win + 7      run 7th item in taskbar
win + 8      run 8th item in taskbar
win + 9      run 9th item in taskbar
win + 0      run 10th item in taskbar

Just pin your faves to the taskbar and you're set!

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: sixty on Wed, 08 July 2009, 15:04:30

Quote from: ch_123;101696

I also use sharpkeys, except I map Caps lock to the Win key.

Same here. I also use Caps lock for the Windows key. Got used to it pretty quick.

Scroll lock seems too far away for me to use with the Windows key shortcuts.. besides that I also use scroll lock as "push to talk" key when online gaming.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: erricrice on Wed, 08 July 2009, 18:05:29

yeah wow, it really feels a lot better than having the windows key where it normally is.  much less strain on the hand to do the keyboard shortcuts.

Title: Model M windows key?
Post by: IBI on Thu, 09 July 2009, 18:05:38

Quote from: bitflipper;101736

This works in Vista and Win7:

win + 1      run 1st item in taskbar
win + 2      run 2nd item in taskbar
win + 3      run 3rd item in taskbar
win + 4      run 4th item in taskbar
win + 5      run 5th item in taskbar
win + 6      run 6th item in taskbar
win + 7      run 7th item in taskbar
win + 8      run 8th item in taskbar
win + 9      run 9th item in taskbar
win + 0      run 10th item in taskbar

Just pin your faves to the taskbar and you're set!

It appears to be the quick launch bar rather than the task bar, but still a very useful shortcut I didn't know about.