Hi Harry
On Thu, 31 Jan 2002, Harry Chesley wrote:
I recall a discussion on the list a while ago about allowing Windows users to use control- rather than alt-. I don't recall whether there was any final resolution (i.e., code) posted. I looked in the Squeak Fixes archives, but didn't see it.
I recall as well that somebody sent a change set to the list, but it is difficult to find even as I have all the mails on the harddisk. The problem of comming up with the correct search key ...
At the time, I thought I'd wait and hope it makes it into the official image, but as my Squeak usage approaches 50% of my time on the computer, I find my muscle memory is approaching a state of maximal confusion...
I'd be quite happy with something that swapped control- and alt-, or with something allowed the core commands (x, c, v, z, s, l) to be used with either control- or alt-.
To avoid unnecessary traffic on the list, perhaps it would be best to reply directly to me on this. I'll post a summary answer to the list.
The list isn't at all a good medium for documenting things. A better medium is the Swiki. You are probably aware of
FAQ: Keyboard shortcuts and bindings http://minnow.cc.gatech.edu/squeak/1844
and
FAQ: Modifier Keys http://minnow.cc.gatech.edu/squeak/898
The first page tells you which method to change for doing your own keyboard mapping. Anyhow it does not give a link to a change set.
I suggest that we do a link from these two pages after the change set for the command keys has been refound or redone.
Having the right command key mappings is important not to put an obstacle for new Squeak users with a Windows PC. It can disappoint people considerably if they are not able to do basic things with ease (copy/paste) when using new software.
I think for Windows users ctrl-y,ctrl-x,ctrl-c and ctrl-v should work in the Windows specific way.
There could be more work on this. For example Aaron J. Reichow asks
I followed the discussion on command keys (for turning on the charRecog), and would like to add a global hotkey to close windows (like Cmd-W on Mac OS or Ctrl-F4/Alt-F4/Ctrl-W/Ctrl-X/Ctrl-E/probably more on Windows). I see that the command key stuff is attached to ParagraphEditor, which makes it very non-global.
How can I go about adding this? Is there any reason that it's not been done already?
The simple answer is probably: There hasn't been yet somebody feeling enough pain to take up responsibility for this and coming up with a solution (which could be just posting documentation on the swiki and some Smalltalk code which can be evaluated either by 'do it' or 'file-in'.
There could even be a kind of editor for keyboard mappings or at least a preferences panel for certain settings.
To sum up: Perhaps the person who did the change set for the Windows key mapping reads this mail and reposts the change set so that we can more properly document it (i.e. making it acessible).
Cheers Hannes Hirzel
P.S. BTW Just curious - you don't need to tell it - what are you using Squeak for 50% of your computer time?