this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2024
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This is the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard of. I'm not buying any keyboard or laptop that has this key. There's enough Linux-first vendors these days that it's easy to avoid (Framework, System76, Tuxedo, etc). It's time to be done with Lenovo and Dell.
Which is exactly what people said about the Windows key.
Now it's all but impossible to buy a keyboard that doesn't have it. Worse, most of us use it without thinking.
Sure you can call it Super if you like, and even have a Tux key-cap on it, but there used to be a literal gap between the Alt keys and their Ctrl brethren in the lateral directions away from the space bar, and those days are long gone.
There'll be the niche users who stick with old keyboards without this new key, just like there are the die-hards who have stuck resolutely to the old IBM keyboards and the like from pre-1995, but if you want a new keyboard?
Gonna have to shell out a small fortune for a custom build or make do with that dumb new key.
(Shoutout to the Context Menu key which went as unmentioned in the above as it goes unused in day to day use, despite having been included with its Super cousin since day one.)
I don't think this is true. Just buy a laptop from a company that ships it with Linux. No Windows, no Windows keys. It doesn't have to be 'custom'.
The post mentioned this, and argues that a super a key is basically just a windows key
So what key are they gonna put there when all cheap generic Chinese keyboard makers start including this button on all their variants of keyboards?
The context menu or right-ctrl key, probably
The article actually says the Copilot key will mostly be replacing Menu or Right Control on existing layouts. So if you're already not using those (or are already re-binding them), it's just a new keycap.
Plus the configuration that is needed to remap the key back to the correct key code.
As you said, there used to be a gap there. Replacing a gap makes not that much harm and people find it useful even in Linux for keybindings. In more of an Alt kind of guy, but Super is also there for more combinations available.
The Copilot key appears to be going were the right Control or right Alt key are right now, so that's going to be a bother for a lot of people.
The video made it look like this was the context menu key. This may just be a key cap change for WHQL certification of keyboards.
My keyboard has a Linux key. And I happily use it.
The context menu key is more useful when it's remapped to the compose key.
Hey! I used the context menu key today... Just to see what it does and ask why?
I fully agree with you, but Framework is definitely not Linux-first. The only OS they offer preloaded on their laptops is Windows. You have to install Linux yourself if you want it.
I think they’re referring to Framework’s support for full Linux compatibility for at least Ubuntu, and making sure that the parts they use have first class Linux support and drivers and kernel integration.
Same, I think I might give the System76 Darter a try when I eventually have to replace my Xps 9370. It's bad enough that my computer comes with a windows logo on the super-key and often windows preinstalled. Shipping with a non-ANSI/ISO layout is a no-buy for me.
Unfortunately, the "linux-first" vendors do not offer better deals than their competition.
They absolutely do, when one considers the negative value of Windows.
Like with the Windows key, this won't be an option.
Ah yes, just like you had that option with the windows key right?
I don't care as long as the placement is ok and I can map it to something useful. I'm a GNOME user so the Windows/Super key gets a lot of use. It's nice to have. A new key that I use for all my custom shortcuts would actually be kind of nice. Who cares that the default key caps are a Windows icon and this Copilot thing? Change the key caps and they are just keys.