[Sugar-devel] [DESIGN] Super key as frame key

[James Cameron]

On Thu, Oct 08, 2015 at 09:17:35AM +1100, Sam P. wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> Sugar makes no use of the super key for any short cuts.  [...]

Sugar uses it as a modifier in accelerators, see
sugar-toolkit-gtk3:src/sugar3/eggaccelerators.c

Sugar does not reference the modifier.

No activities use the modifier.

Some applications can use the modifier, such as Emacs.

> This makes sense in the context of the XO, because of the lack of
> the key.  However, on normal computers with SoaS, the super key is
> often in a more convenient spot than the function keys, epically on
> computers than require the Fn modifier.

You mean they require the Fn modifier to strike F6 otherwise it uses a
local function?  Rings a bell, MacBooks for a start, right?

> In my opinion, the frame is a very important short cut in sugar. 
> Pressing the super key would be eaiser than F6, or moving the mouse
> sometimes.  Maybe the super key could trigger the frame.  This would
> be similar to GNOME, where the super key opens the overview.
> 
> Should the super key be mapped to the frame or something else?

Sounds like a solution looking for a problem.

I don't think the Frame is that important to deserve two shortcuts;
most actions can be completed without it, the rendering time is quite
high, and you can't even use it to start activities the way the Unity
and Gnome desktops can start apps or do searches.

Correctly mapped keyboards generate the Super_L keysym, but there's
also a Super_R keysym in some maps.

There's also a Menu keysym on some commodity machines, between ALT and
CTRL on the right-hand side.

A trouble with having two shortcuts for the frame is that people
will waste time looking for a key that isn't there.

Removing the key from general use prevents it from being used by
activities in future.

-- 
James Cameron
http://quozl.linux.org.au/