I was just reading this thread… https://sh.itjust.works/post/23476261

…and it got me thinking about something that I’ve wanted for a long time. Why is it that keyboards have not evolved to have dedicated copy/paste keys left of the main board? I’d love to see an additional column of keys left of Esc->Ctrl configurable as macros at least. I do a lot of copy/paste for work. The current shortcuts arent terrible or anything but they’re not exactly comfortable. I’d rather move my whole hand to the left for a macro key than contort to hit the current shortcut.

What do you think?

  • stoy@lemmy.zip
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    1 year ago

    Meh, Ctrl+C Ctrl+V works well.

    What I really would like is a Compose key.

    The concept is brilliant, you use it with a special key combination to “draw” a special character or symbol.

    If you wanted to type a copyright symbol you would hold the Compose key and press O and C in order, then release the compose key.

    Here is a list of a few characters with their compose key combinations, every combo is pressed in order while holding the compose key.

    To get the letter Ä use " and A

    To get the letter Å use o and A

    To get the letter Ö use " and O

    To get the letter Æ use A and E

    To get the symbol ¿ use ? and ?

    To get the symbol ¡ use ! and !

    To get the symbol ® use O and R

    To get the symbol ™ use T and M

    To get the symbol € use C and =

    To get the symbol £ use L and -

    There are plenty more combinations…

    I have never used a computer with a compose key, but I love the concept of drawing other characters like this.

    • Sneezycat@sopuli.xyz
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      1 year ago

      Other than already working like that for accents in spanish keyboards, what is with the euro combination??? C + =?? What kind of unhinged British person are you, not to think it would be like the pound, E + - ??

    • GlenRambo@jlai.lu
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      1 year ago

      Most people would use dedicated single copy/paste buttons more than page-up/down or home/end.

      • Wrufieotnak@feddit.org
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        1 year ago

        No and yes. If the copy and paste buttons would be at the position of page-up/down, I think many people would still use Ctrl+C because it is quickerto reach.

        If the keys would be at easily reachable positions, then sure.

      • Mediocre_Bard@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I 100% agree with what you are saying. Not to be contrary, but just because it amuses me, I use page up/down and home/end all the time. You’re still right.

      • AnokLola@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Yes, it’s weird, but maybe he does a lot. For example, I use the superkey+space to change the keyboard layout about five times per minute, but I changed it to use the Caps Lock key to change the keyboard layout instead.

  • BorgDrone@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

    Why is it that keyboards have not evolved to have dedicated copy/paste keys left of the main board?

    You mean like on a Sun type 4 keyboard, they had this since the early 90’s at least.

    If you want this, you can try to find a Sun type 7 keyboard which has a USB connector. You should be able to get it to work on Windows with a bit of remapping of the extra keys.

  • wiccan2@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Have you tried the shortcuts for the other side of the keyboard

    Ctrl + insert = copy

    Shift + insert = paste

    Shift + delete = cut

    I find them much easier to use than the traditional shortcuts.

  • kava@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I disagree. [Modifier] + C & [mod] + V works just as good as a dedicated button and you are using the space more efficiently by having multiple uses for one key.

    Keyboard already has a lot of buttons. We should be considering which to remove, not any additions

    • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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      1 year ago

      I don’t think we need to remove anything. I mean if you really want a smaller keyboard that badly you could get one of the ones that removes the number pad.

      But as someone who was a cashier long ago before GS1 codes on produce, we got fast at 10-key typing by touch. The thought of doing a spreadsheet or extended number-work without the number pad is unthinkable to me…