Ug I wish I knew how to disable that shift key 'feature'.

Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Accessibility Options --> Settings (Under "StickyKeys") --> Uncheck the box for "use shortcut"

Then go to Settings (Under Filter Keys) and do the same thing.

Alternatively, press shift 5 times until it pops up and hit settings.

There's a checkbox to disable the feature, and clicking it is like talking to a fucking brick wall, it never disables and keeps coming up.

Hmm... seems to work on mine. Maybe there's a registry setting you could change.


_______________________________
Dig six feet, find three bodies. But dig twelve feet, you find forty.
This comment was edited on May 13, 06:28.

Win-E - explorer
Win-Break (aka Pause) - System Properties
Win-L - lock screen (or go to quick switch screen, depending on how things are setup)
Win-D or Win-M - minimize everything (Win-Shift-M undos)
Win-R - Brings up the Run... dialog

I LUURRRVVVV the Windows Key. Seriously, I hit that mophukka at least 200 times a day. Win R, Win L, Win E, shit, I use one of these at least once every five minutes.

I've also rarely hit it during a game, but I would say that the key probably would work better if it was, say, next to the PrtScrn key or something.

Creston

Also, why is it that no one seems to know what "alt gr" is?

Erm, because it's not on US keyboards?

...who actually uses and appreciates the Windows keys on their keyboard?

I find it invaluable for opening Explorer and locking the computer, and strangely I have never hit it accidentally despite always using ctrl for something. Stickykeys doesn't bother me either, and it is easy to disable (it's under accessibility, or just smash your shift key until the prompt comes up). However, there don't need to be 2 Win keys, and there certainly doesn't need to be an 'application' key next to the right hand one (you know, that one you've never ever ever pressed). What pisses me off more though is laptop keyboards shoving some function key in the mix and making me miss ctrl all the time. Also, why is it that no one seems to know what "alt gr" is?

There, I think I've covered every gripe I have with keyboards. Oh, wait, they also smell after a while, but that might just be me.

This comment was edited on May 12, 19:27.

Ug I wish I knew how to disable that shift key 'feature'.

Does anyone here know anyone (anyone - especially someone who's a 'gamer') who actually uses and appreciates the Windows keys on their keyboard?

I popped the windows key out of the keyboard on my gaming machine because I was hitting it so much.

Now what annoys me most is that feature that turns on accessability options when you hold the shift key for so many seconds. I use shift as a crouch modifier in most FPS games so when I'm trying to stay out of sight this dialog box comes up and completely nukes my game. There's a checkbox to disable the feature, and clicking it is like talking to a fucking brick wall, it never disables and keeps coming up. Doesn't happen too often but when it does its VERY annoyong. Ruins a good game of UT2k4.

3 keys, Only $120! Whoo!

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that 104 keys will not be ~30x more expensive, but I'm not gonna hold my breath either way...

They have a 3-button version that's supposed to be out in a month-ish. You can preorder now for only $120.

<nin stifles laughter>

I've seen the page before, but it's the way Z worded it. 3 keys, Only $120! Whoo!

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GW: Nilaar Madalla, lvl 20 R/Mo / Tolyl Nor, lvl 20 E/Mo / Xylos Gath, lvl 16 W/Mo

http://www.flaminglips.com

What ever happened to that awesome keyboard where every key was an LED display?

That's the Optimus keyboard, and it's still planned. Allegedly.

They have a 3-button version that's supposed to be out in a month-ish. You can preorder now for only $120.

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus-mini/

Does anyone here know anyone (anyone - especially someone who's a 'gamer') who actually uses and appreciates the Windows keys on their keyboard?

Yup.

Me.

Smack them for me if you do, please.

I decline to smack myself, thanks.

Why? Well, I can count the number of times I've hit the Windows key in a game by accident on one hand. With several fingers to spare.

There's several useful shortcuts in XP that use the Windows key:

Win-E - explorer
Win-Break (aka Pause) - System Properties
Win-L - lock screen (or go to quick switch screen, depending on how things are setup)
Win-D or Win-M - minimize everything (Win-Shift-M undos)
Win-R - Brings up the Run... dialog

A few apps that can use it as well. VirtuaWin, a virtual desktop manager lets you use it for switching between desktops. You can configure it for other keystrokes, but these are by far the easiest.

The Quickswitch PowerToy, Win-Q lets you switch between users quickly (if you have fast user switching enabled).

Now the other key that MS added -- the "context" key that's only on the right side of the space bar.... that one I find useless. I've tried using it before to help semi-repetitive tasks, but even then it wasn't of much use.

The Win key could be a lot better if MS would let you bind program shortcuts to it, but for some silly reason you can't. If you try it gets changed to Ctrl-Alt-key.

What ever happened to that awesome keyboard where every key was an LED display?

Tempting, isn't it? I'd never get one for home but it would actually come in handy at work when I have to type stuff in different alphabets.

I HATE the Windows key. And what's even worse is there are TWO of them. One on each side. That's especially moronic.

But I have used it when something bad happens to my computer. Like if my mouse freezes for some reason or if the screen blanks out. I then use the Windows key to shut down my PC. But I'd rather it wasn't there at all. I think it's especially bad for gamers.

My current keyboard has all these worthless buttons above the F keys. Like "Mail" (Microsoft mail, natch), Forward, Backward, Home ... some other worthless crap. For web browsing I assume.

But at least they don't get in the way like the Windows key.

This comment was edited on May 12, 15:04.

What ever happened to that awesome keyboard where every key was an LED display?

_______________________________
Dig six feet, find three bodies. But dig twelve feet, you find forty.

Does anyone here know anyone (anyone - especially someone who's a 'gamer') who actually uses and appreciates the Windows keys on their keyboard?

Anyone?

Smack them for me if you do, please.


Also, here's a really great way to disable them that doesn't require the use of hammers or cyanoacrylates:

http://johnhaller.com/jh/useful_stuff/disable_windows_key/

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It may be that one day a young man will adore a Pinata.

I've been looking for a new keyboard. I want something programmable, macros are nice but I just want to be able to map one or multiple keys to a different key. This is for games that only allow you to map one key to a function (e.g., Oblivion, NOLF). It has to be wireless and it should have profiles so I can quickly switch to a gaming configuration then back to something regular when I'm done. I have a wireless mouse that came with the keyboard as part of a package. Would I have to get a new mouse too?

Any suggestions? I don't want the Razer cause they rearranged some keys, like you guys all said.

I'll stick with my G15, it's perfect.

Still havent gotten around to getting a razer copperhead yet...tis a pricey beast but oh so shiney.

As for this keyboard, if you dont have enough keys on a standard board you're doing something wrong

Yeah, I definitely agree about the placement of those keys. I don't know what genius originally came up with the idea of rearranging them, but they shoudl be drug out in the street and shot. I've got a Zboard right now that I don't mind, but am thinking of going to the G15. It's unfortunate Razer made that choice with this keyboard as I have one of their mice and they're fantastic. I would have seriously considered their keyboard based on product quality alone if it wasn't for this design choice.

Parallax Abstraction
Ottawa, Canada
GO SENS GO!
GO HABS GO!

I'm with you guys. I use a lot of different keyboards in the course of a day and those things drive me bonkers. =)

I agree Blue. I use the "6-pack" above the arrow keys for all my keymaps too. This keyboard would be worthless to me, for both gaming and productivity.