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Fn Ctrl Keys

post #1 of 22
7/18/04 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, I've never owned a laptop before, I just ordered my first on friday. I keep seeing people talk about the placement of the Fn and Ctrl keys. Which way is the bad way and which is the good way? I'd imagine that Ctrl on the outside is more normal, but I guess it depends on how far away it is from the other keys. Which way does the CL56 have them set up? Thanks.
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post #2 of 22
7/18/04 at 3:27pm
CL56 has the standard, ctrl key in the corner.
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post #3 of 22
7/18/04 at 3:57pm
Seems like more computers have the function key in the corner which takes some getting used to. I much prefer the crtl key in the corner, it's much more natural.
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post #4 of 22
7/18/04 at 4:35pm
why do they do this? is there actually a valid reason?
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post #5 of 22
7/18/04 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
because they like toying with us?
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post #6 of 22
7/18/04 at 5:22pm
Look at your standard desktop keyboard.

The left Ctrl key is under the Shift and aligned with its right edge.

That's how my M6Ne has it.

So technically, that is the correct position -- Fn, Ctrl, Win, then Alt.

You're just used to the Ctrl key being the first one on the left.
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post #7 of 22
7/18/04 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
actually most keyboards i've seen have the ctrl key aligned with the left edge, the shift key tends to be longer
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post #8 of 22
7/18/04 at 5:44pm
Ah, maybe you're right. My old IBM keyboard has the Ctrl key aligned with the left edge of the Shift key.

Guess I'm just used to this MS natural keyboard now
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post #9 of 22
7/18/04 at 9:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by awingedpig
Look at your standard desktop keyboard.

The left Ctrl key is under the Shift and aligned with its right edge.

That's how my M6Ne has it.

So technically, that is the correct position -- Fn, Ctrl, Win, then Alt.

You're just used to the Ctrl key being the first one on the left.
Actually, I would think the correct position is the one that makes the most functional sense.
Anyone who types alot ( data entry, Word processing, programming) should be making extensive use of the control and shift keys, often requireing that both are pressed at the same time.

Now, place your Ring finger of your left hand on the Left shift key.
In this position - which is the common finger that should be using the shift key - the pinky/little finger falls naturally on top of where the ctrl key is/should be.
The notebook keyboards that place the Fn key there, require the typist to contort the hand unaturally to select the ctrl key ( in its new position ) where it is inline with the ring finger, and there by hard to access with the pinky.


look at your fingers on your left hand, and
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post #10 of 22
7/18/04 at 9:48pm
Thread Starter 
Speaking of which, Sparc keyboards have the control key where the caps-lock key is and I believe caps-lock where left control is, they're very hard to get used to but like you say, they were designed heavily on functional sense, and since you use the ctrl key in *nix systems, they put it on the home row....just thought i throw that useless tidbit of info out for ya
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post #11 of 22
7/18/04 at 9:51pm
Sun keyboards are a pain to get used to. I had to get used to one at work.

Took me forever and then the cut and paste keys vary too (have to use alt or the specific buttons).

Super
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post #12 of 22
7/18/04 at 9:59pm
That's why I can't stand Macs, I'm so used to Windows keyboard commands, and Mac's are all different and messed up in my opinion.
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post #13 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:04pm
no he's talking about sparc.. from sun... uhh know what you'er talking about? cuz some of those powebooks are nice
sorry but i hate sun cuz their ceo is a joke but i like mac they know when to capitalize on stuff liek hte ipod

fyi the mac has the normal paste and copy its just the apple key instead of the ctrl key.. whereas sun is jsut weird
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post #14 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:09pm
Quote:
no he's talking about sparc.. from sun... uhh know what you'er talking about? cuz some of those powebooks are nice
sorry but i hate sun cuz their ceo is a joke but i like mac they know when to capitalize on stuff liek hte ipod

fyi the mac has the normal paste and copy its just the apple key instead of the ctrl key..
I know he is talking about Sparc, and then he talked about copy and paste, and I continued that onto Macs. It's not just copy and paste, a bunch of shortcuts on Mac's are different. The powerbooks are Ok, but they really arent GREAT computers.
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post #15 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:14pm
Thread Starter 
each of those machines are all designed specific to their users...sparcs and suns are designed specifically towards *nix which rarely uses a mouse, so you have your hands on the keyboard 99% of the time, so making everything used most often easily accessible from the home row is a plus, mac and pc keyboards are almost identical except mac has that command key and windows has the ctrl (or alt, whichever it is)

as for apple capitalizing on things, they do it a little too much, which i don't like, i will never buy something so widely available as an mp3 player that has a battery that is irreplaceable, smart move from a financial standpoint, but most people aren't going to buy into it, fortunately for apple they got away with it before people found out that it can't be replaced, as for their computers, they have essentially zero customizability or upgradability, which is probably the reason why a very large part of the population doesn't buy them, the rest are because there is a lack of popular software available (or if it is available, it comes several years later)

now suns....i would take a sunblade system for 3d solid modeling over a windows machine any day, but yes, their keyboards are a pain to get used to, especially after using a pc keyboard for about 15 years
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post #16 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:22pm
"most people aren' going to buy into it"

they outsell all other music players 2:1
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post #17 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 
right, because as i said, with the original ipod most people didn't seem to realize that it had to be replaced when the battery died until the battery actually died, now i believe the ipod mini has a user-replaceable battery (i think, otherwise apple is shooting themselves in the foot)...to be honest, i don't really know why people like them, i always say that function comes first, then form, but apple says form over function and they turn out the ipod which has to be replaced when the battery is done (another $300), but hey...it looks nice...and those nice white earbuds are real stylish and the muggers on the nyc subway instantly know you have an expensive ipod
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post #18 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:35pm
uhh i belive second and thrid gen sales are higher than first gen in fact 25% of apple's money is from ipod now

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3895363.stm

btw i don't htink it matters about hte replacement battery its like saying ohh cologne is too expensive at $60 a bottle for a year or two. its a status and feeling good thing:P
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post #19 of 22
7/18/04 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
which is why i reiterate...form over function
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post #20 of 22
7/19/04 at 1:03am
Hold up. I recently bought an iPod 15GB and the batter IS replacable. You can either get a kit to do it or send it in for I believe about $100 and have Apple replace it. This may be only on newer versions I don't know. It's not cheap but it's better than buying a new one. If this info is wrong then I am going to have a little talk with the retailer .
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