Re: Keyboard mapping of Option and Command

[Riccardo Mottola]

Hi Ondrej,

Ondrej Florian wrote:
> On 2024-06-07 18:58:37 +0200 Riccardo Mottola <riccardo.mottola@libero.it> 
> wrote:
>
> I would make the mouse modifiers configurable and be independent of the 
> keyboard modifiers.
> By default they could map to 1:1, I don't mind, but user should be able to 
> change it.

The user is already is able to change it. Default official 
Systempreferenes panel works (proven) and it necessitates only standard 
clicks to use, so no chicken-and-egg problem. Command-line solution 
exists. Alternative panels exists.

However I think we should offer sensible defaults and in any case offer 
an solution to people who do not have the extra key for some reason 
(either physical or not working).

Just yesterday I discovered that even if a system is perfectly 
configured and works with windows key as command, once I connect through 
SSH to it and on the host I run a desktop environment different from 
ours, the key gets "eaten away".
So while some people here like to have it easy, it is really not.

I have removed (hopefully) all workarounds in GWorkspace, I am testing 
it. So try, if you want, this branch:

If that is confirmed, I will work with Fred on some GUI ideas

> A desktop environment can come up with its own default preferences 
> corresponding to whatever
> standard it wants to follow and offer nice GUI to change it (I do that with 
> GSDE).

Exactly.. and one can remap it or even rename it.

> As for the Meta / Super / etc. discussion.
> I agree with Riccardo => World is not only about Mac and Windows anymore (well, 
> it has never been, really ;-).
> As long as you can map and configure the modifier in any way you want to, I 
> don't see an issue.

Beyond mapping, I am thinking of adding to SystemPreferences a plist so 
that one can remap names. So if a GNUstep package is made e.g. on a 
specific linux distribution or a "known environment" it can be just 
"renamed" so the user sees "Windows key" instead of Hyper or Meta. That 
Plist could be packaged or generated later and allow flexibility. E.g. 
Raspbian could rename the key "Raspberry key" :) Not totally easy, 
because e.g. Debian has many architectures and they are usually 
processor related, syou you have intel vs. ppc, not "Mac" vs "PC".
Maybe on X11 the keyboard can be read? e.g knowing if it is a 101 or 104 
keyboard can at least say if the key is available.
No information of course if some desktop evnironment above "chews it". 
Quite complicated.

It is just painting the wall white, the real issue needs to be tackled.

Riccardo