Map some other function to the insert key

Molot molotster at gmail.com
Wed Apr 20 16:09:35 CDT 2005


On a desktop computer, simplier and less iritating idea is to plug
keyboard without insert key. They are easy to find, and aren't more
expensive.

So meritorical discussion can (should imo) shrink only to laptops.

On 4/20/05, Molot <molotster at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I agree in principle, except for the problem of the accidental press.
> > This is particularly a problem on laptops. Indeed, just this morning I
> > went for the delete key and pressed the insert key without knowing it. I
> > got a word or two in before I realized what the problem was.
> Ok, I don't have laptop so I can't know is it so easy to accidentally
> press additional button. All I know now many laptop producents say sth
> like "new keyboard design, easier to type, harder to accidentally
> press a key..." - but I wasn't able to test it too ;)
>
> About the father example:
> He (propably) did it once. And it was "corrected" easily. But coders
> need this button very ofthen. Aslo, now insert is the simpliest way to
> get to the insert mode in vim, and (AFAIK) the only way in at least
> one editor. Now imagine administrator that cannot edit config with his
> editor - possible, isn't it? And it would be frustrating - installing
> another editor just to correct apt-get config :P
>
> About single accidents: My mom once accidentally pressed middle button
> on link she didn't wanted. She was surprised. So maybe it should be
> disabled it too? It isn't actually needed in KDE or gnome...
>
> > > Aslo... if insert and replace aren't oposite as they are both writing
> > > modes, then lowercase and uppercase aren't oposite as... hmm... they
> > > are both writing modes, aren't they?
> >
> > Most users tend to be very bad at understanding modes of operation. It's
> > very confusing when doing the same action in (essentially) the same
> > context does a completely different thing.
> Button that makes the same action to be done the same way wouldn't
> make sence at all, would it? ;-)
>
> On 4/20/05, Michael R Head <burner at suppressingfire.org> wrote:
> > On Wed, 2005-04-20 at 18:56 +0200, Molot wrote:
> >
> > First of all, let me point out that I don't think Ubuntu's job is to
> > fiddle with people's keyboards, so I'm really playing devil's advocate
> > here...
> >
> > > About overvrite-mode... It's a basic of electronic use - don't press
> > > the button until you know what it will do ;)
> > >
> > > If some  newbie is pressing  anything just to check how it works - ok,
> > > let him see how it works! If anyone don't need this key, he don't
> > > press it anyway.
> > > Changing behaviour just to prevent "strange things" to guy who is
> > > pressing keys without care / thinking for me sounds as a bad idea.
> >
> > I agree in principle, except for the problem of the accidental press.
> > This is particularly a problem on laptops. Indeed, just this morning I
> > went for the delete key and pressed the insert key without knowing it. I
> > got a word or two in before I realized what the problem was.
> >
> > And now, for a realworld example of a confused user (in case you think
> > is just idle speculation). I put Ubuntu on my dad's and sister's
> > computers in January. They've both been using computers for many years
> > (several decades for my dad). He complained to me that he couldn't get
> > the computer to type words into the middle of his openoffice documents
> > without destroying the words after where he typed. I had to explain to
> > him about the insert key and how he can see the insert status at the
> > bottom of his openoffice window.
> >
> > >
> > > Aslo... if insert and replace aren't oposite as they are both writing
> > > modes, then lowercase and uppercase aren't oposite as... hmm... they
> > > are both writing modes, aren't they?
> >
> > Most users tend to be very bad at understanding modes of operation. It's
> > very confusing when doing the same action in (essentially) the same
> > context does a completely different thing.
> >
> > Think vi. It's very powerful, and those that master it can do great
> > things, but it takes a long time to learn. Time lots of people aren't
> > willing to put in. In general, users just want to get their work done.
> >
> > mike
> >
> > --
> > Michael R Head <burner at suppressingfire.org>
> > GPG: http://www.suppressingfire.org/~burner/gpg.key.txt (ID 23A02B1F)
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> --------------->
> I like RTFM answers. Just tell me what TFM I should R.
>
> some kind of Molot
> some kind of monster ;)
>
> jid:molot at mruk.net
> alt mailto:molot at mruk.net
> gg:4588787
> --------------->
> --
>

--
--------------->
I like RTFM answers. Just tell me what TFM I should R.

some kind of Molot
some kind of monster ;)

jid:molot at mruk.net
alt mailto:molot at mruk.net
gg:4588787
--------------->
--


-- 
--------------->
I like RTFM answers. Just tell me what TFM I should R.

some kind of Molot
some kind of monster ;)

jid:molot at mruk.net
alt mailto:molot at mruk.net
gg:4588787
--------------->
--



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