POLL: Do you use that stupid windows start menu key? How about the equally useless menu select key?

[FelixDeCat]

Ive been using keyboards a lot longer than that useless start menu key has been around, and now you cant buy a keyboard without one. Just press ctrl-alt-esc duh!

I demand that keyboard makers make non windows keyboards NOW !!

 

[LoneWolf1]

For us lazy people, it's easier to hit one key instead of three.😱

 

[b0mbrman]

I use both of those keys...

 

[notfred]

never used either of them.

 

[Skel]

I use them for other keyboard shortcuts...

 

[Ameesh]

alt-tab works too

 

[Ameesh]

i use windows key - L to lock my box.

 

[Electric Amish]

Windows + e gets me a Windows Explorer window. That's about all I use them for.

amish

 

[Haircut]

I use Winkey so I use the Windows key quite a bit.

 

[Spamela]

who needs that stuff when you can type into a console window:

start "IE" c:\"program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe" http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.cfm?catid=38

 

[Frosty3799]

<< For us lazy people, it's easier to hit one key instead of three.😱 >>

 

[ScottyB]

I hide my toolbar so I use it religiously to get to the start menu.

 

[XZeroII]

I use them all the time. Maybe you should learn to use your computer better 😉

 

[jhu]

there should linux keys. i don't use windows

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Windows key: all the time (ie Win+D, Win+Pause/Break, etc).
Menu select key: never in my life.

 

[Netopia]

<< Just press ctrl-alt-esc duh! >>

I think perhaps you should be saying "DUH" to yourself!

Win+D = Desktop
Win+M = Minimize Minimizable Windows
Win+F = Fine/Search
Win+L = Lock Desktop (XP Only)
Win+E = Windows Explorer
Win+R = Run Command
Win+U = Ulitlity Manager (W2K and beyond)
Win+Pause/Break = System Properties

DUH! I find the WinKey to be a big time saver for people who know their way around the keyboard.

Joe

 

[dullard]

<< DUH! I find the WinKey to be a big time saver for people who know their way around the keyboard. >>



Win + many games = loss of life as the stupid OS swiches from your game back to the Windows desktop everytime your hand accidentally brushes past it. I wouldn't mind the key if it was moved away from the commonly used keys in many games (such as by the Print Screen key).

 

[yakko]

I use it everyday for keyboard shortcuts.

 

[ggavinmoss]

<< I use it everyday for keyboard shortcuts. >>



Word.

They really are more useful for keyboard people (people who are faster when they don't have to move a hand to grab the mouse), although I can sympathize with the gamers' complaints about the inconvenient key positions.

-geoff

 

[Mucman]

The menu opener is a godsend when working with a crashed NT4 or win2k machine which did not have the mouse attached when it booted... Although I use the the keypad as a mouse when I am really stumped.

 

[Hammer]

<< i use windows key - L to lock my box. >>

 

[FelixDeCat]

>DUH! I find the WinKey to be a big time saver for people who know their way around the keyboard.
>Joe

Thanks Joe. I learn something new everyday, especially @ ANANDTECH !

But will I give up my non windows keyboard? NEVA !

I too am a gamer and that silly windows key is a killer when it comes to shoot-em-ups like duke and blood.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

use it all the time, mainly for the win+f, win+l, win+m and win+d. I don't use the other options as much...didn't even know what the utility manager was...

 

[TheVrolok]

I use it ALL THE TIME. Keyboard shortcuts are our friends. Tell me you still use your mouse for everything? 😛 Keyboard shortcuts are soooo much quicker.

 

[Thegonagle]

Start key: Ocasionally. Start key, then R is a nice one.

Menu key: Often, when I'm organizing or renaming multiple files.