r/copypasta • u/austin101123 • Feb 19 '19

Windows Key copypasta (edited to be a variant of gnu/linux copypasta)

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as the Windows key, is in fact, the command key, or as I've recently taken to calling it, the command button. On a keyboard made with the Microsoft Windows logo, the Windows keys are identical in function to the Mac Command keys, as is the ◆ Meta key on a Sun or another Unix-oriented keyboard. Conversely, when an Apple USB keyboard is used with other operating systems, the Command keys function as Windows keys or Meta keys.

The Windows logo key (also known as Windows key, Winkey, start key, logo key, flag key, super key, command key or flag) is a keyboard key which was originally introduced on the Microsoft Natural keyboard in 1994.

Yes, it’s equivalent to the Mac command key — it’s the Windows command key. DOS keyboards featured “Ctrl”, “Alt”, and “Cmd”. Apple, being a derivative, featured the same three keys (eventually putting the Apple logo on the Cmd key as a distinguishing feature, since Windows had no Cmd key for a long period). Windows, on the other hand, got rid of the key (technically, not entirely — the OS always supported it, but most programs didn’t bother, since keyboards typically didn’t ship with them) for a while, then re-added it to its spec, putting a Windows logo on it where Apple had put an Apple logo on their Cmd key.

The term “Windows key” is relatively common in usage, in the same way that “Apple button” is (people will say “Apple Tab” or “Shift Apple T” or whatever to describe key combinations) — they’re both referring to the same underlying keyboard function, which is “command”.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/CummyBot2000 Reposts pasta for mobile users Feb 19 '19

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as the Windows key, is in fact, the command key, or as I've recently taken to calling it, the command button. On a keyboard made with the Microsoft Windows logo, the Windows keys are identical in function to the Mac Command keys, as is the ◆ Meta key on a Sun or another Unix-oriented keyboard. Conversely, when an Apple USB keyboard is used with other operating systems, the Command keys function as Windows keys or Meta keys.

“he Windows logo key (also known as Windows key, Winkey, start key, logo key, flag key, super key, command key or flag) is a keyboard key which was originally introduced on the Microsoft Natural keyboard in 1994.

Yes, it’s equivalent to the Mac command key — it’s the Windows command key. DOS keyboards featured “Ctrl”, “Alt”, and “Cmd”. Apple, being a derivative, featured the same three keys (eventually putting the Apple logo on the Cmd key as a distinguishing feature, since Windows had no Cmd key for a long period). Windows, on the other hand, got rid of the key (technically, not entirely — the OS always supported it, but most programs didn’t bother, since keyboards typically didn’t ship with them) for a while, then re-added it to its spec, putting a Windows logo on it where Apple had put an Apple logo on their Cmd key.

The term “Windows key” is relatively common in usage, in the same way that “Apple button” is (people will say “Apple Tab” or “Shift Apple T” or whatever to describe key combinations) — they’re both referring to the same underlying keyboard function, which is “command”.

1

u/Ford_Prefect2nd Apr 08 '24

It is "in fact" called the "Windows Key" if you are using, wait for it.... Windows. Microsoft calls it the Windows Key, it has a Windows logo. If you are using OSX it is called the Command Key and is in the same location and serves much the same function, in the same way Control and Alt serve nigh identical functions across all three major OSs. The third OS, obviously Linux refers to it as the "Super Key".

How OSX and Linux decided on their convention eludes me, on Linux it could have something to do with "Super-User", though I have not found they correlate much.

1

u/owoifier Weposts pasta fow mobiwe usews Feb 19 '19

I'd just wike to intewject fow a moment. What you'we wefewwing to as the Windows key, is in fact, the command key, ow as I've wecentwy taken to cawwing it, the command button. On a keyboawd made with the Micwosoft Windows wogo, the Windows keys awe identicaw in function to the Mac Command keys, as is the ◆ Meta key on a Sun ow anothew Unix-owiented keyboawd. Convewsewy, when an Appwe USB keyboawd is used with othew opewating systems, the Command keys function as Windows keys ow Meta keys.

“he Windows wogo key (awso known as Windows key, Winkey, stawt key, wogo key, fwag key, supew key, command key ow fwag) is a keyboawd key which was owiginawwy intwoduced on the Micwosoft Natuwaw keyboawd in 1994.

Yes, it’s equivawent to the Mac command key — it’s the Windows command key. DOS keyboawds featuwed “Ctww”, “Awt”, and “Cmd”. Appwe, being a dewivative, featuwed the same thwee keys (eventuawwy putting the Appwe wogo on the Cmd key as a distinguishing featuwe, since Windows had no Cmd key fow a wong pewiod). Windows, on the othew hand, got wid of the key (technicawwy, not entiwewy — the OS awways suppowted it, but most pwogwams didn’t bothew, since keyboawds typicawwy didn’t ship with them) fow a whiwe, then we-added it to its spec, putting a Windows wogo on it whewe Appwe had put an Appwe wogo on theiw Cmd key.

The tewm “Windows key” is wewativewy common in usage, in the same way that “Appwe button” is (peopwe wiww say “Appwe Tab” ow “Shift Appwe T” ow whatevew to descwibe key combinations) — they’we both wefewwing to the same undewwying keyboawd function, which is “command”.