Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games
in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's
about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
It's a pretty simple question, albeit with one caveat. The question is
about the KEY and not the character, so if you never use the semicolon
but do use the regular colon, then you can't disavow the key that
contains both. The whole key has to be un(der)-used, not just the
character or function it calls.
Some options for you to consider:
:The WinKey
Oh, this fucker! You know how many games it hard-locked
back in the bad-old Win95 days when switching from
full-screen mode wasn't allowed?
:The Context-Menu Key
What the hell does this key do anyway (don't answer,
I actually know). But even if it has a function, does
anyone actually use it?
:The FN key
It doesn't make the computer more fun, that's for sure!*
:The SCRLK key
From back when computers used scrolls, I guess.*
:The PRTSC key
Or printers, for that matter.*
:The PAUSE key
I press it multiple times per day but never get
the much-needed break I deserve!*
:The F12 key
Nobody needs that many Function keys!
:The tilde key
Only cheaters pull up the console anyway!
:The right CTRL key
Why use right CTRL when the left one is just so
much more handy?
:The E key
Liar!
:Some other key
Be specific!
-----------------------------
So, as for myself, it's the silly context menu key (if you don't know
which one that is, it's usually the key between right ALT and right
CTRL. It more or less corresponds to a right-click with the mouse).**
Who needs it when you have a mouse, after all? FN key (which only
exists on my laptops) and right CTRL are pretty underused too. WinKey
gets a lot of use (it's great launching programs, either with a
keyboard shortcut, or pressing it and then typing in the program
name). Prtsc/Scrlk/Pause are all mapped to keyboard shortcuts so they
get a lot of use too. And F12 is my default "load last quicksave"
button in pretty much every game.
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the
Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I almost
never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. ;-)
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as
the keyboard gods intended?
-------------
* Yes, I know what all these keys REALLY do. Or at least, what they
were originally created for. So save yourself the effort of telling
me.
** Microsoft is intending to repurpose this key to launch its CoPilot
AI thingee on future computers. It's good to know this key will never
be used in the future too!
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the
Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I almost
never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. ;-)
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as
the keyboard gods intended?
Anssi Saari wrote:
- Fn lock. Because of course you got to have an Fn lock if you haveKeyboards that merge the numbers with the Function keys, like mine. I
an Fn key? Except, why actually?
could use a Fn Lock key, but because I don't have it, I have an
Autohotkey Script to turn the number row into an FN row depending on
what work I have to do.
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
It's a pretty simple question, albeit with one caveat. The question is
about the KEY and not the character, so if you never use the semicolon
but do use the regular colon, then you can't disavow the key that
contains both. The whole key has to be un(der)-used, not just the
character or function it calls.
Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Nothing makes me more miserable than a keyboard where you need to press
:The FN key It doesn't make the computer more fun, that's for sure!*
the FN to use F1-F12 because without it they are multimedia keys by
default (logitech Mediacenter keyboard with touch pad)
:The INS key
Touch it accidentally, and the behaviour in a text processor changes
from insert to overwrite. this was not fun if you never learnt touch
typing and were looking at the keyboard instead of the screen
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the
Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I almost
never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. ;-)
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as
the keyboard gods intended?
I have a bunch I never use, or almost never.
- Silly context menu key.
- Right CTRL next to it.
- Scroll lock.
- Fn lock. Because of course you got to have an Fn lock if you have an Fn key?
Except, why actually?
- Audio mute. I'd use that sometimes but it's a little low profile key
- Pause/Break, what does it do again??
- Keyboard mode toggle. It's an idea that seems OK and this keyboard came with
two modes, by default the gaming mode disables the Windows key. It's a
cool idea but apparently I've learned not to hit the Windows key by accident.
Print screen I actually use sometimes for screenshots although usually windows-shift-s for snipping is more convenient.
On Fri, 5 Jan 2024 15:01:50 +0100, H1M3M <wipnoah@gmail.com> wrote:
:The PAUSE key I press it multiple times per day but never get the
much-needed break I deserve!*
This may be the most useless one. I don't think I have ever seen it work.
I use PAUSE a lot... just not on its own. WinKey+PAUSE opens up the
system information window (or Device Manager on earlier versions),
which is a useful shortcut when troubleshooting.
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games
in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's
about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF.
On 1/4/2024 11:55 PM, Anssi Saari wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the
Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I almost
never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. ;-)
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as
the keyboard gods intended?
I have a bunch I never use, or almost never.
- Silly context menu key.
I didn't even know what this was. I don't think I've ever used it. I've
at least used every other key at some point, ever if it was ages ago.
This is my winner (or loser)
- Right CTRL next to it.
I use that all the time ctrl-alt-del with the right hand only.
- Scroll lock.
It's been a couple years,
- Fn lock. Because of course you got to have an Fn lock if you have an
Fn key?
Except, why actually?
I don't think my current kb has a fn lock. I have used the FN key at least. It's rare, but I did just this week to set the colors to the
left spectrum for less blue eye-sore in light. Oh work laptop has one,
but it's sub the left shift, not a dedicated key
- Audio mute. I'd use that sometimes but it's a little low profile key
I don't think I have this one either? Oh, I do on my work laptop, but I don't remember using that as it's too high up and I don't remember it's there. I have had to turn it back on when I've (or a customer on
their's) accidentally hit it, literally more trouble than it's worth to
even be on the KB. I do have a mic mute button on a puck on my headphones, also useful.
- Pause/Break, what does it do again??
Useful in command windows on occasion, or in dosbox games.
- Keyboard mode toggle. It's an idea that seems OK and this keyboard
came with
two modes, by default the gaming mode disables the Windows key. It's a >> cool idea but apparently I've learned not to hit the Windows key by
accident.
I don't think I have that either.
Print screen I actually use sometimes for screenshots although usually
windows-shift-s for snipping is more convenient.
I have used print screen, but I usually forget it's there too, and bring
up snipping tool now.
Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
:The Context-Menu Key What the hell does this key do anyway (don't
answer, I actually know). But even if it has a function, does anyone
actually use it?
Oh, that's the name? I usually call it "the right mouse click key".
Useful when I don't have a mouse.
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games
in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's
about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
It's a pretty simple question, albeit with one caveat. The question is
about the KEY and not the character, so if you never use the semicolon
but do use the regular colon, then you can't disavow the key that
contains both. The whole key has to be un(der)-used, not just the
character or function it calls.
Some options for you to consider:
:The WinKey
Oh, this fucker! You know how many games it hard-locked
back in the bad-old Win95 days when switching from
full-screen mode wasn't allowed?
:The Context-Menu Key
What the hell does this key do anyway (don't answer,
I actually know). But even if it has a function, does
anyone actually use it?
:The FN key
It doesn't make the computer more fun, that's for sure!*
:The SCRLK key
From back when computers used scrolls, I guess.*
:The PRTSC key
Or printers, for that matter.*
:The PAUSE key
I press it multiple times per day but never get
the much-needed break I deserve!*
:The F12 key
Nobody needs that many Function keys!
:The tilde key
Only cheaters pull up the console anyway!
:The right CTRL key
Why use right CTRL when the left one is just so
much more handy?
:The E key
Liar!
:Some other key
Be specific!
-----------------------------
So, as for myself, it's the silly context menu key (if you don't know
which one that is, it's usually the key between right ALT and right
CTRL. It more or less corresponds to a right-click with the mouse).**
Who needs it when you have a mouse, after all? FN key (which only
exists on my laptops) and right CTRL are pretty underused too. WinKey
gets a lot of use (it's great launching programs, either with a
keyboard shortcut, or pressing it and then typing in the program
name). Prtsc/Scrlk/Pause are all mapped to keyboard shortcuts so they
get a lot of use too. And F12 is my default "load last quicksave"
button in pretty much every game.
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the
Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I almost
never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. ;-)
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as
the keyboard gods intended?
-------------
* Yes, I know what all these keys REALLY do. Or at least, what they
were originally created for. So save yourself the effort of telling
me.
** Microsoft is intending to repurpose this key to launch its CoPilot
AI thingee on future computers. It's good to know this key will never
be used in the future too!
On 1/5/2024 8:57 PM, candycanearter07 wrote:
On 1/5/24 03:27, kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games
in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's
about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF.
Is this supposed to be ironic or are you actually holding down the
Shift key for everything?
it was in fact a poor attempt at a joke
On 1/5/24 14:07, kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 8:57 PM, candycanearter07 wrote:
On 1/5/24 03:27, kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games >>>>> in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's >>>>> about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF.
Is this supposed to be ironic or are you actually holding down the
Shift key for everything?
it was in fact a poor attempt at a joke
Oh, ok!
On 1/5/2024 8:57 PM, candycanearter07 wrote:
On 1/5/24 03:27, kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games
in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's
about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF.
Is this supposed to be ironic or are you actually holding down the Shift
key for everything?
it was in fact a poor attempt at a joke
I have used print screen, but I usually forget it's there too, and bring >>> up snipping tool now.
PRTSCR for taking a screenshot of the whole desktop, ALT-PRTSCR for
just the active window. I rarel
On Fri, 5 Jan 2024 13:57:17 -0600, candycanearter07 <no@thanks.net>
wrote:
On 1/5/24 10:34, Justisaur wrote:
On 1/4/2024 11:55 PM, Anssi Saari wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the >>>>> Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I almost >>>>> never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. ;-) >>>>>
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as
the keyboard gods intended?
I have a bunch I never use, or almost never.
- Silly context menu key.
I didn't even know what this was. I don't think I've ever used it. I've >>> at least used every other key at some point, ever if it was ages ago.
This is my winner (or loser)
I think it's bound either Right Click or it moves your focus to the File
menu.
(long pointlessly pedantic ramble)
More specifically, it opens the context menu.
So, let's go back to 1995. Microsoft has just released Windows 95. A
big thing about Windows95 - one of the features Microsoft crowed about
- was how its OS (or desktop, at least) was 'object oriented'. In DOS, everything was program oriented; you opened the program, then opened
the file, then did whatever you needed, then closed the file and moved
onto the next one. And it wasn't just files that had to be manipulated
this way; configuration settings required you to open separate apps
too.
Windows95 was supposed to be transformational in this regard. Need to
open a file? Just double-click on the file itself and its associated
program would open. Use the file frequently? Point a shortcut to the
file - not the program! - and drag it to your desktop. Etc.
But more than that, you would be able to manipulate files and settings
easily and conveniently using 'context menus' that let you access
features - including by not limited to copying, pasting, renaming, and printing - without going through the associated program. As the name
implies, the menu that popped up would change depending on the context
of what you clicked. The context menu of a WAV file might have a
"play" option; a DOC file might have print, etc.
Microsoft was /really/ excited about this feature. So much so that
they wanted everybody to be able to use it... including people who
might not be comfortable with a mouse, or whose mouse only had one
button (yes, those were still common, if not the majority, on PCs in
1995). So they convinced hardware manufacturers to add the context
menu key to keyboards (it was also a way of advertising how 'modern' Windows95 was; you needed a new keyboard to maximize its utility! That
old IBM Model M just wouldn't cut it for something as high-end as
Windows95! ;-).
Where it was promptly ignored by users. Partly because it was in an inconvenient place, but mostly because the people who were most likely
to use it also owned a two-button mouse and it was just simpler to
right click.
(Side note: there are a distressing number of computer users - of all
ages - who still haven't discovered right-click functionality. It
hurts my brain whenever I encounter them.)
So technically, the context menu button is NOT the equivalent of a right-mouse click. It almost never will act as a right-mouse click in applications that use the right-mouse for something else. Rather, it
is a key that Explorer (and many Windows apps) maps to 'open context
menu'), which is also mapped to the right mouse button. But they're
really completely different signals.
(Another side note: SHIFT-F10 usually works too. Click on your desktop
and try it!)
Myself, I use it very rarely... but I /have/ used it. Sometimes, when
the mouse is broken or not plugged in, it comes in handy. But even
Microsoft seems to think its pretty useless, seeing as they are
apparently changing its functionality to launch the CoPilot AI
asssistant in future versions of Windows.
I have used print screen, but I usually forget it's there too, and bring >>> up snipping tool now.
PRTSCR for taking a screenshot of the whole desktop, ALT-PRTSCR for
just the active window. I rarel
On 1/6/24 08:29, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:Y do you ask?
On Fri, 5 Jan 2024 13:57:17 -0600, candycanearter07 <no@thanks.net>
wrote:
On 1/5/24 10:34, Justisaur wrote:
On 1/4/2024 11:55 PM, Anssi Saari wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:
My Mac keyboard has an Eject button that never gets used, because the >>>>>> Mac its plugged into doesn't have an optical drive. But since I
almost
never use the Mac, almost all the keys on its board would qualify. >>>>>> ;-)
-----------------------------
So, what's your least used key? Or do you love them all equally, as >>>>>> the keyboard gods intended?
I have a bunch I never use, or almost never.
- Silly context menu key.
I didn't even know what this was. I don't think I've ever used it.
I've
at least used every other key at some point, ever if it was ages ago.
This is my winner (or loser)
I think it's bound either Right Click or it moves your focus to the File >>> menu.
(long pointlessly pedantic ramble)
More specifically, it opens the context menu.
So, let's go back to 1995. Microsoft has just released Windows 95. A
big thing about Windows95 - one of the features Microsoft crowed about
- was how its OS (or desktop, at least) was 'object oriented'. In DOS,
everything was program oriented; you opened the program, then opened
the file, then did whatever you needed, then closed the file and moved
onto the next one. And it wasn't just files that had to be manipulated
this way; configuration settings required you to open separate apps
too.
Windows95 was supposed to be transformational in this regard. Need to
open a file? Just double-click on the file itself and its associated
program would open. Use the file frequently? Point a shortcut to the
file - not the program! - and drag it to your desktop. Etc.
But more than that, you would be able to manipulate files and settings
easily and conveniently using 'context menus' that let you access
features - including by not limited to copying, pasting, renaming, and
printing - without going through the associated program. As the name
implies, the menu that popped up would change depending on the context
of what you clicked. The context menu of a WAV file might have a
"play" option; a DOC file might have print, etc.
Microsoft was /really/ excited about this feature. So much so that
they wanted everybody to be able to use it... including people who
might not be comfortable with a mouse, or whose mouse only had one
button (yes, those were still common, if not the majority, on PCs in
1995). So they convinced hardware manufacturers to add the context
menu key to keyboards (it was also a way of advertising how 'modern'
Windows95 was; you needed a new keyboard to maximize its utility! That
old IBM Model M just wouldn't cut it for something as high-end as
Windows95! ;-).
Where it was promptly ignored by users. Partly because it was in an
inconvenient place, but mostly because the people who were most likely
to use it also owned a two-button mouse and it was just simpler to
right click.
(Side note: there are a distressing number of computer users - of all
ages - who still haven't discovered right-click functionality. It
hurts my brain whenever I encounter them.)
So technically, the context menu button is NOT the equivalent of a
right-mouse click. It almost never will act as a right-mouse click in
applications that use the right-mouse for something else. Rather, it
is a key that Explorer (and many Windows apps) maps to 'open context
menu'), which is also mapped to the right mouse button. But they're
really completely different signals.
Cool! I had no idea the context menu button was made by MS to advertise!
(Another side note: SHIFT-F10 usually works too. Click on your desktop
and try it!)
Myself, I use it very rarely... but I /have/ used it. Sometimes, when
the mouse is broken or not plugged in, it comes in handy. But even
Microsoft seems to think its pretty useless, seeing as they are
apparently changing its functionality to launch the CoPilot AI
asssistant in future versions of Windows.
I really dislike AI being everywhere.
I have used print screen, but I usually forget it's there too, and
bring
up snipping tool now.
PRTSCR for taking a screenshot of the whole desktop, ALT-PRTSCR for
just the active window. I rarel
rarel?
PRTSCR for taking a screenshot of the whole desktop, ALT-PRTSCR for
just the active window. I rarel
** Microsoft is intending to repurpose this key to launch its CoPilot
AI thingee on future computers. It's good to know this key will never
be used in the future too!
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games
in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's
about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF.
Right ALT. The hell do you use *that* for? I can't even *reach* right ALT without awkwardness and/or cramps, let alone have a use for it. Make that
the Copilot, flavor-of-the-month, nonsense key, please.
On Fri, 5 Jan 2024 21:07:04 +0100, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 8:57 PM, candycanearter07 wrote:
On 1/5/24 03:27, kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games >>>>> in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's >>>>> about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF.
Is this supposed to be ironic or are you actually holding down the Shift >>> key for everything?
it was in fact a poor attempt at a joke
Jokes are funnier when you're not SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS
UNTIL YOU START FOAMING AT THE MOUTH AND FALLING OVER BACKWARDS! :^D
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard?
:The WinKey
Oh, this fucker! You know how many games it hard-locked
back in the bad-old Win95 days when switching from
full-screen mode wasn't allowed?
:The PRTSC key
Or printers, for that matter.*
:The PAUSE key
I press it multiple times per day but never get
the much-needed break I deserve!*
:The right CTRL key
Why use right CTRL when the left one is just so
much more handy?
On 1/5/2024 12:57 PM, Zaghadka wrote:
On Fri, 5 Jan 2024 21:07:04 +0100, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 8:57 PM, candycanearter07 wrote:
On 1/5/24 03:27, kyonshi wrote:
On 1/5/2024 3:46 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:Is this supposed to be ironic or are you actually holding down the Shift >>>> key for everything?
CAPSLOCK. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY IT'S EVEN THERE. NEVER USE IT MYSELF. >>>>
Technically, this poll has nothing to do with action games, or games >>>>>> in general. But since this newsgroup name starts with "comp" and it's >>>>>> about computers, I think I'm still considered on-topic.
-----------------------------
Today's CRAP Poll is... What is the least used key on your keyboard? >>>>>
it was in fact a poor attempt at a joke
Jokes are funnier when you're not SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS
UNTIL YOU START FOAMING AT THE MOUTH AND FALLING OVER BACKWARDS! :^D
I don't know, I rather liked Sam Kinison
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