Re: Alt and Command keys in the quartz backend

[John Ralls <jralls ceridwen us>]

On Sep 6, 2011, at 1:27 AM, Michael Natterer wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> Currently, the mapping of the Alt and Command keys on the mac
> is completely screwed:
> 
> - The key labeled "Command" maps to GDK_MOD1_MASK (which is
>  essentially interpreted as Alt by all existing code)
> 
> - The key labeled "Alt" isn't mapped to any modifier at all
> 
> Now there is a lot of discussion in these bug reports:
> 
> https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=607115
> https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=605799
> 
> but at the bottom of all that is the above mentioned
> problem. After it's fixed we can fix whatever keymap
> issues in GTK on top.
> 
> It seems pretty obvious to me that the key labeled
> "Alt" should produce GDK_MOD1_MASK because all existing
> code considers that being the "Alt" key.
> 
> The only question is what to map "Command" to, and we
> are free to choose whatever, since the behavior will
> change away from the current one of producing GDK_MOD1_MASK
> anyway.
> 
> I personally prefer GDK_META_MASK because it's what the
> "Windows" key is mapped to on PC keyboards, but that's not
> a strong reason (and it is, as saidm completely arbitrary
> anyway).
> 
> Opinions? I volunteer to patch up all 3 branches once
> we come to an agreement.

How long have you been using a Mac as your primary computer? On what mac-native programs that you use daily is the alt/OPTION key used as a stand-alone modifier for shortcuts with default settings (any preference changes you've made don't count)?

How does the code "know" what key produces the mod1 bit? Why would it care?

Regards,
John Ralls