Re: [Usability] key for Window-op menu

[Gregory Merchan <merchan phys lsu edu>]

On Wed, Feb 20, 2002 at 05:51:50AM -0500, P G wrote:
> Windoze provides easy keyboard manipulation of windows via the Window
> Operations Menu (or whatever M$ calls it).  For example, maximizing a
> window requires three keystrokes: Alt-Space, X.  It's very convenient
> and avoids fiddling with the mouse.
>
> Many window managers, including GNOME-compliant ones, provide the same
> kind of menu.  For example, Sawfish does.  It would be nice to have
> standard keyboard access to it.  It's unfortunate that Alt-Space is
> already used for "Delete all whitespace around cursor, reinsert single
> space".  That would have been intuitive for Windoze converts.

Pick another modifier for emacs. Mine works fine with Meta.

> I don't know where that use of Alt-Space came from, but I supose it's
> also standard.  Which standard should give way?  What should be the
> new key sequence?

Alt+Space is from the IBM Common User Access guidelines. Emacs is far
more pliant than most people, and Meta+Space already works there so it
will give.  (I love that tone. ;-)

> I also think there should be standard keyboard shortcuts for each
> window operation (maximize, iconize, etc), but that is a separate
> point.  In some window managers there are many operations, and we run
> out of modifier keys sequences;  the menu is necessary.

All but shade ("Roll-up" in the new lingo), stick, and the one-dimensional
maximize functions have bindings in that same standard. There is a link
to it on the GUP webpages.


> Philip
> 
> -- 

Please reduce the number of columns in your email composer to below 80.
70 columns is probably a good number as it allows for indentations
in replies without reformatting.


Cheers,
Greg Merchan