Ticket Options

Question Details

TICKET ARCHIVE -> Remapping of standard keyboard shortcuts

RobinS - Jun 23, 2006 - 12:35 pm

I am amazed at the lack of standardization between Apple programs. One keyboard shortcut does one thing in one program only to do something totally different in another. Without getting into this - I've seen it is almost every single Apple program I've ever tried so its obviously not a priority in their software design - I'd like to hear some suggestions as to how to remap these functions so there is a bit of consistancy to the operation of my computer.

Escape = pop up window closes
Command+W = window within app closes
Command+scroll wheel on mouse = zoom window
Command+F = Find
Open = Enter

These are a few examples of things that need to have some consistancy.

And having some functions in Pages that are identical to Word would be good.

I guess I need some 3rd party app that does this. Sort of a keyboard shortcut remapper. Using OS X 10.4.6 on a 1.25 ghz Mini with 1024 mb ram. (If it makes a difference.)

vinko - Jun 23, 2006 - 4:18 pm

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Vinko and I will attempt to assit you.

Having developed Macintosh software for over 14 years I am very surprise to hear your comments. Apple's software development guildlines is the most strict of any company. They not only adhere to this themselves they impose this consistancy on all 3rd party developers.

Due to this fact, I had involved in software on that Macintosh that had worked on 10 different generations of Mac OS and still function perfectly.

Contrary this does not apply on the Windows world.

Every application as far as I know already have the following mapped to the corresponding functions:
Command+W = closes the current active window within an application
Command+O = opens an existing document within an application
Command+N = oepns a new document/window within an application
Command+Q = quit the current active application
Command+C = copy the current selected item to the clipboard
Command+V = paste the current item from the clipboard
Command+X = cut the current item to the clipboard
Command+Z = undo the last action
Command+, = opens the Preferences for the current active application
Command+P = print the current active window/document from the current active application
Command+A = select all

As for your scroll wheel modifier you need to set that within your mouse's Preferences.

You cannot map "Enter" to "open", as that would be incorrect in terms of user interface. The "Enter" key has always been associated with acknowledgement of the application's current active action. Similar to the "Return" key.

For remapping of keyboard shortcuts you can check VersionTracker

Pages is a more sufficiated wordprocessing application compares to MS Word. It is what Microsoft wants MS World to be in the Vista release.

If you prefer MS World you can always purchase MS Word for the Macintosh.

I hope this helps.

-- Vinko

Thank you for using MacOSX.Com's free Mac support.

RobinS - Jun 23, 2006 - 4:38 pm

Well that was a totally useless response.

Please repost this as its obvious you're not understanding my problem.

Thanks anyway. At least the response was quick.

ps....every used Pages? Finder? Mail?
In some you Tab between windows/message boxes, in other it doesn't work. There are so many problems I don't know where to begin. Yes, a few functions are similiar. But I'm saying ALL basic functions should be identical. HOw many times do I see a message box with Cancel, Don't Save, Save with one box highlighted and another half highlighted. In some apps you hit Enter, in others its Spacebar, in others you need the mouse. Its totally absurd. If you can put up with disorganization like that, good for you. I aspire to something better.

Am I looking for a key remapper?

vinko - Jun 23, 2006 - 5:06 pm

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your reply.

What do you mean, "ps... every used Pages? Findr? Mail?"?

I do understand you statement.

The functionalities of these applications are consistent at least all the Apple branded applications.

As for the rest, as mentioned Apple does have guidelines and it is upt to the 3rd party software developers to follow. You should find that the Macintosh user community is extremely critical on consitent user interface and behaviours. When applicaitons on the Mac does not behave as Apple had dictated it will go away. I had seen software companies go out of business because of that of the past 21 years.

To select the "Cancel" button is always with the Escape key. To select "Don't Save" you would use the "Command+D" key combination.

You may want to look at the Find Help pages for more information on this Macintosh consistencies.

I can see that you are new to the Macinotsh enviorment. Which OS did you previously use?

Regads,

-- Vinko

RobinS - Jun 23, 2006 - 11:40 pm

By Pages, Finder, Mail I meant there are so many functions that are different in each. I'd love to hit ENTER and see something launch, not get renamed. I'd love to go back in List view without the view changing to Icon view. I'd love to open a new window in Finder without it cascading. Same in Word. OS X loves to cascade smaller windows. I want all my windows full screen and use Alt+Tab or Alt+` to move between them. In fact if I could stop OS X from cascading everything I'd be VERY, VERY happy. I guess its generally navigation I find different so often. I"m a keyboard driven person - mouse driven people don't have these problems. Its a far simpler world. I wish I was in it sometimes!

vinko - Jun 24, 2006 - 1:50 am

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your reply.

What you are asking for is to change the general behaviour of Mac OS and not the applications in questions. Those specific behaviour had been that way since the first Mac OS in 1984.

For the mapping of the keyboard combinations to functions, as mentioned in my orginal reply. You can look for those applications at VersionTracker.

If you prefer the keyboard then you should be using a Linux. Mac OS had always been mouse driven.

-- Vinko

RobinS - Jun 25, 2006 - 10:22 pm

OK - its a lost cause.

Thanks for your patience. We can close this.

Somebody mentioned I might try Applescript to resize the window to a specific (full screen) size that might work for any window in any program. Do you think this is possible? Sort of my own Maximize keyboard shortcut.

vinko - Jun 26, 2006 - 1:33 am

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your reply.

AppleScript is a solution but you still need those 3rd part applicactions I had mentioned in my previous replies to map the AppleScript to specific key(s) combination.

Regards,

Vinko

RobinS - Jun 27, 2006 - 2:26 am

ok

Thanks for the input. Its always a little more complicated than we originally surmise!