Plans to remove the Windows key?

[JoshHendo]

I have intentions of buying a laptop from System 76 next year sometime, but I couldn't help but notice the windows key on the laptops (in the pictures).

If they come with Ubuntu, there is no need for a windows key? It would be cool if the windows icon could be replaced with the ubuntu logo ;).

[crichell]

I'm completely with you. It would be awesome to switch out the key and it may not be as tough as I suspect.

[_simon_]

Maybe you could stock linux keyboards. I know Cherry make one but I wouldn't have a clue where normal consumers would purchase one.

[aysiu]

I'm completely with you. It would be awesome to switch out the key and it may not be as tough as I suspect.
So, Carl, does that mean you're planning to actually change out the logo...?

[crichell]

Planning - no. But we'll take a look into it - I think it would be pretty cool.

[sharperguy]

Yea, that would be great!

[K.Mandla]

Ooh, that would be sweet! An Ubuntu logo instead of a Windows button! Sign me up!

[rapha]

Tell me too should you get replacement keys for the Bonobo available at some point in the future :-)

[pufuwozu]

I'd be very interested in buying a cheap keyboard that has a Ubuntu logo on it.

[alecjw]

Maybe you could make keyboards with tux on them instead, so users of all linux distros will like them.

[audioboxer217]

Maybe you could stock linux keyboards. I know Cherry make one but I wouldn't have a clue where normal consumers would purchase one.

I wonder if Cherry would be willing to work with you guys on supplying keybard for you system. They have some really nice ones.

Here is a link (http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/cymotion-line/cymotion-line_master_linux.htm)to their site. Check them out for youself.

[crichell]

I've seen the Cheery keyboards - pretty cool - I think they're the first. We've briefly investigated custom keyboards and it looks promising. I have to say though we've got a lot rolling so it's not on the top of the priority list. Nonetheless, I'd like to switch out that key at some point.

[rmx.dave]

Hey,

I really like the look of the System76 systems and their driver compatibility, but I was just curious...will System76 ever remove the Windows key from the keyboards? I don't think it would be too costly to put an Ubuntu logo or a penguin or something instead.

This is just random curiosity. I really could care less if that key was there or not.

[crichell]

System76 ever remove the Windows key from the keyboards?

I'm sure we will at some point.

[akniss]

I'm sure not many others share my sentiment on this, but i'd be willing to pay an extra $50 if there were an Ubuntu logo rather than a windows logo!!

[palintheus]

I'm sure not many others share my sentiment on this, but i'd be willing to pay an extra $50 if there were an Ubuntu logo rather than a windows logo!!


I'd second that!

[MarkID]

I'm sure not many others share my sentiment on this, but i'd be willing to pay an extra $50 if there were an Ubuntu logo rather than a windows logo!!

Maybe someone can take on the project of developing a Tux sticker to put on the WIndows key. I'd get some.

[Kingsley]

Instead of Win Key, what would the Ubuntu stickered key be called?

[AusIV4]

Instead of Win Key, what would the Ubuntu stickered key be called?
It's commonly referred to as the Super Key.

I wouldn't pay $50 to get the win key replaced, but when I have time this summer, I plan to see if i can remove the current logo and replace it with something else.

I have a keyboard I'm not using that came with my mom's compaq that seems to have the same kind of keys as my Gazelle, so I'll have about 100 chances to get it right before i have to work on the real thing. If I get anything working, I'll chronicle my experience for anyone else who wants to modify their key.

[bikeboy]

Lin key? Although I think it's quite often used as a so called "super key" and can be assigned to different uses.

[aysiu]

I've merged this with another, similar thread.

[Polygon]

put something universal instead of the windows logo, like a diamond or a tux (just so that people who use SUSE or some other distro, dont go asking for a differnet logo on the keyboard... etc)

[Pobega]

Maybe you could make keyboards with tux on them instead, so users of all linux distros will like them.
I agree with this.

I stopped using Ubuntu a few months ago due to stability reasons (A lot of packages broke my system/ended up messed up in the long run) and switched to Debian, if I ever bought another System76 laptop (I'm sure I'll be with you guys for life :D) I'd love to have a Tux key on there.

Or why not have multiple choices for the keys? Instead of producing 1,000 Ubuntu keys why not produce 700 Ubuntu, 50 Debian keys, 50 Gentoo keys, etc., so you can satisfy the more common distros. And the Tux for those that you can't make room for.

[AusIV4]

Or why not have multiple choices for the keys? Instead of producing 1,000 Ubuntu keys why not produce 700 Ubuntu, 50 Debian keys, 50 Gentoo keys, etc., so you can satisfy the more common distros. And the Tux for those that you can't make room for.
Any time you're dealing with production, the most time consuming step is setting up the machines to produce a certain item. Producing 50 debian keys would likely cost half as much as 700 Ubuntu keys. Personally I'd be happy with an Ubuntu logo, and if I ever customize my own key, that's what I'll put on it, but if we're going for generic Linux keyboards, a picture of Tux might be more appropriate.

[Freddie.Ruddick]

Why not get some stickers made up;then, in each box, have a strip (well, a left and a right) of stickers, Ubuntu, Debian, Tux etc.

[vblanton]

Well, I know there was a german keyboard manufacturer that had tux logo's on one of their keyboards a while ago. Either way, perhaps it would be possible to just pull off the windows key and replace it with a tux replica! :)

[jaycee15*]

FYI, there are uses for the WIndows key in Ubuntu.

If you use the Window Manager Beryl 0.2.0 (latest version), the Windows key is used to:

a) initiate the Beryl window switcher by pressing the Windows and Tab keys simultaneously.
b) zoom by holding the Windows key and turning the mouse wheel.

By the way, Beryl gives you more WOW! than M$ Vista and without the hardware overhead -
e.g. you get transparent windows, elaborate window animations and fabulous 3D effects!
You can make windows look like genies emerging from (or returning to) a bottle ("magic lamp" animation), make a window look as though it is being consumed by flames ("burn" animation) or make a window vanish amongst colored light particles (Star Trek "beam up" animation).

If you are not using Beryl already, I hope I have whetted your desire for it......

[palintheus]

FYI, there are uses for the WIndows key in Ubuntu.

It isn't a proposal to remove the key itself, just change what it looks like.

[MarkID]

I found the following companies that make keyboard overlay stickers, for bi-lingual keyboards and the like. To make Tux stickers they would need to know the specs (shape, size, color, etc.) of the key for the different keyboards. Anyone eant to take the lead.

www.datacal.com
www.become.com
www.hooleon.com

[beefcurry]

TUX KEYS! now THATS something I want! Is there no common logo for the FSF?

[sbergman27]

They have that silly, amateurish looking Gnu. But keep in mind that many of us in the Linux community, and a large segment in the BSD communities do not care for the FSF.

The Gnu would be a terrible choice from every conceivable perspective: UI, PR, aesthetics, politics... you name it. Let's not step into that particular cow pie. ;-)

[macogw]

Don't bother trying acetone to get rid of the Windows logo on your keyboard. Won't work. A nail file made some progress but scratched the keys.

[gtr225]

http://shop.tuxgraphics.org/fan/penguinsticker.html
http://www.linuxfocus.org/English/April2005/article373.shtml