Use Windows Key as a shortcut key by itself

[diogosales]

I just arrived to Hardy from Vista, and I was really getting used to press the Windows Key and start typing so indexed stuff could be found.

I noticed, like in Gutsy, Hardy comes with that handy Deskbar as a panel widget. My only problem is that I can't make it recognize the Windows key by itself, it only works with some other key combined.

Now I read somewhere that Linux considers the Windows key as a meta-key, which could or should not do anything by itself.

Is this true? If so, is there any workaround on this?

Thanks in advance.

[iaculallad]

A workaround to make it pop the "Applications" menu in your Ubuntu:

System->Preferences->Keyboard Shortcuts, an option in the "Desktop" is your "Show the Panel Menu" (Default is Alt+F1), click on the Title then press the windows key (Value is Super L) on your keyboard to change its value.

Now, everytime you want to drop the Applications Menu, all you have to do is press the windows key.

[diogosales]

Indeed, I didn't try that before. So, why is Gnome able to recognize Super key as a shortcut by itself via Global Keyboard Shortcuts, and Tracker only allows its use as a meta-key to combine with some other key?

It's just that what I intended was to pop-up Tracker with the Windows Key, no the Menu.

Thanks.

[ryanhaigh]

I was just reading about a related issue and thought the info provided on this page may be useful to you.

One of the comments suggests using xmodmap to map the windows key to a fictional F13, you should then be able to bind that key to bring up deskbar (although this will interfere with any other win key bindings for metacity/compiz).

[core]

I'll check it out as soon as I get home.

Although I got used to the Windows + Space combo for launching Gnome-Do.

Thanks!