Back in the dark ages of the 1980's I took typing classes in school to help with my interest in computers. It was likely one of the better decisions I've made over the years.
As a result of those classes, and a lifetime or two of working with computers for a living, I'm a touch typist with no need to look at the keyboard while I'm typing. Whether I'm coding, playing games, or doing just about anything, I almost always use the keyboard.
These days I only have laptops at the house, no desktops. OK, I also have a bunch of Commodore 64 & Commodore 128 machines & parts but I suspect most people wouldn't count them as a "desktop" machine. 🤪 I mention that because for my personal machines I've made buying decisions on the keyboard alone.
I'm picky about my keyboards.
Which takes me to why I hate Microsoft at the moment.
The company I work for rotates our machines every few years; even if there is nothing wrong with the machine they'll still replace it after a few years. This time I received a nice shiny new HP EliteBook 840 with all the bells and whistles.
And here's the keyboard that it comes with.
Notice any strange buttons? Notice any buttons missing where the strange one is?
I know, I know, most people won't notice it and some might say it's not a big deal but it is driving me nuts. For those that don't see it, take a look at the space bar and then to the right. Yep, instead of a
Oh, sure, you can download some apps from the Windows Store that can remap keys but guess what most companies do with their company issue laptops? That's right, they lock them down so you can't install anything unless it's an approved app.
If I had a dollar for every time I've hit the #$%&@*^ "Copilot" key the past week when trying to do a
As a result of those classes, and a lifetime or two of working with computers for a living, I'm a touch typist with no need to look at the keyboard while I'm typing. Whether I'm coding, playing games, or doing just about anything, I almost always use the keyboard.
These days I only have laptops at the house, no desktops. OK, I also have a bunch of Commodore 64 & Commodore 128 machines & parts but I suspect most people wouldn't count them as a "desktop" machine. 🤪 I mention that because for my personal machines I've made buying decisions on the keyboard alone.
I'm picky about my keyboards.
Which takes me to why I hate Microsoft at the moment.
The company I work for rotates our machines every few years; even if there is nothing wrong with the machine they'll still replace it after a few years. This time I received a nice shiny new HP EliteBook 840 with all the bells and whistles.
And here's the keyboard that it comes with.
Notice any strange buttons? Notice any buttons missing where the strange one is?
I know, I know, most people won't notice it and some might say it's not a big deal but it is driving me nuts. For those that don't see it, take a look at the space bar and then to the right. Yep, instead of a
CTRL key it now has a Microsoft "Copilot" key which, with just a stock install of Windows 11, you can't remap to do something else, something else like, you know, working as CTRL key.Oh, sure, you can download some apps from the Windows Store that can remap keys but guess what most companies do with their company issue laptops? That's right, they lock them down so you can't install anything unless it's an approved app.
If I had a dollar for every time I've hit the #$%&@*^ "Copilot" key the past week when trying to do a
CTRL it'd likely be enough to pay for a new replacement laptop for this one that I'm about smash on my desk. 🤬
