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Keyboard: Missing Apple Logo

The new keyboards have nothing saying, "hey, this is an Apple keyboard".

I just unboxed at work a new HP system, and the HP keyboard not only has the HP logo on it, the new "Windows Vista" key has the logo covered in a fancy clear plastic bubble.

If HP and MS is so proud to have their symbols ON their keyboard, why not Apple???
 
matticus008 said:
How does the Apple key avoid that? There is no on-screen cue for the logo key. All documentation based on Apple guidelines has been calling it the command key since 1984. The Apple logo on the key does not make any sense to anyone who doesn't know its history. It certainly doesn't make any sense to a first-time user who wants to know what it does, because the answer is nothing. At least the "alt" tag on the control key is useful in terminals and when running Linux/Windows.

The other icon, the Bowen knot/Saint-whatever cross, on the other hand, appears on screen, in print documentation, and in the Apple official character map. It was simply an exercise in sloth that people called it the Apple key casually.
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Not meanin' to take the piss outta ya, mate but:

You know, you are so right - I guess you need to be right! Consider that localization (outside of Happy Valley USA) will require that "command" be in different languages. That is my point. I know it is called the "command" key... which is easier to grock an :apple: key or a "command" key in some other character set.

Question - have you even seen an Apple Keyboard in a different character set? I have one on my 17" PB in Russian - had to order it from Cupertino. So I guess all the keys will be in Russian and then the key to the left of the space bar will be in roman characters with "command" - makes perfect sense!

I get it. Such a revelation!

Oh, BTW - I have been an Apple product user since 1983 - thank you for the history lesson. Read other comments in this thread and you may see (or not) why it has been called the "open Apple" key for since pre-1984!

BTW #2 - try shift-option-"k" and you will see the :apple: on screen. ;)

Hooroo!!!
 
MizuInOz said:
Not meanin' to take the piss outta ya, mate but:

You know, you are so right - I guess you need to be right! Consider that localization (outside of Happy Valley USA) will require that "command" be in different languages. That is my point.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, what? How does the Apple logo have anything to do with that? How would the presence of the Apple logo solve the problem? What function would the Apple logo serve on the key?
So I guess all the keys will be in Russian and then the key to the left of the space bar will be in roman characters with "command"
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Is there some reason to believe it wouldn't match the shift, caps lock, control, or tab keys?
...it has been called the "open Apple" key for since pre-1984!
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Tell me, do you insist on calling Nissans Datsuns? Do you still call the internet ARPANET? Do you call radio "the wireless"? There comes a time to let the past go. Apple did, 22 years ago.
 
gkarris said:
I just unboxed at work a new HP system, and the HP keyboard not only has the HP logo on it, the new "Windows Vista" key has the logo covered in a fancy clear plastic bubble.

If HP and MS is so proud to have their symbols ON their keyboard, why not Apple???
Click to expand...

Uh, it's not a matter of pride; the Windows key actually does something with its fancy, clear bubble equivalent on the screen.

If I tell a novice use press "apple-S", they know what to do. If I say press "command-S" I have to explain which is the command key. (Which is obviously the logic behind the internal political design fight that resulted in the end of the apple.) Apple is faster to say and it's much better for the marketing department that we say it often.
Click to expand...

And now, if you say press 'Command-S', they will know what to do because it's printed on the key. Better, right? We should be glad this is one of those (rare) instances in which logic won out over 'the marketing department.'
 
mugwump said:
Was I the only person telling people to use "apple-q" to quit, "apple-s" to save?

Maybe it's some "open apple" and "closed apple" key lust from the Apple // days, but now I wonder what all of those people will do.
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You know, it's funny - my first mac was an PowerMac 6100/60AV and the keyboard I received with it did not have the Apple. It took me about a week to figure out what people were talking about when they were mentioning the "apple key". For a while after that I switched away, but when I switched back, I got an iMac (not the newest one, mind you) and the Apple was back on the command key.

I figured my 6100/60AV had it removed because it was around the time when Apple computers were being produced by non-Apple companies, and having an Apple key was kind of a "misnomer".

I for one am really sad to see it go. To me it's a throwback to the dark days to take it away.
 
MizuInOz said:
How many other languages do you speak, by the way?

I see your point - do you see mine? At all?
Or do you need to be so right that you fail to see anyone else's side to anything?

Chill, Mate...
Click to expand...

Uh.. sounds like you need to chill, 'mate'. And actually, you've yet to explain your side, so how can we see it? It's a perfectly legitimate question how the Command key thing should be seen any differently than the other special keys like tab, shift, etc. Maybe you could provide a visual aid (snapshot of a non-US keyboard layout) to demonstrate whatever the heck it is your beef is? Because right now you're just not making it clear.

it isn't like Ned Kelly robbed your local fish and chips! Opps, you are probaly mad as a cut snake now, aye?
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....? :confused:

BTW - you are so right what purpose does the Apple :apple: logo serve! Write a note to Steve Jobs and tell him to just get rid of it.

YOU are so right: Branding has no value. <snip>
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He asked what purpose does it serve on the key, meaning that specific key. Based on this diatribe, I assume you'd be ok with the Apple logo anywhere on the keyboard? Maybe at the top on the wireless one and between the 'end' and 'up arrow' keys on the wired. That'd be ok with you? No? :eek: Then what's the point of complaining about the lack of branding?
 
backlights....

In my opinion, apple missed a chance by not installing backlighting into these keyboards, as it is done on the Macbook Pro's.

The very same pro's that use the MBP's also use Mac Pro's and even may use these new iMacs, in Studios etc. It would be great to have these with auto dimming backlight for the same reasons, and on top of that it looks cool too!
I love it in my studio personally, I often have dimmed light conditions, so I can see the LCD displays on various equipment better at all kinds of viewing angles, and I am thinking of replacing the Powerbook I use there now, with one of these new iMacs, but I'd miss the backlit keyboard...

:apple:
 
i actually prefer that the new keybard says "command" instead of ":apple:".

it may be just me, but it IS kind of irritating when giving instrutions to non-apple regulars that don't know where the command key is.
now the key says "COMMAND" right on their face, and i wont have to repeat myself, or explain: "the one with the little apple on it"
 
.

I am really disappointed that the new WIRELESS KEYBOARD doesn't have the help, home, end, section, nor the numeric pad.

What were they thinking???

And what is up with ALL GLOSSY oon the imacs ???:eek::eek::eek:

This is just insane.:mad::mad::mad:

I'm happy I bought the 17" MBP last month. LCD matte rules!!! I'll stick with my white wireless keyboard for now.
 
gkarris said:
The new keyboards have nothing saying, "hey, this is an Apple keyboard".
Click to expand...

Sure it does, it's style speaks for itself. Simple, minimal and style. There's not one keyboard that looks as compact as this but still remains the Apple style and colours. All the other keyboards are big and gaudy or have too much going on. I like just what I need. Granted some of the Logitech keyboards are nice when you need MCE like controls and such. I just love the minimal approach though, which these new Apple keyboards are.

I just unboxed at work a new HP system, and the HP keyboard not only has the HP logo on it, the new "Windows Vista" key has the logo covered in a fancy clear plastic bubble.

If HP and MS is so proud to have their symbols ON their keyboard, why not Apple???
Click to expand...

They do have their logo, look below the keyboard.




Most of the time Windows products are logos nuts, splattered everywhere.

Thats one thing I cannot stand, is the win key flag. I'm not bothered when it's just a white glyph, but when it becomes a giant colourful things all over it. I wouldn't buy such a thing.

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penter said:
i actually prefer that the new keybard says "command" instead of ":apple:".

it may be just me, but it IS kind of irritating when giving instrutions to non-apple regulars that don't know where the command key is.
now the key says "COMMAND" right on their face, and i wont have to repeat myself, or explain: "the one with the little apple on it"
Click to expand...

I agree. I've never used or associated the term Apple key. Even when you read the docs on getting into Open firmware etc etc, its command, option etc

Command sounds better than Apple.
 
I'm glad it's gone.

Having moved to the Mac a couple of years ago, the 'command' key was a whole load of confusion. When viewing docs saying 'press command-v', I didn't know if it meant, ctrl, alt or the 'apple' key.

Since it's an international keyboard I'd first assumed 'command' was a synonym for 'control', which would made more sense than it meaning 'apple / that weird symbol'.
 
Missing "." and "," in Russian Keyboard Layout

I didn't know where to put this query, so forgive me if I am posting in the wrong forum.

I just switched from a PC to a jazzy new Mac, but some of the little things are driving me crazy. The latest thing is that I've installed the Russian keyboard driver (the layout they use in Russia, which is what I know how to touch-type on), but the period and comma are missing. They are usually on the key to the immediate left of the right-hand shift key (where the question mark is on a US keyboard). Where are they?
 
I always say Apple command because my first computer was a very slow 2001 iMac G3. Pretty sure it has the Apple on the command key. So if they put it back... people with PowerBook G3's will still not be confused and the people with newer macs will still be confused but I wont.

Wait... anyway... I still hope they put it back. >.>

<.<







Because I liked it there.
 
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