Why is the Alt Key Called the "Option" Key?

[Osarkon]

What odd symbol on the alt/option key? The only symbol that's ever been on that is the

Are you talking about the command symbol? Then that is the Gorgon loop, the infinity matrix, Saint John's Arms, or Saint Hannes Cross.

2 seperate keys there.

Alt/Option has the circuit icon, and the Command/Apple key has the loop.

 

[andrew upstairs]

My powerbook still has one

Mine too! That's why I was caught off guard when I got a MacBook Pro and it was -less.

 

[andrew upstairs]

2 seperate keys there.

Alt/Option has the circuit icon, and the Command/Apple key has the loop.

This may be a regional thing. alt/option has no symbol anymore in the US. It used to have an . And never had any other symbol, ever. Perhaps that's why I'm confused. I don't even know what "the loop" is.

 

[Peterkro]

Are you talking about the command symbol? Then that is the Gorgon loop, the infinity matrix, Saint John's Arms, or Saint Hannes Cross.

Or possibly a Swedish camping site.

 

[andrew upstairs]

Or possibly a Swedish camping site.

Indeed.

 

[BlueRevolution]

Heh, yeah, Character Map identifies ⌘ as "point of interest sign".

 

[Osarkon]

This may be a regional thing. alt/option has no symbol anymore in the US. It used to have an . And never had any other symbol, ever. Perhaps that's why I'm confused. I don't even know what "the loop" is.

Then that is the Gorgon loop

The one you made reference to?

 

[neonblue2]

Now I'm actually in front of my computer and not on my iTouch, I can actually make a more coherent point.

Command

• Command
• Cmd (Seen on newer Mac keyboards)
•  (Seen on most Mac keyboards in "Open Apple" form)
• ⌘ (Seen on most Mac keyboards - prominent in menus)

Option

• Option
• Opt (Seen on some Mac keyboards)
• Alt (Seen on most Mac keyboards)
• ⌥ (Seen on some Mac keyboards - secondary to Command in menus)
• (Depreciated as of 1984) Closed Apple ()

It doesn't matter if your keyboard lacks the ⌥ or ⌘ symbols because the keys are exactly the same.

And I found that story on the Command key. It's right here. It is/was the symbol for an interesting feature in a Swedish campground as Peterkro said.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

What odd symbol on the alt/option key? The only symbol that's ever been on that is the

Are you talking about the command symbol? Then that is the Gorgon loop, the infinity matrix, Saint John's Arms, or Saint Hannes Cross.

Wrong key. The command symbol is NOT religious either. It actually originates from the "Point of Interest Symbol" which later made it into Unicode. That symbol is on the Command key (called the Apple key in older times). The Alt/Option key NEVER had that symbol on it - it's located to the left of the left Command key, and to the right of the right Command key (there are two).

EDIT: Whoops, didn't see the second page of posts. Somebody beat me to it.

EDIT 2:

Now I'm actually in front of my computer and not on my iTouch, I can actually make a more coherent point.

Command

* Command
* Cmd (Seen on newer Mac keyboards)
*  (Seen on most Mac keyboards in "Open Apple" form)
* ⌘ (Seen on most Mac keyboards - prominent in menus)


Option

* Option
* Opt (Seen on some Mac keyboards)
* Alt (Seen on most Mac keyboards)
* ⌥ (Seen on some Mac keyboards - secondary to Command in menus)
* (Depreciated as of 1984) Closed Apple ()


It doesn't matter if your keyboard lacks the ⌥ or ⌘ symbols because the keys are exactly the same.

And I found that story on the Command key. It's right here. It is/was the symbol for an interesting feature in a Swedish campground as Peterkro said.

Depreciated != Deprecated. The second term is the one you want here.

 

[andrew upstairs]

The one you made reference to?

Uh, you've got the wrong key. Perhaps you should have read my post.

Wrong key. The command symbol is NOT religious either. It actually originates from the "Point of Interest Symbol" which later made it into Unicode.

Yep. I think we're all aware of that. If you researched it further, you would realize that I'm correct, as well. Please read my post. Take it in.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Uh, you've got the wrong key. Perhaps you should have read my post.

Yep. I think we're all aware of that. If you researched it further, you would realize that I'm correct, as well. Please read my post. Take it in.

Yes, was it on Page 2? I missed it completely when I originally posted.

 

[Jisuo]

Heh, yeah, Character Map identifies ⌘ as "point of interest sign".

And not only in campsites. Where ever there's an old castle or viking runes there's that ⌘ sign pointing the way.