Symbol synchronization
February 18th, 2004
Since Apple dictates both the design of the Apple Pro keyboard and the graphical interface, why are the modifier key symbols used in the menus not used on the keyboard keys? (With the exception of the Command key, as noted below.)
- Shift (?): no problems that I foresee…
- Control (?): the caret symbol over the 6 key is very similar, but with the right size and line weight, I think it would be distinct enough to work.
- Option/Alt (?): no problems…
- Command (?): already taken care of!
You know what’s odd? There was a discussion about this exact thing on a mailing list I’m on, and apparently all of Apple’s keyboards outside the US have these symbols. It’s just the ones in the US that don’t. Weird, huh?
I want my US keyboard symbols, dammit!
Did anyone give a reason as to why the US keyboards are barren of all but one symbol?
Apparently it was a conscious decision, but I can’t find any info about the rationale behind it. I suspect it has to do with the use of the English words “control” and “option,” which is traditional in American English keyboards but possibly not in foreign keyboards? Who knows…
I can understand wanting to use the standard labels for U.S. keyboards, but I think there is room enough for those and graphics.
Quite perplexing…