No Insert Key (BAD Decision on Mac's Part)

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Level 1

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No Insert Key (BAD Decision on Mac's Part)

I've been using a MicroSoft PC computer for over 20 years years, whereas I have been performing a lot of Word Processing. I was convinced that a Mac computer would serve me better so I made the switch and ought one. In many ways it has proven to be superior. BUT, Mac does have one rather very annoying problem they need to overcome to fully satisfy or truly convert Microsoft users. It inolves the the addition of the "Ins" (insert/overwrite) key, or providing a short-cut for accomplishing the same task.

On Microsoft PC computers, you'll find a very nifty little key that is labeled "Ins," which allows you to either type text into (insert) a word document OR type over (overwite) text. This is VERY HELPFUL for those who perform Word Processing tasks on regular basis, as it allows you to very easily change between inserting text (adding thought to paragraphs) or overwriting (changing thought in paragraphs), and at the same time not interrupt your thought pattern. Conversely, on a Mac computer, if you are typing in insert mode, you MUST STOP to highlight and delete the text you no longer want and then type in your added words; OR (if you've set your computer to type in overwrite mode) you MUST STOP to re-set your computer to write in insert mode. Simply put ...... either way this takes WAY MORE TIME than just simply hitting a "Ins" key that can accomplish the task quickly (as on MicroSoft PC computers). Since this disrupts one's thoughts, it proves to be a very frustrating task when needing to change back and forth between inserting and overwriting on a frequent basis.

I SUGGEST that Mac reconsider the design of the keyboard on future computers by ADDING a "Ins" (insert/overwrite) key; AND providing current users with a Short-Cut on version up-dates to enable this function on existing computers, whereby one would have to hit a combination of two keys to accomplish the task of changing between insert or overwrite.

I HOPE YOU'RE LISTENING MAC!

MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 4, 2008 3:57 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,266 points

Sep 4, 2008 4:37 PM in response to N2Surf

This is a user-to-user forum so is not the best place for product suggestions. Try this instead:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

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Answer 2

Sep 4, 2008 4:52 PM in response to N2Surf

I don't mean any offense, but the only people who still use INS are people who have been using PCs for 20+ years. It is now outdated and many new PC laptops have dropped it. Desktops still have it by default. Now most people use the handy dandy mouse to select all the words they wanted to remove then put the cursor where they want to add the new words. I hope this helps you understand apple's lack of concern for having an INS button.

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Answer 3

N2Surf Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 4, 2008 5:01 PM in response to kungfu.mushroom

In response to KungFu.mushroom, I understand I can accomplish the task OTHER ways, the point being though ....... is its a very useful key that should not be dropped which saves time, with consideration given to incorporating at the very least short-cuts for those who need it. You're suggestion to click, drag and delete takes more time & effort than is truly necessary, which is what frustrates people trying to complete thought in a report - they have to STOP .......... to click, ......... then drag, .......... then delete, ......... AND finally they can re-type. Whereas with the INS key you simply click a button and off you go.

Now isn't that simple?

PS: to the other responder suggesting another site to post at, thank you - I will do that.

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Answer 4

Paul4900

Level 2

350 points

Sep 4, 2008 5:17 PM in response to N2Surf

1. Who the **** uses the insert key anymore? People have the mouse. All they'll need.

2. MicroSoft changed their name to Microsoft a long time ago.

3. There's only one company called Mac that I know of (some makeup place), so please call Apple by their real name. (What? Fanboys are fanboys...)

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Answer 5

N2Surf Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 4, 2008 5:27 PM in response to Paul4900

Real helpful Paul - Thanks - I mean .... you just gotta wonder if people really think about things rightly (?)

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Answer 6

Sep 4, 2008 7:03 PM in response to N2Surf

I find it weird that people keep talking about a 'mouse' here, as if it were a standard piece of equipment on a MBP...

That said, back when I used a PC, I actually found the INS key to be a nuisance more than anything else. The only time I ever pressed it was accidentally, and it would annoy me to find out that I was suddenly typing over my previous text. Definitely not a button I miss. But, to each their own.

If you're running Windows via Bootcamp, apparently fn + return works like Ins.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=216847

Won't work on OS X, I assume. However, if you want to do the same thing on the Mac version of Word, you can toggle the Overtype (OVR) button.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070205132429554

Hope that helps.

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Answer 7

Sep 4, 2008 9:11 PM in response to N2Surf

I know what you mean, it seems more inefficient. But lets consider that you had "The gray fox merrily meandered through the forest as the moon light glistened from the canopies above" and you wanted to replace it with "I eat muffins" (hopefully will never be the case in real life...). If you use the insert key you end up with "I eat muffinsmerrily meandered through the forest as the moon light glistened from the canopies above". Now you have "merrily meandered through the forest as the moon light glistened from the canopies above" to remove. You could press fn+delete and wait for the characters to delete one by one, risking that you delete a little too far and have to type up some of the stuff you deleted again. Or... you could click and drag over the rest of it and deleted it with one press of the delete key.

Also. Try this. type out: "The gray fox merrily meandered through the forest as the moon light glistened from the canopies above" or what ever you want. Now click and drag over it, selecting it all. Now type what ever you want. You would have had to make just as many mouse movements to put the cursor in the right place. and it takes at least 1 less keystroke because you don't have press INS (in addition to delete/backspace).

I'm not saying INS keys are bad, just kinda going the way of the Dodo. I actually hate them because i had bad experiences with them when i was a wee lad learning the ways of the Personal Computer.

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Answer 8

Sep 4, 2008 9:14 PM in response to roguemodron

*"I find it weird that people keep talking about a 'mouse' here, as if it were a standard piece of equipment on a MBP..."*

Change "mouse" to "trackpad"... Or SHIFT + ARROW KEY Or COMMAND + ARROW KEY

I agree, I only hit INS by accident and it caused nothing but frustration. It's really a "Pre-GUI" technology :P

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Answer 9

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Sep 4, 2008 9:42 PM in response to Paul4900

Paul4900 wrote:
1. Who the **** uses the insert key anymore? People have the mouse. All they'll need.

Uh, while I'm not into the INS key, I write a lot and pointing to the mouse is not an answer.

I am most productive in writing apps that allow 100% formatting without having to break the train of thought and reach for the mouse. I use mice, no problem with them, actually I use tablets, but when you're writing continuously it's so nice to make any edit you need to on the fly without taking the hands off the keyboard.

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Answer 10

Sep 4, 2008 9:49 PM in response to Network 23

So, using the keyboard entirely (no mouse), you would have to use the arrow keys to move the cursor to where you wanted it to be, right?

Right. But, you can still do a much easier method using selection. Hold down Shift or CMD with the cursor at the end of the block of text you want to replace. Then hold down the appropriate arrow key until all of it is selected then type what you want to replace it with. This removes any cleanup or over-insertion. And is jsut as fast to get the cursor where you want it (especially if going backwards with the cursor).

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Answer 11

Sep 10, 2008 9:27 AM in response to N2Surf

I am a longtime mac user now in a windows world. I was looking for the Ins key not for the mac side but for my Windows XP in Parallels. Many windows applications still use overwrite as the default. My frustration was trying to figure our how to get out of overwrite mode(never found in Mac OS...always in insert mode). Your discussion inadvertantly answered my problem. In Windows on the MacBook PRO the insert key is fn - enter...very clever I thought.

Bigsombrero0

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