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Seriously no key repeat in Lion?

This has to be the most ******** thing I've ever seen. Only certain keys that apple has deemed repeat-worthy repeat when you hold them down. As someone who supports unix systems and is in VI a LOT, this is simply unacceptable! Make it a configuration option!

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 1:35 PM

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144 replies

Jul 20, 2011 2:15 PM in response to etresoft

I have experienced that as well, but the funny, strange and inconsistent thing is this:


1) Open Safari, and at the end of ANY URL in the address bar press the 'a' key on ur keyboard and keep it pressed.

2) when the 'aàáä' pop up appears, press any of the numbers shown below and you will replace the 'a' you typed with the 'a' identified by the number you selected.


BUT


3) If instead of pressing the number representing the various choices, you use the mouse and click on the letter you want you get something like this: aä


So it appends the selected letter instead of replacing the original 'a' you typed....


No that is messed up!

Jul 20, 2011 2:26 PM in response to chrisgiacomi

So far my biggest beefs with Lion are this and the lack of customizability for gestures. I can't 4 finger down for mission control like I did for expose? Man! That move is imbeded in my DNA to pass down to children.


Also.. I run my MBP display and a 30" cinema display... when I use mission control, you can't drag a window from the desktop of primary to a secondary or visa versa. So if I want to move a window from desktop A primary to desktop B secondary, I fist have to move it to B primary, switch to that desktop them move it to the secondary. PITA.


But this key repeat thing is a deal breaker! I have to be able to turn on repeat in ALL applications. This is a mac, not iOS!

Jul 20, 2011 2:30 PM in response to Nathan Miah

Nathan Miah wrote:


I just checked, and it appears I can only repeat certain keys too. One of the keys I pressed earlier might have just been one of the 'selected' repeat keys so I just assumed I could do it all. I can repeat a few keys like yourself. ssss llllll


Rediculous design choice. Who in their right mind at Apple would possibly approve of this?


No doubt approval came from the same who approved the removal of colour from most apps, colour and custom icons from the Finder sidebar, a gaudy less functional Address Book and iCal etc...


Removing the key repeat functionality appears to be application dependant so there may be some way to turn it off. In its present form, I agree with you - it's ridiculous.

Jul 20, 2011 2:39 PM in response to Chad_F

Yeah, I think you hit the jackpot... it's a Mac not an iPad or an iPhone...


I mean... honestly key repeat is a small thing... but seriously its a HUGE design flaw.


The UI paradigm used for iOS devices cannot be applied to a laptop or stationary machine. Not when it comes to the user interface. The input devices are different and also the needs of the users (using the different devices) are different.


I mean, even launch pad, only my grandma is going to use it... any power user would use QuickSilver or Alfred, but at least launch pad does not interfere with a power user's workflows.


But this key repeat thing does!


For example, even multiple desktops, in 10.6 you could decide how to arrange them 2x2, 3x2, 1x4, etc.. now no, they are just in a sequence... which is just wrong! For me to go from 1 to 4 I have to cycle through 3 different desktops! WHY? I mean, more customization, not less, more freedom, not less. Honestly I am in charge of the machine, not the other way round!

Seriously no key repeat in Lion?

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