On Jun 8, 2006, at 6:47 AM, Lennox Jacob wrote:
What are the guidelines for using "Shift", "Control", "Option" and
"Command" keys in keystroke shortcuts?
The guidelines can be found at
<http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/
OSXHIGuidelines/>.
More specifically, the "Creating Your Own Shortcuts" section is
relevant:
<http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/
OSXHIGuidelines/XHIGUserInput/chapter_11_section_3.html#//apple_ref/
doc/uid/TP30000361-TPXREF54>
Shift:
"Use the Command key as the main modifier key for keyboard equivalents.
For a command that complements another more common command, you can add
Shift. The table below shows some recommended keyboard equivalents
using Shift and their relation with the command they complement."
Option:
"Also use Option for a keyboard shortcut that is a convenience or
power-user feature. For example, the Finder uses Command-Option-W for
Close All Windows and Command-Option-M for Minimize All Windows."
Control:
"Because the Control key is already used by some of the universal
access features as well as in Cocoa text fields where Emacs-style key
bindings are often used, it should be used as a modifier key only when
necessary."
And overall:
"When adding custom keyboard shortcuts, try to avoid shortcuts that add
a modifier key (such as Option or Shift) to an existing shortcut if the
shortcuts have an unrelated function. For example, don’t use
Shift-Command-Z as a keyboard shortcut for a command that is unrelated
to Undo. Using that shortcut for Redo is appropriate, but using it for
something like Calculate or Check Mail is confusing. If you can’t find
a unique and easy-to-use keyboard shortcut for a command, don’t use one
at all; keep in mind that users may have difficulty pressing multiple
modifier keys anyway."
HTH,
Jon
--
Jonathan Johnson
REAL Software, Inc.
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