Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46200263

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41462164

Points: 7

# Comments: 3

> I can use the same set of shortcuts across all applications on Mac, such as copy paste as was pointed out earlier, or exit, or preferences, etc.

Literally the same with Linux. There's no difference.

> And just because they’re more “consistent” in your head, even though they’re not, it doesn’t make them any less awful. Using Command key for every OS shortcut is far superior than using mix of Control and Option.

Okay, let's see:

- New Tab: Cmd + T vs Ctrl + T

- Switch Tabs: Ctrl + Tab (Can't use Cmd + Tab) vs Ctrl + Tab

- History in browser: Cmd + Y vs Ctrl + H (H is for History)

- Downloads Page: Cmd + Shift + J vs Ctrl + J

- Swift through words: Opt + Left/Right vs Ctrl + Left/Right

- Select words: Opt + Shift + Left/Right vs Ctrl+ Shift + Left/Right

- Change windows: (Cmd + Tab and then Cmd + `) vs Alt + Tab

- Open directories: Cmd + O/Down Arrow vs Enter

- Copy Text: Cmd + C vs Ctrl + C

- Copy Text in Terminal: Cmd + C vs Ctrl + Shift + C

- SIGINT: Ctrl+ C vs Ctrl + C

- Delete file: Cmd + Opt + Delete vs Shift + Delete

- Backspace: Delete vs Backspace

- Delete: Fn + Delete vs Delete

You see how consistent Linux is with Ctrl? You don't need to use other keys most of the time. Everything's fixed. Terminal is literally the only app where the difference comes up because Ctrl + C is used for SIGINT, thats literally it!

Inconsistency is not an issue for those who have learned the shortcuts. Everybody has trouble adapting to new keyboard shortcuts so that's not the main issue. Mac objectively uses way more keys in shortcuts compared to Linux which is what makes it worse.

> Just one most obvious example: copy and paste between windows.

Always the same, Ctrl + C/V. Except for the terminal because Ctrl + C is used for SIGINT, even on Mac. So instead of having to invent a whole new key for copy/paste in terminal, Linux uses an extra Shift, which imo is much better changing the whole key.

Let's not talk about Cmd + Tab, Alt + Tab on Linux is much better than Cmd + Tab + Cmd + `. I use the Alt Tab app on Mac too, it's way better than the default, unless of course one likes to use more keys to switch between windows for no reason.

I use both Mac and Linux for work. It's not me who has issues. I'm able to work on both just fine. I just mentioned why I think Linux is better, because the keys are consistent within the Linux + Windows world and they're much easier to learn. Of course you're gonna have to adjust to the difference when switching to Linux, is that even something to be angry about?

Mac doesn't make a better developer of course, but it's better than having Windows.

Linux uses Ctrl for most things, you don't even need to lift the finger up away from Ctrl for most shortcuts. Super key is only used for OS shortcuts. Linux is way more consistent in its application.

On Mac, the distinction between Ctrl, Option and Cmd is arbitrary.

Going from Mac to Linux, I felt that the shortcuts in Mac were worse.

On Linux, you don't have to reach for a totally different key to copy/paste from the terminal. You just add Shift to the Ctrl +V and Ctrl+ C. On Mac, it's a totally different button to exit CLI programs and do other things.

All other shortcuts are also a bit better on Linux. Ctrl + J for downloads in Chromium. Ctrl+ H for history. Ctrl + Tab to move through tabs. Ctrl + T for new tab. On Mac, they're very inconsistent.

Not because you can't learn Linux on Windows but because using Linux is usually a sign that the person is not afraid of a little discomfort, not afraid to learn more about the computer they use and willing to accept change and even willing to try new things.

Linux represents a different mindset than Windows and for me, it's very easy to tell who loves what he does and who doesn't, who loves a challenge and who doesn't, who can get stuff done in any situation and who doesn't. All because I used to be a Windows user and I can easily compare the mindset that went into justifying sticking to a difficult OS.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41391412

Points: 511

# Comments: 311