Replacing the Windows key with a Linux/Tux key...

Annon Kaies Zi · Post by **Annon Kaies Zi** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:27 am

I am going to get a Dell Inspiron 700m laptop soon, and I plan to run Linux on it (probably Slackware). I have searched a few places and couldn't find this, but I was wondering if there was a place where I could buy a replacement key for the Dell laptop. I wanted to replace the Windows key with a Tux one (for obvious reasons).

I have found some keyboards that you can buy with the Tux key, but I am going to be using a laptop. So I was just wondering if there was a replacement key sold somewhere for Dell laptops. If not I suppose I could always attempt to make my own...but I'm lazy and would rather buy it from someone else.

Clicky - Here is a link to one of the keyboards I have found with a Tux key. This is just an example as to what I am looking for.

Memo · Post by **Memo** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:44 am

Why would you want to do that? It seems like a waste of money to change a keyboard just because the symbol of one key doesn't apply.

FireAza · Post by **FireAza** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:44 am

Pull off the key and draw a little doodle of a penguin on it, simple

pc486 · Post by **pc486** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:40 am

Memo, this is a "because we can" thing

.

Anywho, FireAza's suggestion makes a bit of sense. Replacing a key on a Dell laptop is a difficult and delicate proceedure. Most other laptops are the same way.

Here's what I'd do: buy some black model paint (or whatever color your keyboard is), clear-coat, and some decal paper (aka waterslide). Paint over the old marking and let it dry. In the mean time get a nice high res raster or a SVG version of Tux. Print that out in the color(s) you want onto the decal paper. Cut out it, soak it, and apply the decal. Once that sets apply a few clear-coats to protect your new key and you're set. This is a somewhat long project because you're dealing with paints and decals but if you do it right you'll get great results

. While you're at it you can also mark the Enter key with "Any Key", add a panic button, re-name ESC to Meta, and all sorts of things

.

workmad3 · Post by **workmad3** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 8:35 am

I've seen sets of keys to stick on a keyboard marked panic and eject before, but as its a laptop, I dont think you can really do that.

And wouldn't it be better to rename Alt to Meta rather than esc as esc is only really used as meta on kbs without alt?

sounds like a fun project to do though, customising your laptop to make it a full linux laptop

if you do it post pics up once its done

Aerdan · Post by **Aerdan** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:17 am

Most Linux distributions have esc working as alt by default; those with setmetamode as a command can have meta set to the Windows/meta key instead.

Deacon · Post by **Deacon** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:23 pm

[quote="Annon Kaies Zi";p="540869"]I wanted to replace the Windows key with a Tux one (for obvious reasons).[/quote]
One of us is ignorant, and I don't think it's me. So go ahead and explain what these "obvious reasons" are for undertaking such an effort.

edge · Post by **edge** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:50 pm

I'd do the same for my Linux box, if anyone ever saw it but me. Just for asthetic purposes. It'd be cool on a laptop since it's more likely that a lot of people will see it, but personally it seems like a lot of troubble to go to if you can't find a pre-fab Tux key cheap.

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:59 pm

Why not just try this on for size?

http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/ ... _07131058/

-= indy =-

Annon Kaies Zi · Post by **Annon Kaies Zi** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 6:52 pm

[quote="Deacon";p="541068"][quote="Annon Kaies Zi";p="540869"]I wanted to replace the Windows key with a Tux one (for obvious reasons).[/quote]
One of us is ignorant, and I don't think it's me. So go ahead and explain what these "obvious reasons" are for undertaking such an effort.[/quote]

The obvious reason I was refering to was the fact that the Windows key doesn't suit a laptop running Linux, yet a Tux key does. Not necessarily that it is obvious to try and change the key. If that made any sense.

Anyways, I will probably do it myself (with the paint and decal method) if I can't find a replacement key (which, at the time, doesn't seem likely). Doing the whole keyboard would be painful though. Hehe. I will post pictures after changing the key, which won't be the most exciting. I wonder how hard it would really be to change the whole thing though...

[quote="Indy";p="541106"]Why not just try this on for size?

http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/ ... _07131058/[/quote]

I remember seeing that on the Half-Life Fallout forums a little while ago. It's a really cool keyboard and would work perfectly for this situation...if I were running Linux on a desktop. Hehe.

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 8:32 pm

Oh.. I see... you're looking for a replacement for your new laptops built-in windows key. I thought you were looking for a replacement for an external keyboard for it. heh

Well, good luck to you then!
-= indy =-

Rileyrat · Post by **Rileyrat** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:34 am

That keyboard is sick, but it's not out yet...

StruckingFuggle · Post by **StruckingFuggle** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:43 am

That's awesome. :O

How much is one of those things supposed to cost?

Rileyrat · Post by **Rileyrat** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:34 am

Everything I read said "low cost" and "affordable" but then again they tag new vid cards as that.

FireAza · Post by **FireAza** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:06 am

It's using OLED. Basically, it's a regular keyboard with fancy LEDs on each key. I guess it depends on what manufacturing method they're using to make the OLEDs.

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