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WannaGetShreddedBruh t1_jcjtn7q wrote

This might be a stupid question, but what is a blocker?

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ZobeidZuma t1_jcjzfnd wrote

AFAIK a blocker fills out the extra space where the Win/Cmd/Super key would be on a winkeyless layout. Because having one less key to use is cool somehow.

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DiplomacyPunIn10Did t1_jckwo2b wrote

That's one type of blocker, and it's less common in 65% layouts. It's not about having "one less key" so much as following an older IBM-inspired keyboard layout. Vintage-esque fashion, if you will.

For 65s, though, the blockers are usually either immediately to the left of the arrows or at the very top-right.

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Eicr-5 t1_jcl0bj7 wrote

This is the actual correct answer. Contrasted to a 65 no/blocker which had 3 right side mods that go right up against the arrows. Like the tofu65 keyboards

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mintnoises t1_jck0eom wrote

This is the correct answer.

As to why? Everyone has their own reason whether that be aesthetics, not hitting the win key accidentally, not having a need for it, etc

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BlackMoth27 t1_jckjb8f wrote

>not having need for it

only applies for using the default layout. You can use the win key for anything if you have qmk, having it act as function is nice.

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mintnoises t1_jebna7p wrote

not trying to refute anyone, just simply stating that people have a plethora of reasons & it is their prerogative. whats one more key removal when we have infinite renditions of 1% to 100%

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BlackMoth27 t1_jecjzo9 wrote

I mean it is true that every layout has pros and cons, but i've always had a win key for shortcuts even on linux when i used that, it was helpful. More so when it's not stuck being windows bitch. If the keyboard has a capslock that is still capslock, i find it super ironic that you'd give up on the other useless key, i guess pick your key

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mintnoises t1_jed3th3 wrote

Again, I'm not here to debate anything. I just answered the comment above.

If people wanna get chuffed about WKL, go ahead. Every key is useless when you ask 40's users. Who - the - frick - cares 🤌🏼 just do what you want. It's your keyboard.

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BlackMoth27 t1_jeewca8 wrote

Yes no debate, only winkey less makes no sense, agreed.

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Saundotorakku t1_jck9v1g wrote

Well it’s either that or some of us will just disable the windows key. I’d rather just not have it at all if possible.

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HypotheticalRicotta t1_jcke30c wrote

What do you do if you need that key? Do you map capslock to super? Also, what operating system do you use?

I've been curious about this. I'm not on windows but couldn't make the switch because I still need all three modifiers for various shortcuts in the software I work in everyday.

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ZobeidZuma t1_jckfyup wrote

If you are on a Mac, you need that key, since the Mac uses Command (⌘) for most of the same shortcuts that other operating systems use Control for. But, the Mac also uses the Control key for its traditional purposes on the command line.

If you are on Linux, historically it doesn't use the Super key for anything, although some distros have recently started using it to call up the main system menu. Which I think is a huge mistake, and I disabled that function on my system! I like to use Super as a modifier for all my own global shortcuts, like workspace and window management. It shouldn't conflict with any shortcuts in applications.

On Windows. . . Well, I guess you need that functionality somewhere on your keyboard, but I think the bottom row is an awful place for it. I'd remap it to somewhere else if at all possible. Or maybe there's another key combo that will do the same function, but I dunno, I don't use Windows much.

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HypotheticalRicotta t1_jcksqkz wrote

That's pretty interesting. I would have assumed that the key would be pretty important to windows, but if it's basically reserved for the start menu and hardly ever used for shortcuts I can definitely see that being annoying. On a mac it's a 2-key combo to do what the win key does on windows, so you're never worried about accidental clicks.

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Bierdigan_ t1_jclayqu wrote

I personally use the windows key to launch programs, so I use it a ton and like where it is. I only accidentally hit it when I'm starting to fall asleep in my chair lol. I accidentally hit caps all the time but I like the idea of mapping windows to it so might give that a try

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ReaperofFish t1_jckuofc wrote

On Linux, the Windows key is a meta, and often gets bound to similar shortcuts that you would use on Windows in most Desktops.

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Saundotorakku t1_jckeuw5 wrote

I primarily use windows and have only ever accidentally used the Windows key. On the keyboards I use that have the key, I remap it to play/pause my music player.

If you need to use the function of that key and are using a WKL, you could just map it to your second layer in VIA on another key.

Or swap to another keyboard that has one 😉

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satanshoesfriend t1_jclmsdy wrote

Oh, I thought it referred to the space between the right ctrl and the left arrow key? Like a kbd67 vs a tofu65

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PencilcasePenetrator t1_jcjuapi wrote

Want to know too! My guess is that's what spaces the arrow Keys from the Rest

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M44t_ t1_jcjzw33 wrote

I have a kbd67 and I think it is the plastic thing in the bottom row separating the FN key and the left arrow (in my case)

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ReaperofFish t1_jcktpak wrote

I the case of a 65% (or 75%) there is only 3u between a 6.25u space bar and the arrow keys. So you can either have two 1.25u (normal sized) modifiers and have .5u of space left over, have 3 1u modifiers, or 2 1.5u keys. If you opt just two 1.25u keys, you need a blocker to fill that empty space.

It is mostly a matter of aesthetics though cap compatibility could play a role.

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sunfaller t1_jcl4sed wrote

I know it's been answered by examples already but a blocker is anything that would block a space for a key wherever it is on the keyboard.

only done for aesthetics sake.

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