Save the Open Apple key (or should we?)

I have always felt that the idea of key names spelled out is quite curious. When throughout the UI only the symbols exist. Having word instead of symbols continues to complicate the matter of keyboard shortcuts for switchers. I would like to see the symbols added to:
• Return
• Back-Delete
• Escape
• Shift
• Control
• Option
• Tab
• Caps Lock
How many times have seen these symbols in the UI and known instinctively what they meant? Now how many of us have had to try to explain the meanings to non-power users. If we're going to complain (which I think we would do regardless) why not use the voice of reason instead of the voice of nostalgia.

Finally if I were to complain about The Keyboard on stylistic and nostalgic grounds I would note the alignment move. Apple switched from the traditional left aligned (valign: bottom) letters, symbols, and words to a significantly less pleasing modified* center aligned (valign: center).

*(modified because the function keys are right aligned (valign: bottom) and the modifiers and friends are mirror aligned (valign: bottom)

1) Yeah, instead of removing the , they should've put ^ on Ctrl (who decided that icon anyway????)

2) As mentioned, the petition started in Germany. 'Apfel+F' sounds a LOT friendlier than 'Command+F' or 'Befehlstaste+F', which sounds like totally annoying nerdspeak to me. It also doesn't wear off the Apple brand because well, it's 'Apfel', not 'Apple'. ;) I guess I'll have to switch to 'Klee+F' (Klee = clover).

I'm glad it's gone. It causes a lot of confusion among switchers.

I'm a fairly recent switcher (about 3 years ago) and I'm also a proficient computer user. I remember how confusing the Apple/Command key duality was. I kept thinking "there must be *some* reason for having both symbols on that key," but eventually I realized that there just isn't. The command key is always referred to as the command key, or using the command symbol.

What we should *really* be lobbying Apple for as far as keyboard improvements go is to add the option and control symbols (the ones that appear in menus) to their respective keys. It took me quite a while to memorize what they meant, and I still find myself requiring attentive thought to figure them out pretty often. This stuff is a major turn-off to switchers.

The apple on the command key is a legacy of the Apple IIGS and we should all be glad it is removed. The key is the command key, and having multiple names for the same key is confusing and hard to use.

Ever looked at a keyboard designed for the Mac but built by Kensington or somebody like that? They have the command symbol but not the Apple, because the Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc. and they couldn't use it. This makes it easier to teach people using third-party keyboards with Macs. Which is a good thing.

I agree with the posters who said the other symbols (esc, control, option, shift) should be on those keys. It makes sense.

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh . . .

What's that sound? Oh, it's a bunch of losers with nothing better to do whining about something that doesn't matter. If you're looking at a keyboard while you're typing, then you're not typing right.

Here in Mexico I'll miss the term "manzanita". It was good.

@ meganblogs: Why is it important, please explain.

I'm sorry, but I've always thought the Apple key was a terrible idea, what function is "Apple" supposed to perform, not that tab makes any more sense, but seriously, what does fruit have to do with typing? -- Zip!

Happy it's gone.

Hell ya they should keep it. It's one of the things that makes Apple unique, and if the new adopters can't appreciate that--sorry, too bad. Those of us that have been around Macs since 1984 get why it's important. Also, if you look at the info Apple has on their iMac page, they say "Every detail matters." Shouldn't this detail matter??