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by Chris Snyder

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Use two Command keys in OS X when using a PC keyboard.
When using OS X with a Dell PC keyboard, the Command modifier maps to the Windows key and Option maps to Alt. But as compared to a Macintosh keyboard, these keys are swapped. Mac users expect the Command key to be next to the spacebar. Because it is the universal modifier key, it needs to be right under your thumb.
If you just swap the keys, and use Alt for Command, you may find that you keep hitting the Windows key anyway — especially on a small keyboard — because the Windows glyph looks a lot like the Command glyph. On a mini9, even with the keys switched, I hit the wrong one often enough for it to be a problem.
It’s actually astounding how big a difference this makes for me, but since there’s no option key your mileage may vary. Option is used as a secondary modifier (typically to shortcut more advanced or expert commands) and it initiates old-school (Mac OS 9) special character sequences. I find the Edit > Special Character menu to be more convenient, but that’s mostly because I never learned the Option codes.

Use two Command keys in OS X when using a PC keyboard.

When using OS X with a Dell PC keyboard, the Command modifier maps to the Windows key and Option maps to Alt. But as compared to a Macintosh keyboard, these keys are swapped. Mac users expect the Command key to be next to the spacebar. Because it is the universal modifier key, it needs to be right under your thumb.

If you just swap the keys, and use Alt for Command, you may find that you keep hitting the Windows key anyway — especially on a small keyboard — because the Windows glyph looks a lot like the Command glyph. On a mini9, even with the keys switched, I hit the wrong one often enough for it to be a problem.

It’s actually astounding how big a difference this makes for me, but since there’s no option key your mileage may vary. Option is used as a secondary modifier (typically to shortcut more advanced or expert commands) and it initiates old-school (Mac OS 9) special character sequences. I find the Edit > Special Character menu to be more convenient, but that’s mostly because I never learned the Option codes.