[dolphin] [Bug 465489] Can no longer unassign "space" from activating selection mode

[akb825]

https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=465489

--- Comment #2 from akb825 <akb825 at gmail.com> ---
> Space would select the first file, not toggle the selection. One couldn't de-select a file with
> Space, but only with Ctrl+Space.

My mistake, other threads mentioned toggling, though I primarily use it for
selection without needing to toggle so I wasn't sure about that distinction.

> Do you think you could get used to pressing Ctrl+Space the same way you got used to pressing
> Space to select the first file in a file listing?

Given enough time I probably could. I double checked that this also works in
Windows, which is my primary concern: I often swap back and forth between
Windows and KDE and it's disruptive to have that muscle memory disrupted.
(similar to the recent issue where Shift + Delete defaulted to cancel)

> I also think that selecting the first file in a folder isn't really a general enough task to warrant
> having the most easily triggerable keyboard  shortcut. After all, if one wants to act on any file
> other than the first, the arrow keys to go there will already select the file in the process. Does
> this make sense to you?

In my experience selecting the first file is quite common. For example,
sometimes directory structures are mandated by tools and lead to a lot of
directories with a single element. If you're iterating on a file it may often
be first if you're sorting by modification time. Overall, when looking at the
window, it's straight-forward to say "this is third to the right, so press
right three times", but if it's first and there's no easy shortcut it gets very
awkward.

> Another question: A lot of users want to have a quick preview feature similar to Apple's Mac's
> Finder's QuickLook feature, that is also bound to Space there. Would you be opposed to having
> that on the Space key?

I personally wouldn't use such a feature. However, I understand that others who
use often switch between macOS and KDE would very much want to avoid
interrupting their muscle memory the same way I'm more familiar with the
Windows shortcuts. If this were configurable, perhaps even with a set of common
defaults that are more Mac-like, Windows-like, or KDE-native then each group
could be happy.

> Well, the person who created that (Popov) disliked the selection mode in every shape and marked
> the selection mode feature with a dislike button even before it was assigned to any keyboard
> shortcut. He is now lobbying against this on reddit and writes passive aggressive comments to me.
> I don't really think that discussion points to many people having an issue with the new behaviour.
> Everyone I talked with about the Space shortcut so far didn't know that they could simply use the
> Ctrl+Space shortcut instead which is more generally useful anyway because it also allows de-selecting.

My intent here was more to show that there was interest apart from me in at
least having a path to the old behavior. I saw the other ticket he created
requesting a way to fully disable selection mode (I didn't realize when I
posted the link that it was the same person), and explicitly decided against
adding this to that ticket because the discussion devolved quite quickly.

To give a constructive argument for my own thoughts on the matter, many have
created muscle memory from using other systems over the course of decades. It
may take days, weeks, or even longer to fully get used to a new routine, and
causes a lot of friction if you need to switch between OSs for various tasks.
In this specific case an alternative (Ctrl+Space) is available that works
across both Dolphin and Windows, though obviously many aren't aware of this
alternative. While you've been able to inform myself and some others about this
alternative, it does demonstrate that it's a common issue. For those who have
this muscle memory and aren't aware of the alternative, they will leave with
the impression that Dolphin is clunky and awkward - not because it's a bad
feature or not useful, but because it doesn't do what they expect based on
years of using other systems. Only a few will generally speak out about it
(even if some are a bit overly vocal...), though it may leave a bad impression
nonetheless.

For me personally, I don't see myself using the selection mode. I try to use
the keyboard to navigate when possible, and when selecting arbitrary files with
a mouse am used to the modifier keys. However, I do see that others may find it
very useful and streamline their workflows, especially if they incorporate the
mouse more in their file browsing, and it doesn't bother me having it be
present so long as it doesn't get in the way. Configurability is one of the
strong points of KDE, and one of the big reasons why I can't stand GNOME. While
it may add some extra complexity, it may help offer a smoother experience
overall to allow space to be remapped, especially if those more familiar with
macOS would prefer a QuickLook feature mapped to space.

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