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  • Default button in dialog box

    From Martin S Taylor@hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS to uk.comp.sys.mac on Tue Jul 28 20:24:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    Starting, I think, in January 1984 (or even earlier) the standard modal dialog box had a default button, which was usually the rCyOKrCO button. In the black-and-white days it was marked with a heavy outline, and to click it you just hit rCyReturnrCO or rCyEnterrCO - you didnrCOt need to take your hands off the keyboard.

    When did this stop? What farkwit thought it was a good idea to remove it? Is there now *any* way to click the default button from the keyboard?

    Martin S Taylor

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  • From Old John@watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 06:39:54 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 28 Jul 2026 at 20:24:36 BST, "Martin S Taylor" <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:

    Starting, I think, in January 1984 (or even earlier) the standard modal dialog
    box had a default button, which was usually the rCyOKrCO button. In the black-and-white days it was marked with a heavy outline, and to click it you just hit rCyReturnrCO or rCyEnterrCO - you didnrCOt need to take your hands off the
    keyboard.

    When did this stop? What farkwit thought it was a good idea to remove it? Is there now *any* way to click the default button from the keyboard?

    Martin S Taylor

    I remember it well.

    It still works in places, here and there. Change is NOT always for the better. --
    God made the integers. All else is the work of man.
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  • From Bruce@07.013@scorecrow.com to uk.comp.sys.mac on Wed Jul 29 12:24:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

    On 28/07/2026 20:24, Martin S Taylor wrote:
    Starting, I think, in January 1984 (or even earlier) the standard modal dialog box had a default button, which was usually the rCyOKrCO button. In the black-and-white days it was marked with a heavy outline, and to click it you just hit rCyReturnrCO or rCyEnterrCO - you didnrCOt need to take your hands off the keyboard.

    When did this stop? What farkwit thought it was a good idea to remove it? Is there now *any* way to click the default button from the keyboard?

    Martin S Taylor


    It's been defaulted to "off" for a long time now.

    System Settings -> Keyboard -> Keyboard Navigation -> turn on

    Use the tab key to move through the active controls in the window. The currently selected button is indicated by the heavy outline you mentioned.

    Press spacebar to press the button.

    Shift tab to go backwards.

    It's very handy, I always have it turned on.
    --
    Bruce Horrocks
    Hampshire, England
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