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What could a switch possibly have in common with Apple’s boot Loader?

Switches and the Apple Boot Loader?

The (not so far fetched) connection is related to the Apple Option Key, which activates the boot loader if pressed during startup:

The Apple Option Key

After finally locating the key, I was intrigued on what exactly did the key’s pictogram represent, as I was struggling to find an “Option” meaning in it:

Option ??

Although I initially thought it could be some sort of alien character code, it actually represents an electric switch:

The Apple Option Key pictogram origin

I’m all for pictogramic-friendly keys, but in this case I think the user can be a bit lost, specially considering that the only text on the key is ‘alt’ (rather than ‘opt’ for example).

The Apple Command Key has an even more of a esoteric look, but in this case, it is labeled with ‘cmd’, which can help the less inspired users like me to find their way:

The Apple Command Key

Oh well, At least I will know what to draw if “option” or “command” pops up in the next Sunday evening Pictionary game…

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2 Responses to “Switches and the Mac OS X Boot Loader”
  1. Juan Valdes says:

    La similitud es que si no els pitjes no començas a fer la acciò associada o programada al moviment de cada dispositiu.

  2. Un cop coneixes l’origen, si que te la seva lògica…pero haurien de canviar el text per opt en lloc de alt…

    (la tecla es coneix com tecla d’opció…)

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