Conventions for modifier keys in keyboard shortcuts

That was interesting. I've often wondered if it would be possible to ditch the current keyboard layouts and start from zero.

If I had to do that, my initial approach would probably be letters + a certain number of modifier keys. Each one would roughly correspond to a "level": System/OS, application, content, text... So hitting "System+x" would make your OS do something (like killing the application), "App+x" would make your application do something (like opening a new tab), "Content+x" would make your content do something (web apps would probably use those). Of course, in real life, after two years it would basically be "all combinations that make sense are taken, so grab whichever is still available", but oh well, in the end you have to memorize them anyways so it's no use trying to enforce specific rules.