Boss key

A boss key, or boss button,[1] is a special keyboard shortcut used in PC games or other programs to hide the program quickly, possibly displaying a special screen that appears to be a normal productivity program (such as a spreadsheet application). One of the earliest implementations was by Friendlyware,[2] a suite of entertainment and general interest programs written in BASIC and sold with the original IBM AT and XT computers from 1982 to 1985. When activated (by pressing F10), an ASCII bar graph with generic "Productivity" and "Time" labels appeared. Pressing F10 again would return to the Friendlyware application.

  1. ^ "While the Boss Is Away . . ". New York Times. May 14, 1989. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "FriendlyWare P.C. Arcade". Retrieved October 9, 2009.