I'm getting the impression that Windows 8 is just about totally
unusable unless you have a Windows Key. I do not, and I don't care to
give up my beloved clicky IBM keybord just to get one.


You don't have to give up the clicky feel. That's called bucking spring
technology and there's a company that still makes keyboards using it and
also have a Windows key

http://pckeyboard.com

--
Tom Lake