Under Windows 4.5.3 is does not appear possible to select multiple photos in the contact sheet with the keyboard. I think it would be very helpful if one could select by using the ctrl key + cursor keys.
My UI "philosophy" is that as much as possible should be able done at the keyboard because lifting one's hand to manipulate a mouse is an inefficient movement (unless there is no reasonable keyboard alternative e.g. selecting a crop area). In addition, keyboard commands can be recorded and assigned to input devices as macros, while mouse movements cannot. I think this is very consistent with making PM fast.
Deven