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Re: ESC vs Meta for shifted keys
From: |
Bob Proulx |
Subject: |
Re: ESC vs Meta for shifted keys |
Date: |
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 22:13:19 -0600 |
User-agent: |
Mutt/1.9.4 (2018-02-28) |
Emanuel Berg wrote:
> Bob Proulx wrote:
> > I use both interchangeably all of the time.
> > And so does anyone using an XTerm with "Meta
> > sends ESC" configured even if they never hit
I should emphasize that that first sentence. I do so interchangeably
all of the time.
Because Control should be the key left of the A key I always remap
the Capslock to be Control. This makes control as convenient as
possible. I sometimes use Alt for meta. I sometimes use ESC before
the key for meta. I sometimes use C-[ (both pinky fingers in action)
to easily produce an ESC. I use all three at different times.
> Here is how to disable caps and do something
> else with it in X:
>
> setxkbmap -option caps:none # disable caps lock
> xmodmap -e 'keycode 66=a' # rebind CAPS (66)
I don't want to disable the key. I simply remap capslock into a
control key.
> > The symbolics keyboard actually had
> > a *different* arrow set than has become
> > standard. The current "standard" comes from
> > the ADM-3a.
I shouldn't have mentioned that part. It was extra information as "an
aside". Because I thought it was interesting information. But I see
it has just sent this discussion thread "off into the weeds".
> >
> > https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/lear-siegler-adm3a-terminal-keyboard-t11780.html
>
> ... The Escape key
> on that keyboard isn't current, it is much
> closer which is probably why it was more
> popular for this purpose on those keyboards.
Yes. That was the point I was making.
> The arrow set (h, j, k, l) is close to there
> right hand, but somewhat unintuitive with ups
> and downs, or at least not as intuitive as it
> could be.
During that era different terminal vendors produced different keyboard
layouts. They were all different. That was annoying.
> I think the arrow keys are best placed as:
>
> i = up
> j = left k = down l = right
Or a=left, s=down, d=right, w=up as has been common in other software.
(This will be immediately recognizable to many. You mention that
pattern further down.) Or perhaps C-s=left, C-d=right, C-w=up,
C-x=down. (Others will recognize that set immediately too.)
However because of vi/vim and less and other software the most popular
combinations of keys has been h, j, k, l however.
> My first computer was a Mac Plus and the games
> there, like Lode Runner, this was used - for
> Dark Castle it was correspondingly w, a, s,
> d because with the right hand, one aimed the
> rock throwing arm with the mouse.
> This reappeared much later in 3D games such as
> Quake btw.
Yes. Designed for left hand on keyboard and right hand on mouse.
That was also a common pattern for many CAD/EDA drawing programs I
have used over the years.
> Anyway I think the i, j, k, l set is the best
> at is is close and intuitive. In many
> applications, e.g. for viewing images and PDF
> documents, I have implemented it, and in Emacs
> I use it for Emacs-w3m, scrolling [1], and
> so on.
Awesome. I don't think I will convert though. And just to throw some
more random info into here I will note that the i3 window manager
default keys are j, k, l, ;, which are the same as h, j, k, l but
shifted to the right one key because the i3 author feels that the home
row of keys without moving the hand should be used. Same logic but a
different result. It doesn't convert me either. :-)
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-cadet_keyboard
>
> Ha! I can't see anything on that photo.
> Where are the Escape and arrow keys?!
In case others can't pick it out the image is here:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Space-cadet.jpg
I never used this keyboard in real life and so only have the photo to
go upon. The arrow keys are g=up, h=down, j=left, k=right. I don't
see an Escape key anywhere on it. Perhaps someone who used it might
know and comment. That would be awesome. It's quite the keyboard.
Bob
- Re: ESC vs Meta for shifted keys, (continued)
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