Re: Help configuring a keyboard for Emacs

[Robert Thorpe]

Juan Herrera <juan.herrero.diaz@gmail.com> writes:

> Hello, I'm new to Emacs and I have trouble using its keybindings. I
> have a regular keyboard and the Control key is far away from the rest
> of the keys so it's difficult to press the keyboard shortcuts easily.
>
> How do you configure and press keys on your keyboard? Could you
> explain which fingers (also left or right hand) you use to press
> things like C-f, C-M-a, etc.? Do you use a standard keyboard or
> something special?

* Modifiers with the other hand.

It is often easiest to press the main key and the modifier key with
different hands.  For example, it can be easiest to press C-w by
pressing ctrl with your right hand.

* Using ESC and C-[ instead of Alt.

Remember That escape is also meta.  If you use alt then you have to
press hold it down.  On the other hand, ESC is a prefix.  So, you can do
C-M-a by pressing ESC then C-a.  Also, C-[ does the same as ESC (with
standard keybindings).  That means you can to C-M-a by pressing C-[ C-a,
of course you can hold down ctrl doing that.  This is how I press the
combinations that require ctrl and meta myself.

* Remapping Caps-Lock.

I don't do this, but lots of people do.  You can swap caps-lock and
ctrl.  Or, you can just make caps-lock another ctrl.  (I've also heard
of people remapping tab to ctrl and remapping caps-lock to alt).

* Pressing ctrl with the palm.

I do this.  You can press ctrl using the part of your palm next to the
4th finger.  At least it's possible on desktop keyboards.  Some people
find this difficult.

BR,
Robert Thorpe