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Additional tip on emacs: swap the Ctrl and Caps keys. If you are on Mac, use Aquamacs because it allows you to use the option key instead of the control key,

Additional tip on emacs: swap the Ctrl and Caps keys. If you are on Mac, use Aquamacs because it allows you to use the option key instead of the control key, which is awkwardly positioned on both PC and Mac. If there was anything Sun got right in its workstation design, it was where they put the damn control key: next to your pinky, where it belongs.

trop 17y ago
Some people argue that swapping ctrl and caps isn't good. See http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_pinky.html http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_pinky.html. Xah Lee says use a good keyboard... Not sure if this is true. I'm perfectly happy using the control key by reaching down with my left pinky...
- d0mine 17y ago
  I find Xah Lee's arguments unconvincing. On a typical PC keyboard of today, the Caps Lock is the most difficult modifier key to press, and is pressed by the weakest finger pinky.</quote> On keyboards I've encountered Caps Lock is right on the left of an A key on the home row - it is easy to type it (and certainly easier than the Left Ctrl). It makes the left pinky do 2 pinkies's work.</quote> You press Caps Lock instead of Left Ctrl - the same work. It forces the left hand to strain into spider legs positions, or forces your right hand to flies about wildly if the letter key is near the middle of the keyboard (e.g. T, G, B).</quote> The standard practice is to press the Right Ctrl (right hand) + t,g,b (left hand) - no flying. It renders many Control-‹key› spots void, since now with only one pinky many otherwise good Ctrl-‹key› spots are hard to use.</quote> The Right Ctrl stays therefore there is no need to use only one pinky. The most frequently used Ctrl-<key> combinations in Emacs is point movement commands. Caps Lock makes it easier to type some of them e.g., C-n/p. The left hand now constantly shift from home position.</quote> See my comment to the first quote.
TJensen 17y ago
I wholeheartedly agree with swapping ctrl/caps. It also keeps other people from using my machines. :) Linux, Windoze, and Mac all have swapped ctrl keys. Personally, I use command and option as meta. I don't like Aquamacs, they make it just different enough from standard Emacs to be annoying.
alexkay 17y ago
> Additional tip on emacs: swap the Ctrl and Caps keys. Don't: http://xahlee.org/emacs/swap_CapsLock_Ctrl.html http://xahlee.org/emacs/swap_CapsLock_Ctrl.html

trop 17y ago

Some people argue that swapping ctrl and caps isn't good. See http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_pinky.html http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_pinky.html. Xah Lee says use a good keyboard... Not sure if this is true. I'm perfectly happy using the control key by reaching down with my left pinky...

d0mine 17y ago
I find Xah Lee's arguments unconvincing. On a typical PC keyboard of today, the Caps Lock is the most difficult modifier key to press, and is pressed by the weakest finger pinky.</quote> On keyboards I've encountered Caps Lock is right on the left of an A key on the home row - it is easy to type it (and certainly easier than the Left Ctrl). It makes the left pinky do 2 pinkies's work.</quote> You press Caps Lock instead of Left Ctrl - the same work. It forces the left hand to strain into spider legs positions, or forces your right hand to flies about wildly if the letter key is near the middle of the keyboard (e.g. T, G, B).</quote> The standard practice is to press the Right Ctrl (right hand) + t,g,b (left hand) - no flying. It renders many Control-‹key› spots void, since now with only one pinky many otherwise good Ctrl-‹key› spots are hard to use.</quote> The Right Ctrl stays therefore there is no need to use only one pinky. The most frequently used Ctrl-<key> combinations in Emacs is point movement commands. Caps Lock makes it easier to type some of them e.g., C-n/p. The left hand now constantly shift from home position.</quote> See my comment to the first quote.

TJensen 17y ago

I wholeheartedly agree with swapping ctrl/caps. It also keeps other people from using my machines. :) Linux, Windoze, and Mac all have swapped ctrl keys. Personally, I use command and option as meta. I don't like Aquamacs, they make it just different enough from standard Emacs to be annoying.

alexkay 17y ago

> Additional tip on emacs: swap the Ctrl and Caps keys. Don't: http://xahlee.org/emacs/swap_CapsLock_Ctrl.html http://xahlee.org/emacs/swap_CapsLock_Ctrl.html