RE: Re: Ilisp FSF key binding changes

From: Bob Rogers on Monday, May 19, 2003 9:12 PM
> Sorry for not noticing this sooner (I was away last weekend),
> but using C-g as a second character means that if you type 
> C-c and then change your mind, you need to type C-g twice to 
> cancel the prefix.  (If the C-g is not part of a valid key 
> sequence, of course, you only need to type it
> once.)  It's a minor inconvenience, but it would be 
> inconsistent with other modes, and that can be confusing.  
> Since there is no mnemonic value to C-g here, how about 
> choosing another character instead?  C-e for "extra"?  C-r 
> for "random"?  Both of these are suitable, because they are 
> typed with the same hand as C-c (so you don't have to change 
> control keys), but C-r has an edge, because it is typed with 
> a different finger.

Good point. Actually, there are only 6 alphabetic control keys that
haven't already been used by comint mode or as a prefix for ilisp/lisp
mode. The ones that can be used (in combination with C-c) are: C-f, C-g,
C-i, C-t, C-v, C-y. Since C-g is a bad choice for the reasons you
mentioned and C-i is TAB (which probably isn't a good combination to use
as a prefix), that leaves just C-f, C-t, C-v, C-y. The easiest one of
these to use is C-f so I'll change the "C-c C-g" bindings to "C-c C-f".

>    Which brings up another point:  If you are touch-typing a
> sequence of control characters on a standard keyboard, it 
> matters which hand(s) you need.  Typing "C-c C-g p" is 
> actually easier than "C-c C-g C-p" because you touch-type 
> "C-g" using the right control key, and "C-p" using the left 
> control key.  So there doesn't seem to be a general metric 
> for what's easier to type; it depends on how you type it.  
> But other than that, I'm afraid I don't have time now to 
> explore the implications . . .

Andreas, Hannu and Edi feel that the 3-control key sequence is easier to
use since you don't have to pause to release the control key before
pressing the 3rd key (in many instances). I disagreed at first, but have
come around to their way of thinking on this. Edi has suggested that the
action-and-go commands be moved from the "C-c C-key1 M-key2" bindings to
"C-c C-key1 key2" since this is an easier sequence to press than
switching from control to meta. I tend to agree with that as well and
will change those commands to the "C-c C-key1 key2" pattern.

Thanks,
Bill


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