Re: RE: [Ilisp-devel] Re: Using Emacs as a Lisp IDE

Bob Rogers <[email protected]> Tue, 15 Jul 2003 23:12:18 -0400
Newsgroups gmane.lisp.ilisp.general,gmane.lisp.ilisp.devel
Message-ID <[email protected]>
   From: Nikodemus Siivola <[email protected]>
   Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 17:56:58 +0300

   IMHO, the main value for keybinding documentation is easing the
   learning curve . . .  Also, during the early learning stages a list
   of keybindings is a good learning tool as it is pretty much
   equivalent to "frequently used commands".

I agree; think of it as a "cheat sheet," Bill.

   I've used emacs for a few years, but "C-h m" isn't something I yet do by
   reflex. I probably should, but I'm only bringing this up to illustrate
   that overcoming emacs-cluelessness is a long-term project for at least
   some of it's users.

Although I use C-h m frequently, I still find lists of command bindings
useful.  Recall that C-h m lists bindings alphabetically, with it's own
rules for how to alphabetize prefix combinations, so a cheat sheet that
is topically organized does have some value-added of its own.

   That said, I can most certainly understand you reluctance to maintain
   multiple sets of documentation...

   Hence I'd suggest mentioning the "C-h m" &co under "Keybindings" in
   the Ilisp documentation. Or maybe a "Short Guide to Developing with
   Ilisp" would be the correct solution.

I would like to suggest a topically-organized index of commands with key
bindings.  What I liked about the Web page is that it showed all three
sets of bindings -- original, old FSF, and your proposal -- in parallel.
We'd only need two now -- "standard" and "traditional" -- but I think
it's still a good idea to document both, especially since switching
bindings modes in order to do "C-h m" is onerous.

					-- Bob Rogers
					   http://rgrjr.dyndns.org/


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