Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!yale!Ram-Ashwin From: Ram-Ashwin@cs.yale.edu (Ashwin Ram) Newsgroups: comp.emacs Subject: Re: function-keymap: criticism Message-ID: <28889@yale-celray.yale.UUCP> Date: 11 May 88 19:44:05 GMT References: <8805071503.AA06117@EDDIE.MIT.EDU> Sender: root@yale.UUCP Reply-To: Ram-Ashwin@cs.yale.edu (Ashwin Ram) Organization: Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-2158 Lines: 31 In-reply-to: "SDRRTR::SDRRTR::MRGATE::\"MRGATE::PSI%SCRVX2::BLUE::IN%\"davis@blue.sdr.slb.COM\"\""@sdr.slb.COM In article <8805071503.AA06117@EDDIE.MIT.EDU>, "SDRRTR::SDRRTR::MRGATE::\"MRGATE::PSI%SCRVX2::BLUE::IN%\"davis writes: > 5) Why, oh why, is M-[ bound to backward-paragraph. How many > keyboards with function keys are there that *do not* use this > as an escape sequence ? Especially given the ANSI standard for > cursor arrows...... I use M-p and M-n for backward/forward-paragraph. M-[ has the disadvantage you mentioned; besides, M-p and M-n are a lot more mnemonic ("bigger" versions of C-p and C-n, the usual upward and downward motion commands). > My experience > of GNU so far has been that most experienced users don't > really care about function keys, whilst most beginners, faced > with `C-M-cokebottle-ESC-c C-x g' tend to reach for F1. This > should be sorted out. I never use function keys because it slows me down. I find it a lot faster to hit a control key (right there at my finger tips) rather than reach across for a special key (involves looking down at the terminal), hit the key, and bring your hand back to typing position. Besides, I can never remember which function key does what. My feeling is that beginners will use whatever they are given. I know GNU beginners who don't use function keys because that's what they learned from me. The complexity of customizing function keys is also a deterrent to the beginner. -- Ashwin. ARPA: Ram-Ashwin@cs.yale.edu UUCP: {decvax,ucbvax,harvard,cmcl2,...}!yale!Ram-Ashwin BITNET: Ram@yalecs