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
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