advanced keyboard remap : where to start

[ptoche]

I've asked this question elsewhere, but didn't get any replies, so I'll try here:

Before I start experimenting (and wasting precious time and possibly losing all my data and wrecking my machine), I'd like to get an opinion from keyboard remap freaks.

I'm not talking about disabling the caps-lock key. I don't believe you can use a computer if you haven't done that. (why do manufacturers persist in producing the caps-lock key!? end of rant).

I'm talking about advanced remapping here.

I use DVORAK as a base and don't remap any of the letters. However, I use a system whereby the keys to the right of the letter P on a QWERTY keyboard are mapped to those accents: ` and ´ in such a way that: to print the accents you press the key twice, while if you press it once followed by a letter it prints an accented letter, as in:

´ + a = á
` + a = à

or for more involved situations, for instance:

ALTGR + c = ç

and so on.

(why don't Europeans abolish accents altogether?! end of rant)

On Windows I use the freeware Sharpkeys for small jobs like disabling the caps-lock key, and the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator for big jobs. With the MKLC you can produce a registry modifier (extension .reg) which I can execute in any recent Windows machine I use and get my keyboard added to existing keyboards, in just a few seconds.

And so my question is: where should I get started for this?

Thanks!

P.S. Needless to say I have googled and found relevant information, but some of the info is outdated and most of it is concerned with small jobs like remapping the caps-lock key. I am currently using version 11.10.

[sithlord48]

Re: advanced keyboard remap : where to start

it sounds like you want to set up a compose key

http://www.hermit.org/Linux/ComposeKeys.html <- basic info on the key

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ComposeKey <- ubuntu specific info

http://userbase.kde.org/ComposeKey <- kde related set up

[oshunluvr]

Re: advanced keyboard remap : where to start

For other than compose key type key remapping, xmodmap is the simpliest choice. It is not GUI based thoug, some text editing is required.

I use xmodmap to reverse the | \ key because I use "pipe" more often than backslash and I do the same thing with tilde for the same reason.

[ptoche]

Re: advanced keyboard remap : where to start

thanks sithlord48 and oshunluvr, this is exactly what I need to get started, will get back if I encounter problems!

Patrick.