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Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

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11–20 of 27 posts

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#11

> ^QJ is goto line How does that work in every program?

I believe that "^" in this context signifies Caps Lock as its own modifier, distinct from Control. If you've already remapped Caps Lock to Control (or Esc if that's your thing), this scheme won't work without some modification.

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#12
From my memory: ^Y delete line / ^KB & ^KK block begin & end / ^KC & ^KY block copy & delete / "c^PH," for the "ç" character / etc.

I started using these keys on WordStar 3.3 and TurboPascal 3. I probably haven't used these keys for decades, but it's funny how they're engraved in my brain.

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#13

> ^QJ is goto line How does that work in every program?

It remaps it to Ctrl-G, which won't work in every program, but is a fairly standard shortcut in text editors.

xkb: https://github.com/berwynhoyt/wordstar-keys/blob/main/xkb/ws...

xremap: https://github.com/berwynhoyt/wordstar-keys/blob/main/xremap...

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#14

> Arrow keys are the bane of keyboard life. You constantly have to lift your hands off the touch-typing home keys to move around your software file Or you can purchase a programmable keyboard with customizable chords such as an Ergodox keyboard.

Not on laptops unless you use them with an external monitor and mouse.

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#16
> Wordstar cursor control keys are the answer. They let you move your cursor all around your file using intuitive motion keys that are activated simply by holding down capslock while you press them.

They aren't a good answer, we can do better

Capslock is a bad prefix, it's a lateral pinky key, why not use a thumb key like right alt?

> ^Q acts as a prefix,

That's another pinky bad one

> ^E/^X moves up/down

But JK exist and are on the home row! Or use inverted T, that's still be better as for 3 cursor keys out of 4 you wouldn't need to shift fingers

> ^KY yank (i.e. cut) block

Parenthesesized explanation suggests little benefit from this unclear naming mnemonic, so better to either use the more widespread X to rely on muscle memory or a better located key vs a diagonal one (which X also accidentaly is)

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#17
post #14

> Arrow keys are the bane of keyboard life. You constantly have to lift your hands off the touch-typing home keys to move around your software file Or you can purchase a programmable keyboard with customizable chords such as an Ergodox keyboard.

Not on laptops unless you use them with an external monitor and mouse.

In theory you might be able to remap things in software using ex. keyd, though I haven't played with it enough to comment with confidence. Though I do agree that programmable keyboard firmware would be better.

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#19

From my memory: ^Y delete line / ^KB & ^KK block begin & end / ^KC & ^KY block copy & delete / "c^PH," for the "ç" character / etc. I started using these keys on WordStar 3.3 and TurboPascal 3. I probably haven't used these keys for decades, but it's funny how they're engraved in my brain.

I have been stubbornly avoiding 'vi' and have been using 'joe' as my main *nix editor for the past 30 years. Because I cut my computing teeth on Wordstar and Turbo Pascal, and those key sequences are hardwired in my brain.

Re: Wordstar-keys: Implement wordstar cursor control keys in Linux using xkb

#20

I only know Wordstar as being the text editor GRR Martin uses to write on his DOS machine: https://www.theverge.com/2014/5/14/5716232/george-r-r-martin...

Wordstar was the dominant word processor because it was designed from the ground up to be as portable as possible, which made it available on a wide variety of 80s home computers, particularly those running CP/M. Eventually that portability came to hurt it, because eventually everyone was running DOS, and Wordstar couldn't take advantage of DOS's unique environment, and so WordPerfect came along and ate its lunch.

> couldn't take advantage of DOS's unique environment

In what sense? I came from a CP/M environment, and Wordstar transferred just fine to DOS.

Funnily enough, I tried Word Perfect and Word for DOS at about the same time. Word's way of doing things just made sense to me, while Word Perfect was always 'that weird word processor'. At the time, I was in the minority, but I guess I've been vindicated by history.

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