Using winkey et al as modifier / compose keys

noranthon · 02-18-2007, 06:20 PM

I'd like to set up the winkeys to be of some use. Evidently, you can make one the "compose" key, whatever that means: see this page which is as incomprehensible as the best Linux documentation. I tried "xev" but could not make head or tail of the output.

So, I tried to find out which key number (keycode?) is assigned to each winkey. "showkey -k" got this:

Quote:

$ showkey -k
kb mode was RAW
[ if you are trying this under X, it might not work
since the X server is also reading /dev/console ]

KDSKBMODE: Operation not permitted

Don't try showkey -m. It can't be stopped with Ctrl+C and if you close the console in desperation, numerous other windows open instead.

/etc/X11/Xmodmap:

Quote:

!
! This is the "Xmodmap" file for Standard Keyboards with Windows keys.
!
! If you want to have other keymappings for special X-Terminals, just
! create a "Xmodmap.${DISPLAY}" file with the according changes.
!

keycode 22 = BackSpace
keycode 115 = F13
keycode 117 = Menu

Since I don't have "special X-Terminals" (at least, I hope I don't), I suppose I could add to this file. (Or is that too easy?) But I still have to know what number to use and how to describe the keys and to assign insertion of various symbols to various keybindings.

How do I find out the codes of keys, assign a meaning to a keycode and subsequently assign symbols to various key combinations? I looked at the files mentioned in this old post but found nothing illuminating. All other previous posts I could find were too cryptic or not on point. Onk and major head scratch.

johngreenwood · 02-18-2007, 06:32 PM

What do you want it to do?
To use xev is very easy, just run it and look for this when pressing the windows key.

Code:

KeyPress event, serial 28, synthetic NO, window 0x2200001,
    root 0x3f, subw 0x0, time 955730, (392,-358), root:(402,257),
    state 0x10, keycode 115 (keysym 0xffeb, Super_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2200001,
    root 0x3f, subw 0x0, time 955831, (392,-358), root:(402,257),
    state 0x50, keycode 115 (keysym 0xffeb, Super_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:

In there you can see the keycode for my windows key is 115, this is the code you need for xmodmap.

noranthon · 02-19-2007, 12:40 AM

Thanks. Some other key was recorded at the same time but I've confirmed the number with repeated presses. Now what? I just add a line to Xmodmap:

Code:

keycode 115 = Multi_key

? That can't be right; it's never that simple.

EDIT: No. It's not that simple. You are limited to /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/locale/iso8859-1/Compose - so you need to alter that to include characters you want.

And what's this "dead key" business?

johngreenwood · 02-19-2007, 08:48 AM

I'm afraid I can't help you there, sorry. I only know how to make it bring up the kmenu.

Emerson · 02-19-2007, 09:12 AM

http://people.uleth.ca/~daniel.odonn...rd-in-linuxx11

noranthon · 02-20-2007, 04:43 AM

Ah, a new route altogether.

Thank you.

wensveen · 03-15-2007, 11:14 AM

Is there any way to make the windows key bring up the menu with AND make win+e open a file manager? I use Gnome and it seems it's either a composable button (<Mod4>) or a single button (Super_L).