I want to change what is produced when I hit a combination of keys (a chord).

I'm interested in chorded keyboard devices like the bit twiddler and stenograph machines etc.

Since I use emacs, I'm all too aware that more is possible using key chords with a conventional keyboard. (In fact the embossed "Ctrl" on my control key has worn right off!)

Now I'm contemplating laying out hard cash for one an alternative keyboard for various reasons...
* RSI.
* Want to be more productive (type faster) have more direct control
over my environment.

But before I do that, I would like to try out my ideas using a conventional keyboard and linux. But I'm a little confuzzled by the Linux 2.6.11 keyboards drivers. Hence the following Questions:

1) I want to remap the keys so that I can define arbitary single, pairs, triplets and quads of keys to do whatever I want.

2) I would like the keyboard to behave the same in all apps, including "in the dark place" (ie. Virtual Consoles.

3) I'm confused about which level I should be intervening, (.emacs level, X11 level, kernel level?)

4) I'm not sure any of these levels can cope with me demanding that things like "keypad one" should have no meaning by itself, wait for the other keys in its chord".

All suggestions, Ideas, FM's To R, pointers to existing projects welcome.