Using: Ubuntu 14.04.3 (64 bit):

In my /usr/share/X11/xkb/keycodes directory, there are about 15 different keyboard mappings (e.g. ibm, xfree 86, etc.), along with a README and an "aliases" file.

Is there a mechanism (a command or utility) that will tell me which of these is currently in use? I'm attempting to remap the "Omni" key on my old Northgate Omnikey Ultra keyboard (still the best I've used over the past 20 years or so) to serve as a "Windows"/"Super"/"Penguin" key, and from everything I've read, one of these files would be the place to start.

I can see the key functioning with the xev utility, but have been completely unsuccessful in being able to remap it over the years, and am determined to give it another shot.

Thanks in advance for any help ...

I haven't done stuff like this, but on the AutoKey list I have run into others who have.

This is not an answer, just some places to start looking.

xmodmap allows you to remap part or all of your keyboard.

setxkbmap -print -verbose 10 tells you things about your setup. I don't know more about this one.

There's a utility called evdev which may be helpful.

https://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/769644-hacking-your-linux-keyboard-with-xkb

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Custom%20keyboard%20layout%20definitions

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Keyboard_configuration_in_Xorg

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xorg#Configuration

https://cyberborean.wordpress.com/20...ose-key-magic/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compose_key
http://fsymbols.com/keyboard/linux/compose/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ComposeKey

3 members found this post helpful.

I found the GUI in Settings on Linux Mint has a nice Keyboard in System Settings, and you click on the Keyboard Icon, and then under Application Shortcuts. In there you can find the one Whisker Menu with the shortcut Super L
Click Edit and it asks you to press the key you want the Penguin Key to become. Then press your special key, and tell it to make that the active key and then try it by pressing and it should pop up (in my mapping) for the Application Menu. You can create and add new ones also.

It seems to work with any keyboard that has special function and other multimedia keys, and you can customize to your liking. Just test it out before you confirm it. Once done it will save this configuration for this user.

I suppose some keyboards however the special keys are not mapped, and may require a custom xwindows keyboard driver to make them work. Kinda like the ones that have those keys that launch things. But you might be suprised that it sees them as some key combo, and allows you to either alter the default setting or create new ones.

1 members found this post helpful.

For Josephj: Thanks much for the reply, and sorry it took so long to respond.

I was unfamiliar with the setxkbmap command, but the sequence you gave looks like it provides enough information to pursue this further.

For kb50: I don't seem to have the utility you talk about (I'm running stock Ubuntu/Unity), but it sounds like something I'll go trolling for when I get the chance...

It allows you to create a lot of new custom sequences also like perhaps Super M and type in the terminal based naming for say Thunderbird or whatever email program you use. Anything you can run in terminal command line actually.

kb: Thanks much ...