Capslock as Control key
                      =======================

Last edited: $Date: 2022/05/05 18:59:15 $


                      Use of the Control key
                      ----------------------

A little over a year ago I started to use Emacs seriously. Before I
had done some attempts to try to  use Emacs, but this time I really
did the conversion. I haven't stopped using Vim, but I use Emacs on
a daily  basis now. I use  the vanilla Emacs key  bindings, I don't
use viper, evil nor Doom. Which means a lot of key combo's (chords)
with the Control key.

I have  been using  GNU Screen  for many  years, before  making the
switch to  tmux. (I  switched to  tmux because it  was part  of the
basic OpenBSD  install so  there was  no need  to install  an extra
package.) I  have Ctrl-A  as my  prefix in tmux  (just like  in GNU
Screen) so there I have to use the Control key too.

Although pressing a key on the keyboard doesn't require much force,
using the  Control key  frequently does strain  you pinky,  this is
amplified by  the extreme position  of the Control key  (unless you
have a space-cadet-keyboard).

Some people state  to  use their palm to hit  the Control key while
typing a  chord, but I haven't  found a convenient way  to do this.
Therefor I decided to configure my  Capslock key as Control key and
give that a try.

                      Capslock as Control key
                      -----------------------

Although it may not be life changing, it is a good change. It takes
some time to get used to it, relearning all the muscle-memory.

So, now I have three Control keys:

- Left Control key
- Right Control key
- Capslock key

I really  like this setup. First  of all, in my  cases your fingers
don't have to leave the home row.  A second advantage is that it is
easier to use other fingers too.

                           Configuration
                           -------------

This is where it gets hairy.

On my FreeBSD laptop I have the following line in my ~/.xinitrc:

    setxkbmap -model thinkpad -layout us -option caps:ctrl_modifier

On an old  Chromebook running GalliumOS it works  with a ~/.Xmodmap
file with the following contents:

    remove mod4 = Super_L
    add control = Super_L

On  an  unaltered  Chromebook,  open  "Settings",  scroll  down  to
"Keyboard" and select "Ctrl" in the "Search"-dropdown.

Have fun !

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