After my rant about switching converting Ctrl to Caps Lock, I decided to go
back to my larger keyboard, after using after using a small wireless keyboard
for a long time.

So I found my poor numbed left pinky finger pressing the back-tick instead of
Esc allatime. Makes vi a little dicey.

So I googoo and I find this:

https://github.com/alols/xcape.git

I clone it and build it (took about 1 second to build), and it converts the
left Ctrl (including the remapped Caps Lock) into an Esc if released quickly as
defined by a timeout parameter. The C file includes a few X11 header files.
Has a nice man page, too.

I will have to see if I get used to it. My poor little overworked pinky!

--
Extreme fear can neither fight nor fly.
-- William Shakespeare, "The Rape of Lucrece"

On 6/10/2024 10:52 AM, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

> My poor little overworked pinky!

Quit jamming it up your nose all day.

On Mon, 10 Jun 2024 10:52:14 -0400, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

> So I found my poor numbed left pinky finger pressing the back-tick
> instead of Esc allatime. Makes vi a little dicey.

Been there once or twice with various keyboards. It's annoying
particularly since even when I use VS Code it's with the Vim extension.

> After my rant about switching converting Ctrl to Caps Lock, I decided to
> go back to my larger keyboard, after using after using a small wireless
> keyboard for a long time.
>
> So I found my poor numbed left pinky finger pressing the back-tick
> instead of Esc allatime. Makes vi a little dicey.
>
> So I googoo and I find this:
>
> https://github.com/alols/xcape.git
>
> I clone it and build it (took about 1 second to build), and it converts
> the left Ctrl (including the remapped Caps Lock) into an Esc if released
> quickly as defined by a timeout parameter. The C file includes a few X11
> header files. Has a nice man page, too.
>
> I will have to see if I get used to it. My poor little overworked pinky!

Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand
to hit ctrl?

--
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
OS: Linux 6.9.3 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G

vallor <vallor@cultnix.org> wrote:

>-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
> OS: Linux 6.9.3 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G

You're using Mint but somehow compiling the kernel, yourself?

--
Joel W. Crump

Amendment XIV
Section 1.

[...] No state shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.

Dobbs rewrites this, it is invalid precedent. States are
liable for denying needed abortions, e.g. TX.

> vallor <vallor@cultnix.org> wrote:
>
>>-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
>> OS: Linux 6.9.3 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G
>
>
> You're using Mint but somehow compiling the kernel, yourself?

Yes indeed.

I've built my own kernel -- at least once -- for every distro
I've ever run as a daily driver.

Used to do it all the time on Fedora. Since I like NVIDIA hardware,
I've had to contend with the drivers failing on reboot, and having
to re-install the drivers.

The biggest hurdle to building your own Linux is coming up
with an appropriate .config. For that, I cheated: I used the
..config from Mint's then-current low-latency kernel. Then you
"make oldconfig" and answer the questions.

You just have to know how to do it. It's actually not that
hard, it just sounds totally boss to tell someone you compiled
your own running kernel.

Apparently some distros (Gentoo, I've heard) will download
and compile _some_ kernels. But for the latest, download the
sources from https://kernel.org and have at it.

Once you've downloaded the sources, unpack them, and
type "make help" to see all the make targets. You'll at least
to:

"make oldconfig", after placing the appropriate .config file
in the root of the sources. Answer all the questions. (Some folks
have been known to just lean on the Enter key for this, and accept
all the defaults.)

"make -jX", where "X" is the number of parallel builds you want
to run.

"sudo make modules_install" will install modules

"sudo make install" will install the kernel, and it
will become the first (and default) entry in grub.

(This is all integrated with support scripts on Linux Mint.)

Note that I'm running the latest stable kernel.
There is an option that is one step closer to the
abyss: "linux-next". I don't do that -- what, do I look crazy?

If you have NVIDIA, then after you reboot, use ctrl-alt-f1 (or
whatever) to get to a virtual terminal, log in as root, and
then "telinit 1", which will take you to single-user mode.
Unload the nvidia modules if you want:

rmmod nvidia_drm nvidia_modeset nvidia_uvm nvidia

Then you can run the binary blob that you _already downloaded_
from NVIDIA for the latest driver. After that, you can either reboot,
or if you did the rmmod command, "telinit 5". That should load
the drivers as the session manager starts.

This works for me. (If it breaks, you get to keep both parts.)

BTW, I'm using driver version: 555.42.02, which includes CUDA support.
I got it from installing the CUDA binary blob, which includes all
the libraries and tools to use CUDA. If CUDA isn't important to you,
you can just run the regular driver downloaded from nvidia.com.

Finally, a word about the symlink to sources. "make modules_install"
will add a symlink to (say) /lib/modules/6.9.3 called "build" that
points to the root of the unpacked Linux sources. So, if you move
the sources, make sure to change that symlink, or the NVIDIA binary
blob won't be able to find them...and it needs them while it compiles
a few things.

--
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
OS: Linux 6.9.3 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G

vallor <vallor@cultnix.org> wrote at 18:59 this Monday (GMT):
>> After my rant about switching converting Ctrl to Caps Lock, I decided to
>> go back to my larger keyboard, after using after using a small wireless
>> keyboard for a long time.
>>
>> So I found my poor numbed left pinky finger pressing the back-tick
>> instead of Esc allatime. Makes vi a little dicey.
>>
>> So I googoo and I find this:
>>
>> https://github.com/alols/xcape.git
>>
>> I clone it and build it (took about 1 second to build), and it converts
>> the left Ctrl (including the remapped Caps Lock) into an Esc if released
>> quickly as defined by a timeout parameter. The C file includes a few X11
>> header files. Has a nice man page, too.
>>
>> I will have to see if I get used to it. My poor little overworked pinky!
>
> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand
> to hit ctrl?

You must have a pretty tall keyboard then. Putting my hand there places
my hand way past the keys.
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom

On 11 Jun 2024 01:21:21 GMT, vallor wrote:

> I've built my own kernel -- at least once -- for every distro I've ever
> run as a daily driver.

I've built my own kernel -- at least once-- about 25 years ago.

candycanearter07 wrote this copyrighted missive and expects royalties:

> vallor <vallor@cultnix.org> wrote at 18:59 this Monday (GMT):
>>> After my rant about switching converting Ctrl to Caps Lock, I decided to
>>> go back to my larger keyboard, after using after using a small wireless
>>> keyboard for a long time.
>>>
>>> So I found my poor numbed left pinky finger pressing the back-tick
>>> instead of Esc allatime. Makes vi a little dicey.
>>>
>>> So I googoo and I find this:
>>>
>>> https://github.com/alols/xcape.git
>>>
>>> I clone it and build it (took about 1 second to build), and it converts
>>> the left Ctrl (including the remapped Caps Lock) into an Esc if released
>>> quickly as defined by a timeout parameter. The C file includes a few X11
>>> header files. Has a nice man page, too.
>>>
>>> I will have to see if I get used to it. My poor little overworked pinky!
>>
>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand
>> to hit ctrl?
>
> You must have a pretty tall keyboard then. Putting my hand there places
> my hand way past the keys.

BTW, here's the command that builds xcape:

cc -Wall `pkg-config --cflags xtst x11` -o xcape xcape.c
`pkg-config --libs xtst x11` -pthread

Note the pkg-config calls.

Interestingly, the --cflags version yields no output; the --libs version
outputs "-lXtst -lX11".

--
You've been leading a dog's life. Stay off the furniture.

Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

>BTW, here's the command that builds xcape:
>
> cc -Wall `pkg-config --cflags xtst x11` -o xcape xcape.c
> `pkg-config --libs xtst x11` -pthread
>
>Note the pkg-config calls.
>
>Interestingly, the --cflags version yields no output; the --libs version
>outputs "-lXtst -lX11".

Where's Flathead to declare that "it's this kind of stuff that keeps
people away from Linux", as if expert-level stuff doesn't exist on all
computer platforms. Yes, he was that much of a trolling jackass.

--
"[Flatfish] doesn't troll" - DumFSck, lying shamelessly

On Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:11:11 -0500, chrisv wrote:

> Chris Ahlstrom wrote:
>
>>BTW, here's the command that builds xcape:
>>
>> cc -Wall `pkg-config --cflags xtst x11` -o xcape xcape.c
>> `pkg-config --libs xtst x11` -pthread
>>
>>Note the pkg-config calls.
>>
>>Interestingly, the --cflags version yields no output; the --libs version
>>outputs "-lXtst -lX11".
>
> Where's Flathead to declare that "it's this kind of stuff that keeps
> people away from Linux", as if expert-level stuff doesn't exist on all
> computer platforms. Yes, he was that much of a trolling jackass.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes object strongly to your uses
of 'Flathead'.

rbowman wrote this copyrighted missive and expects royalties:

> On Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:11:11 -0500, chrisv wrote:
>
>> Chris Ahlstrom wrote:
>>
>>>BTW, here's the command that builds xcape:
>>>
>>> cc -Wall `pkg-config --cflags xtst x11` -o xcape xcape.c
>>> `pkg-config --libs xtst x11` -pthread
>>>
>>>Note the pkg-config calls.
>>>
>>>Interestingly, the --cflags version yields no output; the --libs version
>>>outputs "-lXtst -lX11".
>>
>> Where's Flathead to declare that "it's this kind of stuff that keeps
>> people away from Linux", as if expert-level stuff doesn't exist on all
>> computer platforms. Yes, he was that much of a trolling jackass.
>
> The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes object strongly to your uses
> of 'Flathead'.

I dubbed him "Flounder".

--
Zounds! I was never so bethumped with words
since I first called my brother's father dad.
-- William Shakespeare, "Kind John"

On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:

> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand
> to hit ctrl?

You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left hand.

I use my right thumb.

rbowman wrote:

> chrisv wrote:
>>
>> Chris Ahlstrom wrote:
>>>
>>>Interestingly, the --cflags version yields no output; the --libs version
>>>outputs "-lXtst -lX11".
>>
>> Where's Flathead to declare that "it's this kind of stuff that keeps
>> people away from Linux", as if expert-level stuff doesn't exist on all
>> computer platforms. Yes, he was that much of a trolling jackass.
>
>The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes object strongly to your uses
>of 'Flathead'.

My apologies to them. I wouldn't want to be compared to a worthless,
mentally-ill Wintroll either.

--
"I doubt a day goes by where Linus doesn't regret giving his OS away
for free." - Flathead

> On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:
>
>
>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand to hit
>> ctrl?
>
>
> You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left
> hand.

Interesting. I went looking for a reference, and could not
find this usage.

What I was referring to is the lower palm of the hand
nearest the pinky.

> I use my right thumb.

--
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
OS: Linux 6.9.3 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G
"Steal this tagline and I'll tie-dye your cat!"

>> On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand to
>>> hit ctrl?
>>
>>
>> You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left
>> hand.
>
> Interesting. I went looking for a reference, and could not find this
> usage.

I take that back -- Goggle failed me. I looked here:

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/heel

And found it at sense 9:

the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist:
To perform CPR on an adult, begin by placing the heel of your hand on the
center of the person’s chest.

>
> What I was referring to is the lower palm of the hand nearest the pinky.

--
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
OS: Linux 6.9.3 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G
"One man's error is another man's data."

On 12 Jun 2024 14:16:24 GMT, vallor wrote:

> the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist:
> To perform CPR on an adult, begin by placing the heel of your hand on
> the center of the person’s chest.

I associate it with a different context and wondered why you were pissed
off at your keyboard.

https://www.senseiando.com/palm-heel-strike/

On 6/12/2024 10:16 AM, vallor wrote:
>>> On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand to
>>>> hit ctrl?
>>>
>>>
>>> You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left
>>> hand.
>>
>> Interesting. I went looking for a reference, and could not find this
>> usage.
>
> I take that back -- Goggle failed me. I looked here:
>
> https://www.dictionary.com/browse/heel
>
> And found it at sense 9:
>
> the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist:
> To perform CPR on an adult, begin by placing the heel of your hand on the
> center of the person’s chest.

Never heard of 'heel of your hand'.

Google AI Overview says "The heel of the hand is the raised, inner part
of the hand near the wrist, at the base of the metacarpal bones."

So it's a thing.

>> What I was referring to is the lower palm of the hand nearest the pinky.

How the heck can you hit one key with anything but a fingertip? The
Ctrl key on my MS Comfort Curve 2000 keyboard is just about flush with
the chassis. No way I can press that key with anything but a finger.

vallor wrote this copyrighted missive and expects royalties:

>> On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand to hit
>>> ctrl?
>>
>>
>> You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left
>> hand.
>
> Interesting. I went looking for a reference, and could not
> find this usage.
>
> What I was referring to is the lower palm of the hand
> nearest the pinky.
>
>> I use my right thumb.

Status update: I'm starting to get automatic with using the Caps Lock as both a
Ctrl and an Esc. (If held for more than 500 ms, it's Ctrl; if released quicker
than that, it's Esc.)

I installed xcape on my 14" Lenovo, which has no keypad keys, even though the
Esc is not so far away.

--
"Elves and Dragons!" I says to him. "Cabbages and potatoes are better
for you and me."
-- J. R. R. Tolkien

> On 6/12/2024 10:16 AM, vallor wrote:
>>>> On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand to
>>>>> hit ctrl?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left
>>>> hand.
>>>
>>> Interesting. I went looking for a reference, and could not find this
>>> usage.
>>
>> I take that back -- Goggle failed me. I looked here:
>>
>> https://www.dictionary.com/browse/heel
>>
>> And found it at sense 9:
>>
>> the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist:
>> To perform CPR on an adult, begin by placing the heel of your hand on
>> the center of the person’s chest.
>
> Never heard of 'heel of your hand'.
>
> Google AI Overview says "The heel of the hand is the raised, inner part
> of the hand near the wrist, at the base of the metacarpal bones."
>
> So it's a thing.
>
>
>
>>> What I was referring to is the lower palm of the hand nearest the
>>> pinky.
>
> How the heck can you hit one key with anything but a fingertip? The
> Ctrl key on my MS Comfort Curve 2000 keyboard is just about flush with
> the chassis. No way I can press that key with anything but a finger.

It's just a generic Logitech wired keyboard, but the control
key is on the corner, so if I lean my hand on it just right,
it registers the keypress.

I didn't plan it that way, just kind of happened. I don't use
it for multiple modifiers (e.g., ctrl-alt), but when I'm
using joe, I'm always hitting ctrl-k with the heel of my hand.

--
-v System76 Thelio Mega v1.1 x86_64 NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
OS: Linux 6.9.4 Release: Mint 21.3 Mem: 258G

Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> wrote at 17:09 this Wednesday (GMT):
> vallor wrote this copyrighted missive and expects royalties:
>
>>> On 6/10/2024 2:59 PM, vallor wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Am I the only one around here that uses the heel of my left hand to hit
>>>> ctrl?
>>>
>>>
>>> You're probably the only one around here that has a heel on his left
>>> hand.
>>
>> Interesting. I went looking for a reference, and could not
>> find this usage.
>>
>> What I was referring to is the lower palm of the hand
>> nearest the pinky.
>>
>>> I use my right thumb.
>
> Status update: I'm starting to get automatic with using the Caps Lock as both a
> Ctrl and an Esc. (If held for more than 500 ms, it's Ctrl; if released quicker
> than that, it's Esc.)
>
> I installed xcape on my 14" Lenovo, which has no keypad keys, even though the
> Esc is not so far away.

Actually, that sounds pretty useful. I might try it sometime.
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom