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From: Xah Lee on 3 Oct 2006 18:26
Here's a visual layout of the default keybinds in emacs:
http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_kb_shortcuts.html

A important aspect in designing default keyboard shortcuts is have kb
shortcuts for the most frequently used commands, and, the top most
frequently used commands should have most easily-pressed keystrokes.
For example, they should be on the home row.

Use this program to compute the command frequency of your emacs use.
http://xahlee.org/emacs/command-frequency.el

Once you have accumulated 20k runs of self-insert-command, please send
me the results.
I hope to comile some stats. I will do a report here when i get
results.

Thanks.

Xah
xah(a)xahlee.org
â?? http://xahlee.org/

From: Xah Lee on 11 Oct 2006 09:55
here's my results.

; start 2006-10-05T21:31:39-07:00
; end 2006-10-11T06:52:03-07:00
; http://xahlee.org/emacs/command-frequency.el

28723 self-insert-command
9578 next-line
7431 previous-line
4402 backward-word
3428 forward-word
2544 kill-region
2394 isearch-printing-char
1820 forward-char
1669 delete-backward-char
1426 backward-char
1169 save-buffer
905 newline
751 yank
701 backward-delete-char-untabify
682 kill-buffer-silently
580 scroll-up
496 mwheel-scroll
439 isearch-forward
387 other-window
379 undo
372 previous-history-element
372 dired-next-line
362 delete-char
320 scroll-down
285 minibuffer-complete
277 isearch-other-meta-char
276 execute-extended-command
264 dired
262 set-mark-command
260 isearch-other-control-char
236 move-beginning-of-line
232 dired-advertised-find-file
194 find-file
177 beginning-of-buffer
162 revert-buffer
160 move-end-of-line
147 recenter
138 dired-previous-line
135 isearch-repeat-forward
134 kill-ring-save
131 extend-selection
126 delete-other-windows
119 end-of-buffer
113 eval-last-sexp
111 isearch-backward
109 minibuffer-keyboard-quit
108 split-window-vertically
104 ibuffer-mark-for-delete
104 mouse-drag-region
102 fill-paragraph
94 ignore
88 shell-command
88 exit-minibuffer
83 isearch-repeat-backward
83 mouse-set-point
81 keyboard-quit
76 nil
71 lisp-indent-line
71 describe-function
68 just-one-space
65 grep
62 browse-url-of-buffer
56 wrap-url
56 delete-window
54 mark-whole-buffer
53 python-backspace
53 center-line
51 x-w
51 handle-switch-frame
50 sgml-close-tag
48 describe-key
47 dired-do-query-replace-regexp
37 shell-command-on-region
37 Info-follow-nearest-node
33 kill-buffer-silently
33 html-paragraph
32 query-replace
28 ,bbedit
28 next-buffer
27 x-note
26 dired-mark-files-regexp
26 bookmark-bmenu-list
25 Info-up
23 ibuffer-forward-line
23 bookmark-bmenu-this-window
23 switch-to-buffer
22 query-replace-regexp
22 remove-hard-wrap
21 x-b
20 previous-buffer
19 ibuffer-backward-line
19 minibuffer-complete-and-exit
18 ibuffer
18 string-rectangle
18 tt
17 cperl-electric-backspace
17 ispell-word
16 isearch-abort
16 other-frame
16 sgml-slash
15 compile-goto-error
15 insert-p
14 word-entry
14 beginning-of-defun
14 universal-argument-other-key
14 universal-argument
14 next-history-element
13 ffap
12 ibuffer-mark-forward
12 dired-do-rename
11 set-variable
11 backward-up-list
11 apropos-command
10 ff
10 ibuffer-visit-buffer
10 ibuffer-update
10 date
10 dt
10 dired-do-copy
9 insert-register
9 tag-image2
9 sgml-maybe-name-self
9 command-frequency-display
8 ibuffer-do-save
8 ibuffer-mark-unsaved-buffers
8 forward-sexp
8 html-list-item
7 kill-line-backward
7 ibuffer-do-kill-on-deletion-marks
7 html-headline-2
7 grep-find
7 minibuffer-complete-word
7 set-input-method
7 downcase-word
6 upcase-initials-region
6 Info-menu
6 line-spacing-toggle
6 newline-and-indent
6 describe-variable
6 dired-do-flagged-delete
6 dired-flag-file-deletion
6 replace-string
6 back-to-indentation
6 quoted-insert
5 htmlize-buffer
5 toggle-input-method
5 (lambda nil (interactive) (let ((orig-function (symbol-function
(quote message)))) (unwind-protect (progn (defun message (string &rest
arguments) (let* ((s1 (concat prompt (buffer-substring
(shell-command/minibuffer-prompt-end) (point-max)))) (s2 (apply
(function format) string arguments)) (w (- (window-width) (string-width
s1) (string-width s2) 1))) (funcall orig-function (if (>= w 0) (concat
s1 (make-string w 32) s2) s2)) (if (sit-for 0.3) (funcall orig-function
s1)) s2)) (require (quote shell)) (require (quote comint))
(run-hook-with-args-until-success (quote
shell-command-complete-functions))) (fset (quote message)
orig-function))))
5 upcase-word
5 lisp-complete-symbol
5 mouse-set-font
5 View-quit
5 mode-exited
4 name-last-kbd-macro
4 exchange-point-and-mark
4 dired-unmark-all-marks
4 wikipfy-block
4 replace-quotes
4 #[nil ì??â?¿ï·?!Â? [split-window-vertically find-file
~/web/emacs/unicode.txt] 2 nil nil]
4 dired-create-directory
4 atom-entry
4 Info-mouse-follow-nearest-node
4 info
3 kill-rectangle
3 indent-for-tab-command
3 sgml-delete-tag
3 what-cursor-position
3 isearch-delete-char
3 #[nil ì??æ??è??â??寲] 1 inserts a unicode char. nil]
3 man
3 html-headline-3
3 dired-up-directory
3 dired-mark
3 push-button
3 mark-sexp
3 Info-history-back
3 make-frame-command
2 insert-kbd-macro
2 replace-html-chars
2 digit-argument
2 scroll-bar-toolkit-scroll
2 undefined
2 mac-dnd-handle-drag-n-drop-event
2 date-tag
2 yank-pop
2 complete-symbol
2 mouse-save-then-kill
2 replace-list
2 copy-to-register
2 mouse-select-window
2 mouse-drag-mode-line
2 dired-flag-backup-files
2 isearch-toggle-case-fold
2 move-to-window-line
2 wrap-url-simple
1 kmacro-end-macro
1 kmacro-start-macro
1 isearch-edit-string
1 open-unicode-template
1 eval-region
1 insert-upright-arrow
1 tmm-menubar
1 Info-exit
1 mouse-set-region
1 kill-buffer
1 view-emacs-news
1 indent-new-comment-line
1 list-colors-display
1 html-headline-1
1 dired-show-file-type
1 dired-sort-toggle-or-edit
1 html-mode
1 html-helper-mode
1 text-mode
1 goto-line
1 kill-line
1 count-lines-page
1 view-lossage
1 comment-dwim
1 set-goal-column
1 (lambda (event) (interactive e) (setq tabbar-last-selected-tab (quote
(aladdin5.html . HTML))) (when tabbar-select-tab-function
(select-window (posn-window (event-start event))) (funcall
tabbar-select-tab-function event (quote (aladdin5.html . HTML)))
(force-mode-line-update) (sit-for 0)))
1 tabbar-mode
1 isearch-yank-line
1 html-href-anchor
1 sgml-attributes
1 describe-mode
1 backward-sexp
1 describe-prefix-bindings
1 quit-window
1 pendo-entry
1 isearch-ring-advance
1 eval-buffer


Please send me yours. Thanks.


Xah Lee wrote:
> Here's a visual layout of the default keybinds in emacs:
> http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_kb_shortcuts.html
>
> A important aspect in designing default keyboard shortcuts is have kb
> shortcuts for the most frequently used commands, and, the top most
> frequently used commands should have most easily-pressed keystrokes.
> For example, they should be on the home row.
>
> Use this program to compute the command frequency of your emacs use.
> http://xahlee.org/emacs/command-frequency.el
>
> Once you have accumulated 20k runs of self-insert-command, please send
> me the results
From: Xah Lee on 15 Oct 2006 17:15
Of interest!

(global-set-key (kbd "M-<left>") 'previous-user-buffer)
(global-set-key (kbd "M-<right>") 'next-user-buffer)
(global-set-key (kbd "M-S-<left>") 'previous-emacs-buffer)
(global-set-key (kbd "M-S-<right>") 'next-emacs-buffer)

(defun next-user-buffer ()
"Switch to the next user buffer in cyclic order.\n
User buffers are those not starting with *."
(interactive)
(next-buffer)
(let ((i 0))
(while (and (string-match "^*" (buffer-name)) (< i 10))
(setq i (1+ i)) (next-buffer) )))

(defun previous-user-buffer ()
"Switch to the next user buffer in cyclic order.\n
User buffers are those not starting with *."
(interactive)
(previous-buffer)
(let ((i 0))
(while (and (string-match "^*" (buffer-name)) (< i 10))
(setq i (1+ i)) (previous-buffer) )))

(defun next-emacs-buffer ()
"Switch to the next emacs buffer in cyclic order.\n
Emacs buffers are those starting with *."
(interactive)
(next-buffer)
(let ((i 0))
(while (and (not (string-match "^*" (buffer-name))) (< i 10))
(setq i (1+ i)) (next-buffer) )))

(defun previous-emacs-buffer ()
"Switch to the next user buffer in cyclic order.\n
Emacs buffers are those starting with *."
(interactive)
(previous-buffer)
(let ((i 0))
(while (and (not (string-match "^*" (buffer-name))) (< i 10))
(setq i (1+ i)) (previous-buffer) )))

Xah
xah(a)xahlee.org
â?? http://xahlee.org/

From: John Sullivan on 15 Oct 2006 19:36
"Xah Lee" <xah(a)xahlee.org> writes:

> Of interest!
>

In Emacs 22:

,----[ C-h f next-buffer RET ]
| next-buffer is an interactive compiled Lisp function in `simple.el'.
| It is bound to C-x <C-right>, C-x <right>, <menu-bar> <buffer> <next-buffer>.
| (next-buffer)
|
| Switch to the next buffer in cyclic order.
`----

,----[ C-h f previous-buffer RET ]
| previous-buffer is an interactive compiled Lisp function in `simple.el'.
| It is bound to C-x <C-left>, C-x <left>, <menu-bar> <buffer> <previous-buffer>.
| (previous-buffer)
|
| Switch to the previous buffer in cyclic order.
|
| [back]
`----

There is also already cyclebuffer.el.

http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/CycleBuffer

--
-John Sullivan
-http://www.wjsullivan.net
-GPG Key: AE8600B6
From: Xah Lee on 17 Oct 2006 01:27
Raoul Gough wrote:
«I've begun to notice that C-x is really quite awkward for me to type
(this is on a US QWERTY layout). My usual finger positions for this
key-chord are left little finger on CTRL and left middle on X, which
puts the left middle finger under an unusual strain since it's cramped
up diagonally. Any ideas on improving this situation?»

Thanks for reminding me of this extremely fucked emacs design, which
has escaped my notice.

The need to press x with modifiers, is the single most frequently
needed operation in emacs. This is so critical that the command
frequency list doesn't even bring the issue up, since these prefix
keystrokes are needed to call up any command.

The Control-x is possibly the most awkward key combination on a
standard keyboard, and unfortunately, it is the key strokes that emacs
wants people to use the most. It is in fact, the sole contribution to
the well-known â??emacs pinkyâ?? repetitive strain injury, and is one
of the main driving force for people to detest emacs.

Given that we are stuck with the C-x (at least for now), for a article
on How To Avoid The Emacs Pinky Problem, see
http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_pinky.html

In short, one of the most important thing is that you should use a
proper keyboard with large modifier keys, and with them positioned on
both sides of the keyboard in a symmetric way to the left/right home
keys, so that the right side set are actually touch-type functional.

(keyboard layout and the physical keyboard design are the other
extremely fucked up products of shameless fuckers in our society (and
supported as a side effect of political struggle by our tech geekers.
That's why we still have it to this day.))

Many people, as a sloppy work-around with the emacs pinky problem,
swaps the conventional positions of the left Control key and Cap Lock
key. This does work as a work around, but is not a solution as tech
geekers drivels about.

As we have discussed before, the most used commands must have the most
easy-to-type keystrokes. The C-x, as a prefix keystroke for calling
emacs command, therefore must have the most easy to type.

Assume that we are given the physical design of a conventional keyboard
and the common qwerty layout, then the most comfortable key combo for
the control combination would be one of the DF or JK keys, both are
under the home row pressed by the index and middle fingers. And given
that most keyboards don't have a touch-type-functional right set
Control and Meta keys, therefore JK would be the optimal choices for
the command prefix keys. (so that, the left hand can hold down the
modifier keys, and the other hand, can press J or K. Between the
choices of J vs K, K is probably better since the longer middle finger
makes it more comfortable to type. Therefore, C-x and M-x really should
be C-t and M-k.

On the dvorak keyboard (which is one major fix up of the fucked
keyboard layout that is qwerty which by itself contributed to endless
hand injuries), the right hand index finger's key is T. Thus, on the
dvorak layout, the C-x should be C-t.

(Note: if you are using dvorak, the x is the qwerty's b, so that you
can type C-x by having your left hand hold down control on the left
side, and right hand's index finger moves to the lower left to press
the x. However, this won't work if you are using a Split Keyboard
(which is a major fix up to the fucked up physical keyboard design). On
a split keyboard, the Qwerty's B is on the left side of the keyboard,
and is very awkward to press C-b either with left hand itself or both
left and right hands. (photo here
http://xahlee.org/emacs/i/ms_wnm_keyboard.jpg ))

I use a Dvorak keyboard layout. I use a split key physical keyboard. I
have C-x remapped to C-t.

Please see also:
Modernization of Emacs
http://xahlee.org/emacs/modernization.html

Xah
xah(a)xahlee.org
â?? http://xahlee.org/

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