RE: C-o

[Daniel Colascione <dancol@dancol.org>]

On July 2, 2024 11:41:55 AM EDT, Drew Adams <drew.adams@oracle.com> wrote:
>> >>> What do you use it for?
>> > I'm also curious to know how people use `C-o`, which I never ever use.
>
>I wasn't going to chime in on this thread...
>
>My use of `C-o' is, well, peculiar.  I almost
>don't use it.
>
>I keep its default binding, which I never use
>it for.  I use it only to try/test a command
>I want to temporarily bind to a repeatable,
>simple key that won't interfere with bindings
>I really do use.  I do this (fairly often):
>
> M-x global-set-key RET C-o <some command
> I want to use temporarily, perhaps repeatedly
> (by just holding it down)> RET
>
>Yeah, I know, seems a waste of such a simple,
>repeatable key.  But it's precisely the
>uselessness to me of that binding that keeps
>the key free for me mentally.  In effect, I've
>unconsciously tossed it onto the No-Default
>Free List.
>
>Needless to say, I do NOT want its default
>binding to be changed to some command that's
>useful but not repeatable.
>
>I dread this thread, given that it has the
>possibility that Emacs will change the useless
>binding of `C-o' to some command that's useful
>but not repeatable.  (Repeatable keys not at
>the end of a prefix key are indeed rare).


If the default binding for C-o changed, how would your workflow change? Are you imagining we'd bind C-o to some *new* functionality for which we didn't have other bindings, forcing you to forego this functionality, change your habits, or bind the new functionality to some other key yourself?

>
>IOW, it's a bad default binding, but therein
>lies its usefulness: it could be worse.
>
>[ The only reasonable alternative to binding a
>  simple repeatable key to a repeatable command
>  is to bind it as a prefix key.  That's what
>  we've done for keys such as `C-x'.  That's
>  OK.  But to bind a simple repeatable key to a
>  command that, e.g., prompts for something is
>  a mortal sin. Thou Shalt Not Waste. ]
>
>  - Church of Emacs
>
>I was content to let this sleeping dog lie.
>Now that it's awakened, Bonjour les dégats...
>