RE: C-o

[Drew Adams <drew.adams@oracle.com>]

> >>> 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).

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...