Re: Using <apps> as a modifier key?

["rgb" <rbielaws@i1.net>]

> I'd love to have an extra modifier key that I can use together with
> the full range of "normal" keys to bind new commands.
>
> Maybe this is not possible at all, maybe those keys are,
> hardware-wise, special?
>
I'm no expert but

I don't believe the <apps> key is any different than function keys,
the arrow keys etc.  <C-apps>, <S-M-apps> etc can all be mapped.
It's a convenient prefix key which is why I use it for C-x & C-c.
I'm pretty sure applications aren't normally notified when
modifier-keys are pressed.  They are only informed of the state
of the modifier-flags-word when a non-modifier key is pressed.

IOW when you press 'h' Emacs gets a message with one word showing
the state of the modifier-flags and another showing the key that
was pressed.  This way the OS/keyboard-driver can implement
handicap features like anti-bounce, sticky keys, virtual keyboards
etc without applications needing to know they exist.

Making <apps> a modifier would require fiddling with the driver.
Try looking here for a loophole you can take advantage of if
you're energetic about a way to do it.  Otherwise you've got
8 unused prefix keys available thru it....

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/input/default.mspx