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* Getting keys to work right across ssh
@ 2006-01-28 17:38 David Abrahams
  2006-01-29 19:36 ` Ian Zimmerman
  0 siblings, 1 reply; 3+ messages in thread
From: David Abrahams @ 2006-01-28 17:38 UTC (permalink / raw)



Hi,

Whenever I ssh into a system and run a terminal-based emacs I find
that some keys are mapped in surpising ways.  For example, it's common
that the backspace key I usually use to delete the character before
point is mapped to `C-h' (yes, I know that's the backspace character)
which lands me in help every time I try to correct a mistake.  Today I
ssh'd into a Mac and Alt+x (usually `M-x') is interpreted as `M-8'.  

When I can use an X-enabled emacs, I'll generally do that and wait
through the horrible startup delays, but that's not always an option.
For example, some of my machines don't have X.

I understand there are probably several layers of configuration
involved with this problem, and I'm willing to slog through them to
make it right, but I can't even find a systematic guide to attacking
it.  Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com

^ permalink raw reply	[flat|nested] 3+ messages in thread

* Re: Getting keys to work right across ssh
       [not found] <mailman.42.1138491602.3044.help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>
@ 2006-01-29 16:19 ` Pascal Bourguignon
  0 siblings, 0 replies; 3+ messages in thread
From: Pascal Bourguignon @ 2006-01-29 16:19 UTC (permalink / raw)


David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> writes:

> Hi,
>
> Whenever I ssh into a system and run a terminal-based emacs I find
> that some keys are mapped in surpising ways.  For example, it's common
> that the backspace key I usually use to delete the character before
> point is mapped to `C-h' (yes, I know that's the backspace character)
> which lands me in help every time I try to correct a mistake.  Today I
> ssh'd into a Mac and Alt+x (usually `M-x') is interpreted as `M-8'.  
>
> When I can use an X-enabled emacs, I'll generally do that and wait
> through the horrible startup delays, but that's not always an option.
> For example, some of my machines don't have X.
>
> I understand there are probably several layers of configuration
> involved with this problem, and I'm willing to slog through them to
> make it right, but I can't even find a systematic guide to attacking
> it.  Can anyone help?

What terminal emulator do you use?

In xterm, with Control - left-mouse-button, you get a pop-up menu in
which you can configure "Meta send ESC" and the behavior of the
Backspace key (BS or DEL).  You can also edit ~/.Xresources to set the
defaults.

In Terminal.app, it's in the Window Preferences.

In emacs, you can use the toggle M-x normal-erase-is-backspace-mode
RET to match what is sent by the Backspace key.  In any case, you can
get the help with F1 instead of C-h.


-- 
__Pascal Bourguignon__                     http://www.informatimago.com/

"A TRUE Klingon warrior does not comment his code!"

^ permalink raw reply	[flat|nested] 3+ messages in thread

* Re: Getting keys to work right across ssh
  2006-01-28 17:38 Getting keys to work right across ssh David Abrahams
@ 2006-01-29 19:36 ` Ian Zimmerman
  0 siblings, 0 replies; 3+ messages in thread
From: Ian Zimmerman @ 2006-01-29 19:36 UTC (permalink / raw)



David> I understand there are probably several layers of configuration
David> involved with this problem, and I'm willing to slog through them
David> to make it right, but I can't even find a systematic guide to
David> attacking it.  Can anyone help?

i'd start with checking what ascii code(s) your local terminal emulator
(assuming you're using one) actually sends over the wire.  A simple way
is to run something like 

ssh remote hexdump -C

and start typing the problematic combinations.

-- 
A true pessimist won't be discouraged by a little success.

^ permalink raw reply	[flat|nested] 3+ messages in thread

end of thread, other threads:[~2006-01-29 19:36 UTC | newest]

Thread overview: 3+ messages (download: mbox.gz follow: Atom feed
-- links below jump to the message on this page --
2006-01-28 17:38 Getting keys to work right across ssh David Abrahams
2006-01-29 19:36 ` Ian Zimmerman
     [not found] <mailman.42.1138491602.3044.help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>
2006-01-29 16:19 ` Pascal Bourguignon

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