Re: minibuffer output to buffer

[Kevin Rodgers <ihs_4664@yahoo.com>]

David Combs wrote:
 > In article <mailman.335.1163022806.2155.help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>,
 > Dieter Wilhelm  <dieter@duenenhof-wilhelm.de> wrote:
 >> Gary Wessle <phddas@yahoo.com> writes:
 >>
 >>> how can I get the output which shows in the mini buffer into the
 >>> current buffer.
 >>> example
 >>> M-x emacs-version shows in minibuffer.
 >>
 >> With a numeric prefix of M-x.  For example:
 >>
 >> I'm used to press the ALT key while typing - then x (M-- M-x)
 >> or C-u M-x
 >> or C-1 M-x
 >> or M-1 M-x
 >
 > COOL!
 >
 > THANK YOU!!!
 >
 > But -- what's this use of the ALT key?
 >
 > Does nothing (as prefix) for me -- msg still goes to minibuf (or whatever
 > it's called).

It is not a prefix key (pressed before another key), it is a modifier
key (pressed simultaneously with another key).  In this case, the Alt
key is acting as the Meta modifier.  Just as typing Shift-a produces the
character A, typing Alt-x produces the Meta-x character.

 > Now, I'm using a SUN keyboard (with control-key in "right",
 > "old-time" location, left of "a"), on sunBlade-100, Solaris 9.
 >
 > What effect might that have (on my ALT working differently
 > from yours)?

If I recall, modern Emacs versions map the Alt key (or perhaps the
diamond key) to the Meta modifier by default, assuming your terminal or
X server (depending on whether you're running emacs in a terminal or as
an X application) are configured correctly/normally.

-- 
Kevin