Re: Adding a "quick-help" menu

[Gregor Zattler <telegraph@gmx.net>]

Hi Philip, emacs developers,
* Philip Kaludercic <philipk@posteo.net> [2022-09-17;14:44 GMT]:
> Gregor Zattler <telegraph@gmx.net> writes:
>> * Philip Kaludercic <philipk@posteo.net> [2022-09-16; 17:22 GMT]:
>>> Yes, but just like there is a difference between auto-completion and
>>> tab-completion, there is a difference to be considered here.
>>
>> for me the main difference to all other help facilities is,
>> that there is zero cognitive burden: It only pops up when I
>> hit a prefix key and then don't know what to do.
>
> What kind of prefix keys are we talking about?  Could you give me a
> recent example for where which-key was useful to you (or anyone else)?

a) when I do not remember which key adds files from dired to
the buffer in message-mode with unsent email; b) when I
search for the key binding for
mml-secure-message-sign-encrypt; actually not that often,
since I installed which-key seven years ago in favour of
describe-key (or some such, because it stole a key binding I
was relying of, back then).  Then it was C-x r, for instance.

I do not need it often, but for instance when I explore a
new package and it's key bindings.

>> It specifically shows help to this prefix key, I do not have
>> to move the mouse, I do not have to look for a symbol to
>> click or a menu entry which might be related.
>
> But none of this is necessary when you press C-h.

I do not know any more if I knew then that I could hit C-h
after a prefix key.

> The only disadvantage is that you would have to repeat the
> prefix, but I think that could be changed.
>
>> I do not have to know how to bury or kill it, it does not
>> litter my buffer list with jet another buried buffer, it
>> does not permanently change my window configuration.
>
> Do you meant the *Help* buffer?

Yes.  Here I was speaking remembering my first experiences
with Emacs.  Then I was overwhelmed for instance from the
number of buffers in my buffer list.  I'm still irritated by
the number and placement of windows Emacs opens especially
on my 4K monitor -- where this is a much smaller problem at
the same time.  I still do not feel comfortable with the
*help* buffers popping up but being not the active window...
[I just now used which-key to look up C-x 4 and learned that
there is C-x 4 q].

All this does not happen with which-key.

[...]
> I personally think this is an advantage (though I wouldn't put it the
> way you did).  To me `which-key' -- the way it is configured by default
> -- seems fragile and unreliable.  A help buffer is just-another-buffer
> and doesn't appear to be an exception to the rest of how Emacs works.

Sure, but that doesn't help in case one is not comfortable
with "how Emacs works", especially because one is a
newcomer.  In especially this case a help facility which
shows up when one is hesitating and goes away without
further action is of great help.

Later one may have adapted to Emacs or adapted Emacs or
abandoned Emacs.

Ciao; Gregor
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