Linux keyboard issues

[James Wilkinson]

Tim wrote:
> I've been having a few problems with one of my Linux PCs (FC4):
> 
> 1. Every now and then it'll repeat keys like mad (so deleting one e-mail
> deletes the lot -- an extreme problem!).  I ended up turning off key
> repeat to avoid that, but that's a pain in other ways.
> 
> 2. And at other times it'll decide that I cannot type anything unless I
> hold the shift key down.  I can see that the keyboard is outputting
> something, and the system is reacting (cursor blinking on the spot), but
> I can't type any output.  
> 
> If I do something like open a system preferences which gets me to type
> into a pop-up password gadget, then I can type.  If I flick over to
> another virtual terminal (non-X) it works.  It's just within X
> applications on *my* login.

Not sure of exactly what your problem is, but are you saying that if
you create a test user, then the test user doesn't have the problem?

If so, the quickest fix is probably to log in at a virtual terminal as
root, move your home directory somewhere else, and create a new home
directory with the right permissions.

It will probably be one of the .gnome* or .gconf* files or directories,
in that case.

> Also, looking through the keyboard preferences I find options that I
> don't find any explanations to anywhere (guides on my PC, nor Googling
> around for Linux keyboard use documentation).
> 
> What are "third level choosers"?  What're they for?
> What's "super" keys for?
> And what are "meta" keys for?
> What are "groups" for?
> 
> I'm used to the idea of more than one qualifier key, coming from a
> background involving computers like the Amiga, which gave you two system
> qualifier (Amiga logo) keys for system hotkeys and application menu
> shortcuts, alt keys for typing alternate characters, control keys for ye
> olde terminal functions (bell, delete, break, etc.).  But I'm not sure
> what Linux is using in what manner.

"Super" and "meta" are different keyboard modifiers ("qualifiers").

There's never been a standard Unix keyboard, and the way the keyboards
are labelled differ. IIRC, "super" on a PC keyboard maps to the Windows
key, whereas it might map to (one of) the Amiga keys on an Amiga.

Hope this helps,

James.

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