keyboard layout: change super key (windows key) to behave differently

Question

one of my keyboard keys is dead (< >) and I'd like to change the windows/super key behavior, so I can use it to type < and > .

is this possible? I'm on ubuntu 9.04 with gnome, I read some info about setxkbmap and xmodmap but I don't know where to start.

thanks

Answer 1

Dmatigs answer should already work. I just want to add that if you are having trouble finding the keycode you can either look into the keymap you are using in /usr/share/rdesktop/, or alternatively you should be able to use the keysym (the name X11 uses for that key, for example Super_L for left Windows key) instead of the keycode.

And you probably have to do something like xmodmap -e 'clear mod4' if you want to modify Super_L (since it is what X11 calls an 'modifier' key), and then add Super_R back again with xmodmap -e 'add mod4 = Super_R'.

xmodmap -e 'clear mod4'
xmodmap -e 'add mod4 = Super_R'
xmodmap -e 'keysym Super_L = less greater'

That's how I would try to do it. The two keysyms behind the equal in the last line are for normal key presses and shift+key respectivly. You can add up to 6 (possibly even more, but I am not sure) of these for all kinds of different modifier groups (alt, ctrl, ISO_Level3_Shift aka alt gr).

Lastly, place the commands (only the parts behind the -e, not the whole xmodmap call) in a file called .Xmodmap in your home directory, that will make X11 load up your configuration every time you start your desktop session.

Answer 2

Open up a terminal and type

xev

Now, press the relevant keys - firstly your super key, and then the > (I Don't know how your keyboard looks). In the output window you will see a bunch of gibberish, but pay attention for each key to the "Keycode " and write them down.

Then whip up another terminal and type

xmodmap -e 'keycode 1=2'

Where the first number is the keycode for your super key, and the second the keycode for the key you want it to act as.