Efficient key bindings using both Mac and Linux

Question

I'm still switching back and forth all the time from linux to mac, and I can't figure out how to stop getting confused in my keystrokes, especially with browsers, and unix apps.

Here's the situation: * Emacs, vim, shell, and other unix apps use the ctrl key the same on both mac and linux * Some VERY common keystrokes of copy, paste, cut, all are swapped cmd on the mac, and ctrl on linux.

Some things I tried: * Using cmd as ctrl in emacs -- kind of works, but then it confuses other unix type apps * Swapping the position of cmd and ctrl on the keyboard -- good for copy, paste, all, and not much else.

I can't possibly be the only one that goes back and forth between mac and linux having this issue.

Would it possibly be better to approach this from the Linux side and change the mappings there so that I can have the same ones on the Mac?

The main problem is browser apps (Chrome/Firefox) and then unix type apps (Emacs, IntelliJ, Rubymine, Vim, tmux).

Answer 1

After a number of months, I did come to a solution that I like. On the Mac, I got used to the fact that there are 3 main modifiers: cmd, ctrl, opt. On the Linux box, I use the same kinesis keyboard and have the same layout for the modifiers, such that I map: Mac => Linux CMD == Ctrl Opt == Alt Ctrl == Ctrl

The key was to have ctrl twice. And then I got used to the differences between cmd and ctrl on the mac, and on the PC, it worked out that ctrl is the key. For example:

In Chrome:

Ctrl-tab on the mac ==> Ctrl-tab on linux Cmd-C on the mac ==> Ctrl-c on linux.

So I can hit two different keys on Linux and get the same result as the Mac.

Answer 2

KDE (Kubuntu) has a shortcut config tool that lets you set global shortcuts, but I couldn't get it to recognize the changes when I tested it. Perhaps it needs a restart. Maybe Ubuntu has a similar option.

Another thing that might help with the copy and paste functions in Linux is to use the middle mouse button to paste. When you highlight some text, you don't have to copy it - highlight it, switch to your other app, then click the middle mouse button to paste the highlighted text. Different habits would make the keyboard issue a moot point, at least for those specific functions.