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Date: Mon, 7 Apr 1997 10:22:45 -0400 (EDT)
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From: Derrell Lipman <derrell@vis-av.com>
To: David Moore <dmoore@ucsd.edu>
Cc: xemacs-beta@xemacs.org
Subject: Re: facemenu and `M-g'
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>>>>> "  David" == David Moore <dmoore@ucsd.edu> writes:

  David> Of course, facemenu was originally written back in the days
  David> that M-g was _not_ bound to goto-line.  M-g as goto-line is a
  David> relatively recent invention.  It's the same issue as C-x v,
  David> it used to grow the window, now it runs VC.  Sometimes global
  David> bindings change.  It's not facemenu's fault.

I feel that it's fine for global bindings to change if a few
conditions are met:

1. The losing function (formerly bound to the key) is not commonly
   used, and the gaining function is.

2. The losing function is rebound to an easier key combination because
   it is more commonly used then the gaining function.  (This may
   displace yet another function for which these same considerations
   must be made.)

3. The losing function is bound to a more complex key combination
   because the gaining function is more generally useful, and thus
   deserves to displace the losing function.

Key bindings become ingrained in the fingers.  When I want to do
something in emacs, I don't think about it; my fingers just do it.  If
I had to think about every action that I make, it would be as bad as
having to move my hand over to that stupid mouse thing. :-) Seriously,
though, I feel that changes to global key bindings should be very very
well thought out and considered before being applied.

As to this particular binding, M-g for (goto-line) is a critical
function for me in many modes.  I would not like to see this go away.
I wouldn't mind (goto-line) being, by default, bound to an easier key
sequence, though.  (I don't believe in changing default bindings on a
site- or user-specific basis unless I have a REALLY REALLY good
reason.  I have an entire keymap of my own, bound to C-q -- don't ask;
it's historical --for that purpose.)


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Derrell

-- Derrell Lipman      Amateur Radio: N1YDI      Grumman Tiger, N28860

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