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swapping the control and capslock keys in X

i like to use emacs and screen - both programs make heavy use of the control key. on most of the keyboards i use, the capslock key is better situated for heavy use. below are two distinct methods for accomplishing this.

1. in your xorg.conf file, simply uncomment this line:

   Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:swapcaps"

2. place the following in $HOME/.xmodmaprc:

   remove Lock = Caps_Lock
   remove Control = Control_L
   keysym Control_L = Caps_Lock
   keysym Caps_Lock = Control_L
   add Lock = Caps_Lock
   add Control = Control_L
   

   now add this to your $HOME/.xinitrc:

   xmodmap $HOME/.xmodmaprc

last update 10/21/2007