Linux/KDE/Win2k/WinXP Cheating

This page summarizes some tips for improving work with personal computers. I have done this since I keep forgetting these things. This page has a prominent paragon: Simon's Win32 Cheat Sheet.

Linux

Wheel Mouse configuration

To operate a wheel mouse on the USB port, use the following entry in your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file: 
	Section "InputDevice"
          Identifier  "Mouse0"
          Driver      "mouse"
          Option      "Device" "/dev/mouse"
          Option      "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
          Option      "Emulate3Buttons" "off"
          Option      "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
        EndSection
Note the protocol entry IMPS/2. This makes the difference between a non-wheel and a wheel mouse: PS/2 supports non-wheel only. The fact that the mouse is attached to the USB port doesn't need to be reflected in this configuration.

Keyboard configuration

Disable the CapsLock key and turn it into a Ctrl key: In the KDE control center, choose "Regional & Accessibility", then "Keyboard layout", then "Options". There, under the "Control Key Position" list, choose "Make CapsLock an additional Control".

Win2k/XP

Common annoyances

There's a cool collection of tips at 50 Fixes for the Biggest PC Annoyances

Keyboard configuration

The caps lock key is also annoying on Win2k machines. There seem to be some tools that shut it off (or, better yet, transform it into a control key). There is even a Microsoft web page that talks about it (Scan Code Mapper for Windows 2000, new link is here). They give an example of swapping the CapsLock key with the left control key. It's also very easy to turn the CapsLock key into a control key:
  1. Run the registry editor (REGEDIT).
  2. Open the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout"
  3. Add a new value "Scancode Map" by right-clicking and choosing "binary value".
  4. Select the new item (double-click) and enter the numbers 
    
        00 00 00 00 . 00 00 00 00  
	02 00 00 00 . 1D 00 3A 00  
        00 00 00 00
    These are five 4-byte values that tell the system to map the CapsLock key to a control key. (Don't enter the dots; they are just for better readability.)
  5. Close the registry editor and reboot.
Harald Vogt
Last modified: Fri Sep 26 10:50:00 MEST 2003 Last modified: Thu Apr 11 17:10:01 MEST 2002