[oclug] Ascii characters without keys.

[Andy Civil]

The Linux Doctor wrote:
> On Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:22:27 -0400
> Andy Civil <andycivil at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> On this windows computer, I can hold down the {alt} key and dial in
>> decimal on the numeric pad for characters that don't have keys, such
>> as °, µ, £ and ½. It doesn't work on my Ubuntu computer. How do I do
>> it? I have a friend that owes me £80, LOL!
>>
> 
> The traditional way of inputting these characters is through the
> Compose-key. On multi-lingual keyboards it is usually in the Right-Alt
> key position and labelled AltCar or AltGroß on German keyboards.
> 
> Then, using xmodmap to map that key (keycode 117 on my keyboard) to the
> 'Mutli_key'. Once that is done use the chart at this URL to do the
> rest: http://www.hermit.org/Linux/ComposeKeys.html
> 
> Compose sequences are accomplished by holding down the <Compose> key
> and entering in a two-key sequence on after the other. In the case of
> the '£' symbol the two letters are 'L' and '-'. Many sequences have
> multiple input sequences and others do not care what order the two keys
> are pressed including the '£' symbol so "-L" will also create the '£'
> symbol. The chart on the aforementioned website will detail all of
> these.
> 

This is weird, but when I set the 'Compose Key', it works for the 
session, but when I come back to it, it's not working again. "Not 
working" means that when I press the compose key nothing happens, and 
the two characters that I type afterwards come out as two normal 
characters. Even if I go into "Layout Options" and check the setting 
(it's still there) and OK it, the compose key is still not working. 
However, if I turn OFF the compose key, come out, go back in and turn it 
on again, and OK, then it works again. Um.... until next time, LOL! I 
think "next time" is probably defined as shutdown/boot but I'm not sure.

Does anyone have an idea what this could be? (Ubuntu/Gnome, by the way).

-- 
Andy