Meta-key in terminal

Hi there,

I had the same question and by googling some more I found a page that indicated that the meta key is, by default, the ESC key, and the terminal allows you to change that into the OPTION key. So, uncheck the checkbox that sets OPTION as meta key, and you'll have ESC as meta-key.
This solves my problem (typing ~ and @ in terminal), hopefully yours as well.

Regards,

Alessandro

liyanage wrote:
Please let us know if you figure this out. I have been looking for a solution to this for years.

It doesn’t seem to be a problem for Mac users who use the US layout because they can get by without the Option key in Terminal. But I use the Swiss German layout, and giving up the Option key is not possible because I can’t even type the @ without it on this layout.

It would be really great if somebody figured out how to assign this Meta functionality to caps lock, or the Fn key. I would also appreciate a technical description what this checkbox in the Terminal settings actually does. Then maybe I could find a workaround. Does it send a special sequence to the shell?

You just got your answer.
For more information use the Unix forum, here:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=735

Ah you mean the ESC key posting? That's what I've been using all these years as a workaround, but that is not a real solution.

The ESC solution is different and more awkward to type than a real meta key. For one it is in an inconvenient location, and more importantly it's not used like a modifier key because you have to press and release it before typing the combination character. So instead of pressing and holding Meta, then typing the dot key, then releasing both (to get the last argument of the previous command line in bash for example), I have to press ESC, then release ESC and then type the dot. If I don’t do that, and hold the ESC key down, the repetition kicks in and that breaks key sequences.

But I really want to press and hold meta, press the dot, and then release them both at once. Exactly like the combinations that you use with the Ctrl key, or the Mac keyboard commands you use with the Command key. I want to use the meta key like the Ctrl key, which is the natural way to use it. The ESC fallback is a less convenient substitute which we’re forced to use, unfortunately... But I hate it.

So, if you know of a way to assign the meta role to some key other than the Option key in a way that allows me to use it like a real modifier key that can be held pressed without going into repetition, then that would be the solution I am looking for. And I guess the “other key” can pretty much only be Caps Lock or Fn.

I don't know, but suspect you'll get an answer posting to the Unix forum under OS X Technologies where the Unix and Terminal gurus congregate.

nerowolfe: And where would the answer be? That link you gave just leads to the Unix forum. Do you have a specific message/thread in there that contains the answer?

There's a solution in this thread. If it doesn't work for you then you'll need to elaborate on why that is. If you just haven't read it, then scroll up.

Please let us know if you figure this out. I have been looking for a solution to this for years.

It doesn’t seem to be a problem for Mac users who use the US layout because they can get by without the Option key in Terminal. But I use the Swiss German layout, and giving up the Option key is not possible because I can’t even type the @ without it on this layout.

It would be really great if somebody figured out how to assign this Meta functionality to caps lock, or the Fn key. I would also appreciate a technical description what this checkbox in the Terminal settings actually does. Then maybe I could find a workaround. Does it send a special sequence to the shell?