How to make keyboard work like OSX System Wide?

Question

I switch back and forth between two computers constantly:

• OSX Snow Leopard
• Ubuntu 10.10

I'd like to be able to make Ubuntu use the same keyboard shortcuts as OSX System Wide, for the following keyboard sequences only (ie I don't want to make Ctrl act like Super)

• Super+C -> Copy

• Super+V -> Paste

• Super+T -> Open a new tab in whatever browser I'm in.

• Super+W -> Close a tab in whatever browser I'm in.

So in short, is there anyway for me to map just these keyboard sequences to the following, system wide ?

• Super+C -> Ctrl+C
• Super+V -> Ctrl+V
• Super+T -> Ctrl+T
• Super+W -> Ctrl+W

Note: I know there are ways for me to do this for vim, and firefox, and I'm sure specifically for most applications.... but I would prefer to have to do this just once and have it work that way system wide. thanks!

Note 2: I'm using a standard PC keyboard, ie "Generic 105 key (intl) PC" on Ubuntu. And I'm actually using the same keyboard on my macmini.

Answer 1

If you install the xautomation package, you can add a command in System/Preferences/Keyboard Shortcuts/Custom like:

xte "keyup Meta_L" "keyup c" "keydown Control_L" "key c" "keyup Control_L"

and map that to Meta-C.

---

Alternative Solution:

Install AutoKey (apt-get install autokey-gtk) and set a phrase to:

Phrase Text: <ctrl>+C (actually type out the <ctrl>+ here)
Paste Using: Keyboard
Abbreviation: None
Hotkey: <super>+v
Window Filter: None

Answer 2

There is a way to map Ctrl to Win/Super key:

1. go to system->preferences->keyboard,

2. open tab Layouts,

3. click Options...,

4. open Alt/Win key behavior,

5. and select Control is mapped to Win keys

And for console there is a forum post how to do that here.

For more digging check general Linux keyboard HOWTO here.

regards :P

Answer 3

This is an easy task once you know how to do it.

1) Check the keycode of yours key. Run this program at terminal.

xev

At this example, the terminal shows that the keycode for my k is "45".

2) Change them as you like creating this file:

gedit ~/.Xmodmap

It's contents should look like this example:

keycode 64 = Alt_L Meta_L Alt_L Meta_L
keycode 108 = ISO_Level3_Shift NoSymbol ISO_Level3_Shift

(Change the keycode number as needed - look at step "1")

Ilustration:
(Obs.: if I want to change my k I should use "keycode 45" as showed at step "1").

4) Logout and log back in or reboot or run this:

xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

Hope you enjoy ;-)

Answer 4

I am not sure if this is the answer you are really looking for, but it seems that you can do this by manually. I do not have a ubuntu box in front of me at the moment to try this, but How To Geek has a tutorial for this that may work.

Answer 5

I don't have Ubuntu to hand (Mac's here, Ubu's at the office) but I use a Mac keyboard there and for the same reasons as you, wanted to do this.

First thing is to make sure your keyboard was installed as a Mac keyboard. I think you can change this in system->preferences->keyboard. While you're there one of the tabs will get you to a key mapping page where you can set up how the cmd key works.

Like I say, I can't remember exactly - I can point to the bits on my screen here, but that doessn't work because I'm not there.

If you're still stuck tomorrow, I'll look again.