Caps Lock as FVWM Key

Introduction

Many people think of Caps Lock as a very annoying key at an annoying position. Lots of us also know Windows, Amiga, or Macintosh keys, which are special for keybindings used in these environments. But what about a FVWM key, which all keybindings are bound to, so that other applications can make use of all other modifiers like CTRL, Alt and Shift? Here we go ...

Changing Xmodmap

First of all we need to remove the original function of Caps Lock, then we can make it a new modifier to be used in FVWM keybindings. We need to edit ~/.xmodmap if this is read automatically at startup of your X Session. If not, change it, or edit a similar xmodmap file, that is read. You need the following lines:

remove Lock = Caps_Lock
add mod4 = Caps_Lock

After changing this you need to run:

xmodmap ~/.xmodmap

Now Caps Lock acts as a fourth modifier key.

An other way is to place

Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:nocaps"

in your XF86Config[-4]

Binding Keys

Now we are going to make use of our new defined modifier. That is quite as easy as step one. In the modifier column of your keybinding-defining line just use 4 instead of C, M or S:

Key Left        A 4     Scroll -100 +0
Key Up          A 4     Scroll +0 -100
Key Right       A 4     Scroll +100 +0
Key Down        A 4     Scroll +0 +100

This lets you change your desktop pages using Caps+Arrow Keys