Re: minibuffer output to buffer

[Kevin Rodgers]

David Combs wrote:
> In article <mailman.335.1163022806.2155.help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>,
> Dieter Wilhelm  <dieter@duenenhof-wilhelm.de> wrote:
>> Gary Wessle <phddas@yahoo.com> writes:
>>
>>> how can I get the output which shows in the mini buffer into the
>>> current buffer.
>>> example
>>> M-x emacs-version shows in minibuffer.
>>
>> With a numeric prefix of M-x.  For example:
>>
>> I'm used to press the ALT key while typing - then x (M-- M-x)
>> or C-u M-x
>> or C-1 M-x
>> or M-1 M-x
>
> COOL!
>
> THANK YOU!!!
>
> But -- what's this use of the ALT key?
>
> Does nothing (as prefix) for me -- msg still goes to minibuf (or whatever
> it's called).

It is not a prefix key (pressed before another key), it is a modifier
key (pressed simultaneously with another key).  In this case, the Alt
key is acting as the Meta modifier.  Just as typing Shift-a produces the
character A, typing Alt-x produces the Meta-x character.

> Now, I'm using a SUN keyboard (with control-key in "right",
> "old-time" location, left of "a"), on sunBlade-100, Solaris 9.
>
> What effect might that have (on my ALT working differently
> from yours)?

If I recall, modern Emacs versions map the Alt key (or perhaps the
diamond key) to the Meta modifier by default, assuming your terminal or
X server (depending on whether you're running emacs in a terminal or as
an X application) are configured correctly/normally.

--
Kevin