keyboards without INSERT key

[mare-imbrium]

Search as you type is invoked on INSERT key. But many keyboards (bluetooth keyboards) don't have this key. Is there any other alternative to accessing this mode? (I am on Mac OS Sierra). Thanks.

edit: I am aware of the -i flag, and that I can go into this mode by pressing / but then i come out immediately.

I have checked various articles on simulating the INSERT key (such as Fn+ENTER, fn+i, etc but none are working. Could you give another key in addition, something unused, that you don't intend using in the foreseeable future.). I can suggest Ctrl-s but i don't know all the key mappings off-hand.

[jarun]

Keys with special meanings (e.g. ^S, ^C, ^Q etc. have issues in certain workflows with ncurses. Can't use those. Can you suggest some other keys?

[mare-imbrium]

You could use something like +. Or C-y (y from type).

Alternatively, I usually like to have a menu key which pops up various choices. That way you avoid mapping too many keys at the top level. Perhaps you have seen this in mc. Ctrl-x is one option. I often use the tilde as a menu key. I also use = for various toggles (long listing, hidden files, pager/edit mode etc). A submenu pops up with a single key per option.

[jarun]

^Y is already in use. I will think of something.

I usually like to have a menu key which pops up various choices

It's a design decision not to use any config file. Hence the permanent settlement. I think people get used to these over time. vi has 100s of more keybinds than nnn. Do you see people change the defaults often? It's just a matter of spending some time playing with it and getting familiar. You can't have this speed and this footprint with every possible customization. And of course, nnn can't be everyone's choice. No utility is.

[mare-imbrium]

It's a design decision not to use any config file. Hence the permanent settlement.

I am not talking of any config file. I only attach various options to a key. They are preconfigured options. So instead of assigning a key to each option at the highest level, they are assigned at a second level, to save keys and memorising too much. That was just a thought or idea.

I myself don't like over-customization, or having too many features. Best to do a small task and do it well. nnn does a great job at what it does.

[jarun]

I have added ^I as the alternative key.