Getting Started with XEmacs, LISP, CM and CLM


Common Music, Common Lisp Music, LISP and Emacs are each by itself complex environments with steep learning curves, and-alas!-so is the computing environment at CCRMA. The good news, however, is that you can help yourself a great deal by following a few simple rules, a few simple steps, and familiarizing yourself with some important facts:

  1. Use Linux or SGI Machines Only

    CCRMA has now 8 Linux machines and 2 SGI's, so there should be no need for using NeXT machines at all. The black NeXT's are simply too slow and white NeXT's have disappointing LISP support. Plus, both NeXT platforms lack a decent Web browser. The page "Linux@ccrma" lists all machines running Linux and "how to switch from one operating system to the other" tells you what to do if one of them happens to run NeXTStep.

  2. Update Your ~/.emacs File

    I've prepared two (X)Emacsconfiguration files which you should copy to your home directory:

  3. .emacs
  4. .xemacs-options
  5. The files work with both, Emacs and XEmacs, and on all platforms, with or without X or NeXTStep.
    Warning: saving the files in your home directory overwrites files that may already be there, if you've set up your own custom .emacs or .xemacs-options file. Make sure you backup them first and merge them back in later!

  6. Use XEmacs Instead of Emacs

    XEmacs is simply better, nicer, and easier to use. In a terminal window, type xemacs instead of emacs at the prompt.

  7. Understand How XEmacs, LISP, CM, and CLM Interact

    Read "Mastering XEmacs and LISP, CM and CLM Files" now.

  8. Gradually Expand Your Knowledge

    Keep reading up on how to use XEmacs, LISP, CM, and CLM. Go through the on-line Emacs tutorial (type C-h t to start it). Skim over the CLM manual and read the Stella Tutorial. Keep a browser window with the Common Music Dictionary within reach and familiarize yourself with the documentation on LISP. But: Always remember that small pieces of information well understood are more useful than vast material only half digested!


©1997 tkunze@ccrma.stanford.edu Back