The history of Alt+number sequences

Back in my BBS days I would use ALT+255 to create a <null> blank character. Windows couldn't display it, but the FTP programs I used could. That made it fun/easy to "hide" an FTP server dump location on a windows server.

The windows admin could see that the drive was filling up but not which directory was the cause.

Linux could see it. And so could my FTP client. (Enter fond memories of using FXP here too)

For multiple layers of chaos I might create multiple "blank" directories but only store the 'real' files multiple layers deep. For added "legitimacy" I might include the contents of \system or \print or something. I can't remember exactly.

Fond memories of having a handy cheatsheet printed out for doing homework and chatting on MSN Messenger, until of course I memorized them (or maybe I printed it for the benefit of others).

It was always odd to me that é was out of sequence:

  Alt+160 => á
  Alt+130 => é
  Alt+161 => í
  Alt+162 => ó
  Alt+163 => ú
  Alt+164 => ñ
  Alt+165 => Ñ

Most people with US keyboards had no idea how to type ñ/Ñ, the most important out of the bunch.

I learned about the Alt characters a long time ago when I wanted to type “Pokémon” in the gamefaqs message boards. I never knew until now why higher numbers didn’t do anything different.

TIL that the reason these alt+ sequences never worked for me is because you have to use the number pad...

It would be great to make this feature relevant again but use decimal unicode codes, and have it work in linux too this way; it can be really useful now and then (as an alternative to looking up the unicode character on the internet and copypasting it)

I remember using this back in the day for ALT+0160 to type non breaking space, which could do funny things in forums and chat programs like MSN and ICQ

alt-255 alt-255 alt-30

alt-30 alt-255 alt-30

new friends can't triforce

> For example, you could enter ñ by holding Alt and typing Numpad1 Numpad6 Numpad4, then releasing the Alt key.

To this day, this remains the best way to insert the character, I have tried the PowerToys Quick Accent [1] but I had so many missed characters when typing fast.

[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/quick-ac...

I wonder why they made this work only on the numpad?

Are these sequences available on laptop keyboards or some of the smaller keyboards that have no numpad? I’m working on a Lenovo Trackpoint II keyboard and alt-0176 should create the degrees sign but I can’t figure out how to do it.

When we were learning typing in high school, some of the geekier kids were using alt-224, etc to selectively replace some English chars with Greek ones. The not-so-techy teacher were scratching her head on how we were typing in Greek.

My first keyboard on a 286 didn't have: alt+039:' alt+060:< alt+062:> They are still burned in my memory.

ALT-3 ♥

Unfortunately, for some reason unbeknownst to me, this doesn't work any longer on Windows 10+11

> This means that whether the Alt+… value is taken mod 256 depends on what kind of control you are typing into.

By default, the value is taken mod 256, and Alt+9731 gives you a heart.

But if you happen to be using a RichEdit control, then the Alt+… value is taken mod 65536, and Alt+9731 gives you a snowman.

And that is why some people hate Windows with so much passion. Not that other OSes don't have their peculiarities of course...

Ah, is this one of the reasons Windows users are so attached to full-sized keyboards with numpads? In any discussion of TKL-or-smaller keyboards, there’s a cohort of people baffled at how any keyboard without a numpad could be fit for purpose. I take it this Windows feature is among the reasons why.