> While this solves the ALT key problem, it makes it
> impossible to type in umlauts or other non-ASCII
> characters - the application (ie emacs) treats them
> as ALT combinations.
> I don't have an idea yet how to deal with this
> reasonably.

IMHO, the solution is to use something like PCVT_META_ESC...
(convert M-x into ESC x on input).  

(I've got that coded up but there are some unresolved issues with how
i've done it..)

					- Bill