I've implemented an special select mode in rlworkbench that simplifies selecting different portions of a document. Here is a demo of it.

The select mode is entered by pressing ctrl+l for se(l)ect. The mode is a quasimode meaning that it is only active while the 'l' key is still pressed. (The ctrl key can be released.)

In the select mode buttons to different things:

• Pressing 'r' extends the selection to the current (r)egion leaped over

• Pressing 'e' extends the selection to lin(e) boundaries

• Pressing 'a' extends the selection to p(a)ragraph boundaries

The editor is also in select mode when clicking and dragging with the mouse. So the same keys can be used there. (That is why all the keys are on the left side of the keyboard, since, for me, I operate the mouse with the right hand.)

Having an explicit select mode frees up more keys for select operations. So far I find it a little uncomfortable sustaining the 'l' key, but I feel like it has potential.