RE: pasting many times

[Drew Adams]

    > I see :) , let me rephrase: My problem isn't much the number of
    > keystrokes, but an ability to repeat a simple command a certain
    > number of times, just like C-x RET c <charset> RET
    > <command>. Defining a macro for such a thing just seems to be an
    > overkill.

    I have to agree with this. Some years ago, when I was quite green with
    Emacs and had just learnt how to use C-u together with different
    commands, I naturally tried to use it together with yank to yank the
    same text X number of times. To my surprise it did not work as I
    expected. Of course I know why now, and the reason is that the yank
    command interprets a numeric prefix command in a different way.
    Personally I don't think I ever used that functionality in yank, that
    is, being able to yank an older kill (I don't see how people can keep
    track of the number of the kill they want, I rather use M-y after
    doing C-y), although I am sure there are many who love this feature.

FWIW, I happen to agree with Mathias. If I want an earlier kill, I use C-y
M-y.