[SwellJoe]

I've always wondered why it wasn't the default in Linux to have a compose key configured, and I used to have it set in the distant past.

I just found it's editable in the Gnome settings editor. Browse to Keyboard->Shortcuts->Typing. Then click the "Disabled" next to Compose, which will allow selection of the compose key. The directions at the bottom of the settings window are simply incorrect, or don't apply to this particular screen, I dunno. Regardless, it works well for most common characters (the only language I regularly type with need for them is Spanish, so it covers all the bases there).