[mtrichardson]

Not in Lion - by default holding down a key will bring up the accent menu. You can turn it off by following this http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/04/enable-key-repeat-mac-os-x-li... (though I've found it more useful to keep it on).

[cubicle67]

cool, thanks, didn't know that :) Unfortunately I'm stuck on 10.6 here as this machine's too old to upgrade. Tested it and everything before I replied, just in case I was wrong.