For any linux folk who haven't tried something like this yet, keyd and wtype are what I settled on, having tried the kmonads, interceptiontools, xscapes, kanatas, etc. (though I've been meaning to try kanata out again now it's a bit more mature)
OT: this is the first time Ive encountered a branching article. Awesome. The ability has been there for decades, but never used. Guess going from print to digital is not only a change of tools but a mindset.
For buying new keys, there are many inexpensive (non-mechanical) USB number pads you can get for $10 or less. It's a good way to get started before committing to something more expensive. Or you can even just use an entire second keyboard; most software will let you bind shortcuts to a specific keyboard.
For software, Hammerspoon [0] is a free option that can handle arbitrary key mappings/macros; however, you'll have to program it yourself, it's more of a hacker's tool than something with a friendly UI.
Was always my first tweak to a new machine - such an obvious change. Moving to a split keyboard gave me three keys at each thumb - the same kind of realization. We have two thumbs that most keyboards map to a single space bar. The thumb is a really solid finger for modifiers.
Another nice thing about a custom keyboard is not needing to map the keys - it's in the firmware.
Caps Lock <—> Esc should honestly be standardized on keyboards. Esc is used pretty often in my experience while Caps Lock, being modal, only gets the occasional press even when used.
The only keyboard customisation that I want is to include a trackpoint (or any poiting device) in my TKL keyboard. Such a common sense requirement for devs, but literally zero solutions that are actualy affordable.
I like mechanical keyboards and the likes with a lot of key travel. So not a fan of these laptop keyboards. That and cost and availability too. That keyboard does not appear to be available on my country...
Fair, although I used to prefer the old chonky Thinkpad keyboards to anything else. There was (is?) a Model M style buckle spring keyboard with a trackpoint, but it had the numeric pad, so no good to you.
I guess one could do a project-keyboard and add a trackpoint to it. I don't know if you'd have to macgyver it up, or if there's something you can buy as a package for the trackpoint. That would be fun. One could even do a 40% version with it and damn the RSI :)
Nice post.
For any linux folk who haven't tried something like this yet, keyd and wtype are what I settled on, having tried the kmonads, interceptiontools, xscapes, kanatas, etc. (though I've been meaning to try kanata out again now it's a bit more mature)
OT: this is the first time Ive encountered a branching article. Awesome. The ability has been there for decades, but never used. Guess going from print to digital is not only a change of tools but a mindset.
> I know my keyboard looks weird, but stripped of its strange moments, it’s a pretty standard QWERTY.
I'd like to hear you say that once you've searched for a replacement for that 4.5u spacebar, or for Justin's mini-ADA profile f-key keycaps :)
Two notes:
For buying new keys, there are many inexpensive (non-mechanical) USB number pads you can get for $10 or less. It's a good way to get started before committing to something more expensive. Or you can even just use an entire second keyboard; most software will let you bind shortcuts to a specific keyboard.
For software, Hammerspoon [0] is a free option that can handle arbitrary key mappings/macros; however, you'll have to program it yourself, it's more of a hacker's tool than something with a friendly UI.
0: https://www.hammerspoon.org/
Was always mystified about custom keyboards - until I got the idea to do an emoji layer: https://poggers.institute/@j/the-emoji-layer/
Also: swapping colon/semicolon, using fn+hjkl for arrow keys and having Enter at my right thumb.
Once you open that door.
As a vim, linux, shell guy, I still love my mapping of Caps Lock pressed to CTRL und Caps Lock released to ESC.
Being able to reach CTRL and ESC with the little finger while keeping your hands on the home row keys is great.
Was always my first tweak to a new machine - such an obvious change. Moving to a split keyboard gave me three keys at each thumb - the same kind of realization. We have two thumbs that most keyboards map to a single space bar. The thumb is a really solid finger for modifiers.
Another nice thing about a custom keyboard is not needing to map the keys - it's in the firmware.
I do this but better:
- caps + key = control + key
- tap caps = escape
- caps + space + key = ctrl, opt, cmd + key
All done in my keyboard firmware.
This is the way
This is trivial to map on QMK/ZMK mechanical keyboards too, using mod-tap: https://docs.qmk.fm/mod_tap
Caps Lock <—> Esc should honestly be standardized on keyboards. Esc is used pretty often in my experience while Caps Lock, being modal, only gets the occasional press even when used.
Capslock <-> Backspace is my #1 keyboard config. Esc is not bad either. BUT WHY DO I NEED A LARGE KEY FOR SHOUTING?
The only keyboard customisation that I want is to include a trackpoint (or any poiting device) in my TKL keyboard. Such a common sense requirement for devs, but literally zero solutions that are actualy affordable.
You know the Lenovo Thinkpad Trackpoint Keyboard II is a thing, right? It would seem to meet that requirement. What's missing?
Edit: Oh, they're pricey - so that, I guess?
Have you read the post you're commenting on yet?
>What's missing?
I like mechanical keyboards and the likes with a lot of key travel. So not a fan of these laptop keyboards. That and cost and availability too. That keyboard does not appear to be available on my country...
Fair, although I used to prefer the old chonky Thinkpad keyboards to anything else. There was (is?) a Model M style buckle spring keyboard with a trackpoint, but it had the numeric pad, so no good to you.
I guess one could do a project-keyboard and add a trackpoint to it. I don't know if you'd have to macgyver it up, or if there's something you can buy as a package for the trackpoint. That would be fun. One could even do a 40% version with it and damn the RSI :)
The website crashed my firefox (149.0.2 android) 3 times in a row. How to reproduce: open the website, start scrolling
Firefox 150 android w/ ublock: images don't load, rest of page works fine.
I'd guess I'm probably more aggressive in what I block?
Huh, so it's not just me. Got a few crashes on android Firefox 150.0, couldn't read anything
By way of examples, I my favourites were a button to toggle light/dark mode, and the context dependant bit button.