Hey,
I would like some suggestions for where to place some of the frequently used symbols on my Kinesis advantage. I write a lot of c++, bash scripting, and html/javascript.
I have (via xkb magic) the option to hold down one of the thumb keys (delete?) as an extra layer modifier, so placing symbols on the home row or nearby is possible. I dislike too much chording, and find that same-hand chords above the home row feel inaccurate.. using shift with my pinky currently feels equally as comfortable as the thumb key, although this might change after a few more weeks..
Just wondering if anyone here has some input and suggestions for handling symbols..
Colemak forum
Forum for the Colemak keyboard layout.
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colemak on kinesis, programming
- Started by innovine
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xcb magic? You mean, you hacked it yourself or there's an app or setting manager or something doing this?
I've used the layer5 mappings myself, so I'm curious (see my sig topic about the Extend layer). On a side note, if you like me are prone to pesky Windows moments then PKL with Extend mappings does this for you. ;)
Last edited by DreymaR (18-Oct-2012 07:37:01)
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I've implemented it via xkb, it was a while ago so I forget the exact details. My thumb key (alt?) activates the third level modifier, so I can specify the key like this in the symbols/my_keymap file: key <AC02> { [ s, S, parenleft ] }; key <AD05> { [ t, T, parenright ] };
I've used the Kinesis hardware remapping to implement a colemak layout for the letters. keys AC02 and AD05 are s and t in a qwerty layout. This is a mess I don't care to revisit :)
I don't think I have an ALT key at the moment, I remember doing a lot of experimenting and remapping it but I can't remember what I did, plus I don't use it anyway..
Plenty of room for improvements to this but at least its quick and easy to move the symbols around and access them with a thumb modifier.
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aaaannyway, I would like to focus more on designing a decent, programmer-friendly colemak layout on a Kinesis, than get lost in the implementation at the moment (we can have a separate discussion for that), so layout suggestions please!
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Oh right, sorry. I take lv3-4 for granted but not all US peeps do it seems. Backwards redneck... oops, sorry about that.
Naturally, this has been discussed on these forums on several occasions. Of note is this old topic where several proposals are made. Also, this one and this one. I don't think any of them are Kinesis exclusive although it is mentioned a lot, but they should still be of interest to you?
Then again, you've already seen those haven't you? :þ
Last edited by DreymaR (18-Oct-2012 09:40:03)
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I think I've seen the majority :] I find the Kinesis has a different 'feel' to it, and some chords and stretches which I used on the Typematrix no longer feel as stable and predictable. I'm still getting used to the Kinesis though
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Simply swapping LShift-Z and RShift-"?/" takes a lot of strain off the pinkies. Putting Tab on a thumb key also helps me a lot.
The big problem with the Kinesis for me is the really awkward cursor keys. I don't know what to do about those.
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