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    Capslock: Extend vs Backspace

    • Started by Dave
    • 4 Replies:
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    • Registered: 09-Sep-2015
    • Posts: 9

    I found Caps as Backspace quickly felt natural and much nicer than the traditional Backspace key, it's great to have this frequently used key close by and not have to move a hand off the home row.

    That said, having the arrow / cursor keys under the home row via a mod key is also super appealing.

    I'm torn between these.  I suppose I could put backspace in that mod layer, maybe make it Caps-A so its a nice roll of adjacent keys similar to just striking Caps with the pinky.

    Any comments or suggestions?

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
    • Posts: 5,361

    Have you read my sig topics, about Extend?

    Yes, put Back in the mod layer. I think it's perfect. You use it a lot, so I think Caps+A will be a little too stressful. I use a 2-hand approach which is perfect for normal typing; for other things there's always the physical Back key.

    Last edited by DreymaR (11-Sep-2015 15:57:17)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
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    • From: UK
    • Registered: 14-Apr-2014
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    Dave said:

    Any comments or suggestions?

    Mod key / Extend is the way to go. Then put your backspace in the Extend layer. Although it may seem weird to have to hit two keys for backspace, in practise it's more comfortable that a single poorly-positioned key. 

    If you are using CapsLock as Extend, I would use a right-hand key for backspace. I use H (in its Mod-DH position), but O is also a good choice.

    Last edited by stevep99 (12-Sep-2015 16:05:53)

    Using Colemak-DH with Seniply.

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    • Registered: 09-Sep-2015
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    Awesome resource you have there DreymaR, had not read. I'll be working on digesting and incorporating that for a while. Thanks!

    Extend Backspace it is then!

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
    • Posts: 5,361

    Try it out at least. I can't promise it'll be as good for you as for me, but I strongly suggest that you give it a few weeks at least.

    You may also want to read my Extreme Extend post. One of the great things about using Extend Backspace is the ease of Ctrl+Back which deletes a word! That's beautiful once you get used to it.

    Last edited by DreymaR (15-Sep-2015 19:10:38)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
    *** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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