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    Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.

    • Started by rogal
    • 7 Replies:
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    • Registered: 30-Dec-2007
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    30-Dec-2007 09:07:09#1 Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.

    Hi there,

    It is my second day of Colemak and typing is pain in the ass right now. :) Hope it will improve in a few weeks.

    Anyway, there is a solution to the hotkey problem if you use AutoHotKey.

    First of all, you can designate your own hotkey for switching between two or more layouts,
    https://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27029

    You can recognize which layout is in effect, and designate hotkeys accordingly.
    https://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewto … 092#169092

    Thus you can do this: when you press Ctrl + s in standard English Layout, Ctrl + s is sent. When you press Ctrl + r in Colemak Layout, Ctrl + s is sent. Hence, you can type in Colemak or Dvorak while maintaining all the hotkeys in QWERTY.

    Hope this is useful. :)

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    • From: Viken, Norway
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    30-Dec-2007 10:45:19#2 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.

    That would be possible, but not in accordance with the main installation. Since the Autohotkey solution is a secondary means for most users (I think), things might get a little confusing with this "double bookkeeping".

    Also, I tend to remember hotkeys by their key names. After a while of using Colemak I now think of the R key as the R key, not as the "R-which-used-to-be-an-O-which-used-to-be-an-S". (I even had to think hard to remember that it used to be an O in Dvorak!) This, I fear, would make seasoned Colemak users even more confused.

    But some would like this, and you're free to make an implementation of it should you see fit to do so. Who knows, maybe I'm all wrong and the majority would appreciate such functionality?

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

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    • Registered: 23-Dec-2007
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    30-Dec-2007 15:49:31#3 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.

    FYI:
    There also is the possibilty to leave the VK_-values as they are, while changing only the letters that are typed.
    So I can type in normal Dvorak, but Q, J and K behave like X, C and V on QWERTY. E.g. Ctrl-J on Dvorak lets me cut while Ctrl-K let me paste.
    You  can do this yourself with "Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator". Seems like a Windows-only workaround though.

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    30-Dec-2007 21:13:14#4 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.
    DreymaR said:

    I tend to remember hotkeys by their key names. After a while of using Colemak I now think of the R key as the R key, not as the "R-which-used-to-be-an-O-which-used-to-be-an-S".

    I see your point and I agree with you. However the problem with Hotkeys is that not only the characters but also the locations matter. For example, I use Windows + e key a lot to call the explorer, (actually FreeCommander) and the new location of e key is very hard to press with left hand. This kind of problem deteriorate my productivity.

    Another problem is that I'm a Korean, and when I change into Korean layout, I have to use QWERTY layout when I use Hotkeys. Very confusing.

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    30-Dec-2007 21:23:16#5 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.
    Chase said:

    You  can do this yourself with "Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator". Seems like a Windows-only workaround though.

    Thanks a lot for the information. I will definitely try this. :)

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    30-Dec-2007 21:34:52#6 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.
    Chase said:

    FYI:
    There also is the possibilty to leave the VK_-values as they are, while changing only the letters that are typed.
    So I can type in normal Dvorak, but Q, J and K behave like X, C and V on QWERTY. E.g. Ctrl-J on Dvorak lets me cut while Ctrl-K let me paste.

    I have tried this, but it seems there is no way I can designates hotkeys with the Windows Key. I end up using AutoHotKey again.

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    • From: Viken, Norway
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    30-Dec-2007 21:55:11#7 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.

    Not everything uses VK_ assignments. On a side note, I didn't manage to change VK codes in MSKLC, so I edited the .klc file directly back when I made my layout files.

    Yes, it's a problem when positions get moved around. As a former Dvorak user, I can truly relate to that. Couldn't your program change the hotkey assignments though?

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

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    31-Dec-2007 10:38:34#8 Re: Colemak/Dvorak Hotkey solution.
    DreymaR said:

    Not everything uses VK_ assignments. On a side note, I didn't manage to change VK codes in MSKLC, so I edited the .klc file directly back when I made my layout files.

    Yes, it's a problem when positions get moved around. As a former Dvorak user, I can truly relate to that. Couldn't your program change the hotkey assignments though?

    Oops it seems like the VK_ thing is a perfect solution .. it works like charm! It works with windows keys too. (Last time it was my mistake ..)

    Thanks for the tip. :)

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