Hmm. If spice has a method for programming keys without needing to use the PN layer I will be quite pleased. I've never seen a way to do this and would also be interested in knowing how.
Found it on his GuiFN topic :
LAZY QUOTE STARTS :
Poker 2:
Thanks to the location of the built-in Fn key, the Poker 2 is compatible with GuiFN. This occured to me only after designing GuiFN, which I tried first on a Poker X, on a GH60 and on an HHKB. After noticing this, I ordered a Poker 2. GuiFN has not been designed for the Poker 2, but it happens to work perfectly on it!
The Poker 2 can be easily programmed by the user without using any software. The user enters the mapping by hand, and it's retained after the keyboard is turned off or disconnected from the computer.
By default, the functions you program are only accessible by pressing the Pn key together with the programmed key.
However, you also have a special mode that allows you to bypass the Pn key. In this mode, pressing a key invokes what you have programmed, no need to press Pn. This mode allows you to completely reprogram the keyboard. For example you can convert the Poker 2 to DVORAK using this. The original function of the key is still accessible by pressing Pn and the key. To get the original Fn- meaning of the key, press Fn-Pn- and the key.
We are going to use this special mode, which also allows to reprogram the Fn layer.
First, let's check that the keyboard is not write-protected. Under the keyboard, the DIP switch 4 must be in the OFF position.
Now, let's reprogram just two keys to see how it's done. We are going to change the Caps Lock key so that pressing it directly will produce a backquote and pressing it together with Fn will give access to the original Caps Lock function. Press the keys in this order:
Key Comment
--------------- ----------------
Fn-Ctrl - enter programming mode - the LED at the right end of the space bar blinks
CapsLock - the key we want to program - the LED stops blinking
Fn-Esc - the character it should produce: this is how you get the backquote on the Poker 2
Pn - we are done programming CapsLock, the LED starts blinking again
Fn-CapsLock - we are going to program Fn-CapsLock
CapsLock - what Fn-CapsLock should do
Pn - we are done programming Fn-CapsLock
Fn-Ctrl - exit programming mode, the LED is now off
Finally press Fn-Shift (the Shift at the right of the keyboard). The LED at the left end of the space bar lights up. It means you can now use the programmed keys without using Pn.
Press CapsLock and you should get a backquote. Shift-CapsLock should do the tilde. Fn-CapsLock puts the keyboard in Caps mode, and will turn on the LED under the CapsLock key.
Not bad.
END QUOTE.
Pretty straightforward, he's using the Toggle mode on the Poker II which REVERSE the PN and normal mode, which means all of your keystrokes will output programmed outputs. It also allows to reprogram the FN layer as well and if you hold PN it will output the standard output.
Let's say i have "iliketurtles" on my PN + I key
In normal mode :
i = i
PN + i = iliketurtles
FN + i = insert
PN + FN + i = undefined in this case.
In Toggle mode :
i - iliketurtles
PN + i = i
FN + i = undefined in this case
PN + FN + i = insert
That's how he does it.
It's a nice workarround but it's not "pure" reprogramming the basic layer. It completly kills the PN functions as far as i understand.
He'll come back in here maybe point out if i misunderstood something.
Anyway now you know how he does it he's pretty smart.
PN + i = i
