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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SSIPAK on Tue, 13 May 2014, 18:12:26

Title: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: SSIPAK on Tue, 13 May 2014, 18:12:26
Hey guys,

I wanted to ask, what does the key next to alt do?

thanks
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: daerid on Tue, 13 May 2014, 18:46:50
That's generally called a "Meta" key. In Windows, it is the Windows key. In OSX it's the Command key. In Linux it's the Super key.
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: swornxin on Tue, 13 May 2014, 19:04:27
Thank you, I was wondering this too.  Considering picking one up at Elite Keyboards when I'm in California next week.
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: neunelfer on Tue, 13 May 2014, 19:14:50
One thing to note is that when the dip switches are set up for HHKB mode, it does nothing. They have to be in Lite or Mac mode in order for it to function.
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: riotonthebay on Tue, 13 May 2014, 19:28:07

One thing to note is that when the dip switches are set up for HHKB mode, it does nothing. They have to be in Lite or Mac mode in order for it to function.

Are you sure about that? That doesn't make a lot of sense. Have you looked at what key code is being sent when in HHKB mode? (I'll do this later myself, but don't have time at the moment.)
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: ComradeSniper on Tue, 13 May 2014, 19:29:14

One thing to note is that when the dip switches are set up for HHKB mode, it does nothing. They have to be in Lite or Mac mode in order for it to function.

Are you sure about that? That doesn't make a lot of sense. Have you looked at what key code is being sent when in HHKB mode? (I'll do this later myself, but don't have time at the moment.)

It does send a key code in HHKB mode--I use mine as a push to talk key.  Doesn't function as a meta key though.
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: riotonthebay on Tue, 13 May 2014, 19:31:24


One thing to note is that when the dip switches are set up for HHKB mode, it does nothing. They have to be in Lite or Mac mode in order for it to function.

Are you sure about that? That doesn't make a lot of sense. Have you looked at what key code is being sent when in HHKB mode? (I'll do this later myself, but don't have time at the moment.)

It does send a key code in HHKB mode--I use mine as a push to talk key.  Doesn't function as a meta key though.

Thanks for the clarification :thumb:
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: SSIPAK on Tue, 13 May 2014, 20:50:52
Thanks for all your help, I got it all figured out.
Btw which mode are you guys using for windows 8? I left mine on Lite mode.
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: daerid on Wed, 14 May 2014, 00:49:58
When I had my HHKB, I always kept it in Mac mode, regardless of OS
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: VilaBobz on Sat, 24 May 2014, 16:54:17
It's the meta key
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: Smasher816 on Sat, 24 May 2014, 19:58:23
When I had my HHKB, I always kept it in Mac mode, regardless of OS

I have been running my hhkb in Mac mode even though I am on Linux (I figured they were both unix based). Without the switch set it does send a keycode but it is not the windows (or super) key. If I remember right it was reported as "Kana" or some other Japanese related key. I could check but I really don't want to open this thing back up again and install the stock controller, lol.
Title: Re: Question regarding HHKB
Post by: RESPRiT on Sun, 25 May 2014, 00:34:01
When I had my HHKB, I always kept it in Mac mode, regardless of OS

I have been running my hhkb in Mac mode even though I am on Linux (I figured they were both unix based). Without the switch set it does send a keycode but it is not the windows (or super) key. If I remember right it was reported as "Kana" or some other Japanese related key. I could check but I really don't want to open this thing back up again and install the stock controller, lol.
[/quote

If it sent a Japanese key, is it possible that even a non-JIS HHKB could be used for typing in Japanese? I'm completely unfamiliar with Japanese typing and stuff, but I wonder if it's somewhat of a feature given that it's a Japanese product.