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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: imagine7xy on Sun, 31 October 2010, 11:28:03

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: imagine7xy on Sun, 31 October 2010, 11:28:03
Hello, I am a programmer/gamer. I know it would be great for programming and I like the minimalistic layout, however, I wonder how effective it would be in games/software that use the arrow keys/function keys/etc. I do not like the positioning for the FN keys, is there anyway to remap them?

I think it is a little silly that any of the FN shortcuts are on the right hand side of the board, even sillier that there is only one FN switch but yet the shortcuts span both the left/right side of the board. I think it would be feasible if I could map all the FN keys to the left side of the board, like arrow keys WSAD, Q = Page Up, E = Page Down, etc.

Then I think I would have to make a Control key on both sides of the board, so I would switch the OS key and Control (which is where Caps Lock is - something I actually like a lot.)
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: Rajagra on Sun, 31 October 2010, 12:32:49
Quote from: imagine7xy;240750
I think it is a little silly that any of the FN shortcuts are on the right hand side of the board, even sillier that there is only one FN switch but yet the shortcuts span both the left/right side of the board. I think it would be feasible if I could map all the FN keys to the left side of the board, like arrow keys WSAD, Q = Page Up, E = Page Down, etc.

Then I think I would have to make a Control key on both sides of the board, so I would switch the OS key and Control (which is where Caps Lock is - something I actually like a lot.)


You can set the left diamond key to work as another Fn key. Or buy the Japanese version:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6215&stc=1&d=1260244880)

Or wait for the HHKB Pro 3 which will probably be nothing like this:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5215&d=1255823941)
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: imagine7xy on Sun, 31 October 2010, 13:23:10
Thanks for the Welcome ripster.

I like the HHKB3 layout there! However, still I see some problems but for a minimalistic keyboard I've never seen better.

IMO what we really need is a company that will make a board of ultimate versatility, where you can re-arrange the keys/switches yourself and have a piece of software you flash the firmware with your own layouts.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: ironman31 on Sun, 31 October 2010, 14:43:03
I don't mind my the function for the arrow keys, I just use my pinky to hold it down while using my index and middle finger for the arrows. And if you wanted to keep your fingers on the home row, just map the left diamond to function and use your left ring finger to hold it down while your pinky uses the arrow keys
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: eMps on Sun, 31 October 2010, 15:57:05
Quote from: imagine7xy;240793
IMO what we really need is a company that will make a board of ultimate versatility, where you can re-arrange the keys/switches yourself and have a piece of software you flash the firmware with your own layouts.


Sounds a bit like the Miniguru..

Who's persuasive enough to change lowpoly's mind?
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 01 November 2010, 07:45:03
You can remap the left Meta (diamond) key to Fn.  Once you use it, though, you will quickly find out why the Fn key is in its original spot.  It's a lot easier to rest your right pinky on Fn and press the keys on the right side than to press Fn with your left hand.  Unless you use a Mac, you're probably not going to use the second layer keys on the left much.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: imagine7xy on Mon, 01 November 2010, 11:33:22
I think I would have preferred making Control the FN key, then WASD could have been used with one hand as the arrow keys, there are a lot of old games that use the arrow keys simultaneously with the mouse such as StarCraft and you cannot remap them.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 01 November 2010, 11:46:04
If you're looking for a gaming 'board, you probably wouldn't want the HHKB at the top of your list.  It's primarily designed for text entry.  UNIX programming and EMACS use, specifically.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: Superfluous Parentheses on Mon, 01 November 2010, 15:28:01
Quote from: ripster;241127
Unix Beards don't play games?


Don't know any that do. Personally, I've got other stuff to waste time on.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 01 November 2010, 15:35:25
Quote from: ripster;241244
Well, Linux is an excellent OS for people who don't like gaming.


Damn, son!
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 01 November 2010, 15:39:18
Quote from: ripster;241244
Well, Linux is an excellent OS for people who don't like gaming.


Not so true anymore, now that Steam works via Wine.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: Superfluous Parentheses on Mon, 01 November 2010, 17:04:36
Quote from: ripster;241244
Well, Linux is an excellent OS for people who don't like gaming.


OSX is an official UNIX, you know. (Unlike Linux).
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: Superfluous Parentheses on Mon, 01 November 2010, 18:36:57
Quote from: ripster;241309
Do you mean Linux is a FAKE like ALPS Fukkas?


Depends on which you prefer.
Title: HHKB Pro 2 Question
Post by: woody on Thu, 04 November 2010, 18:53:50
Quote from: superfluous parentheses;241295
osx is an official unix, you know. (unlike linux).

omg. :-)
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