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Author Topic: Remapping HHKB Pro 2  (Read 2813 times)

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Offline Magenda

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 05:50:09 »
I am lurking here for some days now and already have a huge inner desire for a real keyboard.

I am currently using a Logitech Ultra Flat which juggles as hell and produces excessive noise. The feeling is really bad. Next of it there is a macbook pro which has a weird keyboard: absolute silent with velvet touch but I can't type on this thing because the keys are totally flat and my fingers always land in the middlespace of two keys.

What I want is a quiet keyboard with a classy construction and a soft/smooth typing feeling. The major usage will be for programming and typing long texts. Small size (tenkeyless) and black color are also requirements.

I was between Filco Brown and Topre but from videos I find that Filco's sound is kind of disturbing my ears (because of high pitch). I like the "thock" sound of Topres a lot more.

The problem is that I can't find RealForce 87U anywhere (with delivery to Europe) and I don't want the full-keys version. So I am looking to HHKB Pro 2 but the layout is something that worries me. I use arrow keys very often when coding and I also need quick access to both Delete and Backspace.


So here come my questions:

1) Is there a way in OS X to map the arrow keys on "Control" + "J,K,L,I" ? That would be perfect, since both keys for an arrow would be under my fingers as they are placed on the home row.

2) Is it possible to map "Delete forward" on "`"  (the top-right key) ? This would also save me from many headaches, as I want both backspace and delete on single keys.

P.S.: I am aware of Ukelele but have read that Control+key is difficult or impossible to do. Any experience on that?
« Last Edit: Sun, 28 November 2010, 05:53:43 by Magenda »
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woody

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 07:26:16 »
Quote from: Magenda;253287
The problem is that I can't find RealForce 87U anywhere (with delivery to Europe) and I don't want the full-keys version.

Does a 86U work for you? You can have it with few clicks of your preferred pointing device.
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Offline Magenda

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 08:23:14 »
It would be a nice solution, but what stops me is the color. I would like a black-colored keyboard (US/UK layout). White reminds me of the 80s era... :)

I was thinking that I could replace some keys with colored ones to make it more appealing visually but I am not sure if I can find such keys in EU for Topres.
« Last Edit: Sun, 28 November 2010, 08:26:03 by Magenda »
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Offline theferenc

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 08:25:11 »
#2 is actually hard coded in to the board, and you flip a dip switch to get the "Delete" key to act as backspace.

As for #1, it isn't, as far as I know. I haven't had much luck getting OS X to remap any keys effectively, other than the modifiers, which is a function built in to the system.

Though, as the owner of an HHKB, I can tell you that you quickly adjust to the embedded cursor keys.

What IDE do you use, and can you use either vi or emacs cursor control sequences?


Edit: As I reread what you wrote, I see it isn't what I thought it was. The HHKB has FN + ` mapped to delete. Which really, is really really easy to hit one handed, honestly.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline Magenda

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 08:33:48 »
@theferenc

Thats ok, I can compromise with Fn+`  but I would like to quickly handle arrows with a modifier + 3 fingers like in regular layouts.

I am mostly using TextMate...
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Offline theferenc

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 08:40:15 »
Well, would a modifier and 2 fingers work? That's how I use the arrows on mine.

And textmate had emacs movement functionality last time I used it. Ctrl-f for forward, ctrl-b for backwards, -n and -p for next and previous line, respectively. I don't have a mac handy at the moment to try it out, but it should work, at least -f and -b.

Has he gotten around to releasing 2.0 yet? I gave up on waiting about 2 years ago.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline Magenda

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 09:01:41 »
I tried the shortcuts you mention on TextMate and they work ok. However, I am used to arrows and find it difficult to change it. If only the HHKB default arrows were on an inverted T layout instead of a cross layout I would have no problem adapting to Fn+letters.

Lack of remapping possibilities make me thinking again of Filco Brown or Realforce non-87U keyboards.

I wouldn't ever imagine that I could feel so perplexed about what keyboard I can buy with 200-300$ ! Isn't it weird?
You geekhackers have ruined my life... :)
« Last Edit: Sun, 28 November 2010, 09:03:42 by Magenda »
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Offline lowpoly

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 13:16:38 »
Quote from: theferenc;253306
Though, as the owner of an HHKB, I can tell you that you quickly adjust to the embedded cursor keys.

I never did, still hate the pinky-heavy cursor controls of the original layout. JKLI is so much better.

OP: either use a script or mod it.
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Offline Magenda

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 14:50:58 »
With script you mean tools like Ukelele (Mac user here)?
From what I read it is rather impossible to map something on Control+key. It is only doable for Alt+key but that makes the combination somewhat difficult for the fingers.

.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 15:09:27 »
Thanks for reminding me how lucky I was to get the deal I got =)
Hope they come out with a black tenkeyless that's available in the states at some point...
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Offline keyboardlover

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  • Hey Paul Walker, Click It or Ticket!
    • http://www.keyboardlover.com
Remapping HHKB Pro 2
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 28 November 2010, 15:42:23 »
Majestouch is abroad? Where is he?
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