[EDIT]
For those not wanted to read the whole thread: Here is the code for the completed modifications in Linux and Windows (Note: you will need xcape for Linux or AutoHotKey for Windows).
(Credit to Eszett for enhancing my original tweak!)
Keyboard features:
Left Control (pressed alone) = Escape
Left Shift (pressed alone) = Delete
Right Shift (pressed alone) = BackspaceLinux using xcape:
killall xcape; xcape -e 'Control_L=Escape'; xcape -e 'Shift_L=Delete'; xcape -e 'Shift_R=BackSpace'Windows using AHK:
LControl::
Send {LControl Down}
KeyWait, LControl
Send {LControl Up}
if ( A_PriorKey = "LControl" )
{
Send {Escape}
}
return
LShift::
Send {LShift Down}
KeyWait, LShift
Send {LShift Up}
if ( A_PriorKey = "LShift" )
{
Send {Delete}
}
Return
RShift::
Send {RShift Down}
KeyWait, RShift
Send {RShift Up}
if ( A_PriorKey = "RShift" )
{
Send {Backspace}
}
Return[/EDIT]
Original Post below:
Hope this is the right forum to post this in....
Here is an awesome utility to make your Left Control Key (specifically this was tested on a HHKB Pro 2) act as a Backspace character when pressed alone yet retain all other functionality the Control key needs (i.e. CTRL-C, CTRL-V, CTRL-X, etc.). The command to run in Linux is this:
xcape -e 'Control_L=BackSpace'
In order to get xcape, you need to build it by following the instructions and getting the software from here:
https://github.com/alols/xcapeThis can also be done in Windows using AutoHotKey with the following script:
LControl::
Send {LControl Down}
KeyWait, LControl
Send {LControl Up}
if ( A_PriorKey = "LControl" )
{
Send {Backspace}
}
return
If you don't already have your CapsLock key mapped to Control (which probably you need to do first and foremost!), you will have to first do this (again, using either AutoHotKey for Windows, or xmodmap for Linux).
I can't tell you just how awesome it is to be able to use your left pinky to backspace text while typing instead of reaching over with your right pinky.... Even on the HHKB with its favorable placement of the Backspace key, your pinky has to stretch a considerable distance to reach the backspace. Having the option to use the LControl key is a huge pinky saver!.
There are probably a lot of other keymaps that can be done to improve your keyboard layout without sacrificing traditional QWERTY. If anybody has any other ideas, suggestions, or "wish-lists", let me know and I'll probably be able to point you in the right direction, as this kind of thing is right in my wheelhouse ( I do a lot of system administration - so hacks like this are some of my favorite tricks to do).
Hope this helps someone!
