KeyRemap4MacBook... questions re FILCO and HHKB

[ShivaYash]

Hello

I have a few questions about this excellent bit of free software for the Mac - its not really a program but a very useful System Preference Add on.

What the ideal Mac settings? How do I make a PC keyboard, take the FILCO MJ2 TK to behave like a Mac keyboard? I have set it up but I am confused by the various keys on the bottom row. The Ctrl, Alt and Command... what is the best order and does anyone on here have useful tips for this particular System Pref?

Also, what is the deal with the HHKB? I have downloaded the drivers from the EliteKeyboard website but my settings in KeyRemap4MacBook need changing as the Command and Control buttons (LEFT) aren't working as they should. Perhaps there is a conflict somewhere? The HHKB is in Mac mode... perhaps I should turn that off?

I'm running Mountain Lion 10.8.3 and if this post is not in the correct section of the forum, please can one of the Mods move it. I'm sorry, I thought as it was a keyboard query this was the most appropriate slot.

Best wishes,
SY

[tp4tissue]

Are you a programmer?

[MJ45]

The drivers from Elite Keyboards are not needed. I am using OS 10.8.3 and with the HHKB dip switch 2 on the rest off it works fine. Remove the drivers they cause problems. Also make sure the keyboard is disconnected when changing dip settings. With the Filco you can swap the Win & alt keys in the system preferences in the keyboard section, just make sure you set the right one there is a pull down menu to select which keyboard to change. It can have different settings for multiple keyboards. I use KeyRemap4Macbook to set up the F-keys to mimic the Macs it also works fine and it also lets you set-up multiple boards.

[ShivaYash]

The drivers from Elite Keyboards are not needed. I am using OS 10.8.3 and with the HHKB dip switch 2 on the rest off it works fine. Remove the drivers they cause problems. Also make sure the keyboard is disconnected when changing dip settings. With the Filco you can swap the Win & alt keys in the system preferences in the keyboard section, just make sure you set the right one there is a pull down menu to select which keyboard to change. It can have different settings for multiple keyboards. I use KeyRemap4Macbook to set up the F-keys to mimic the Macs it also works fine and it also lets you set-up multiple boards.

Many thanks, how do I uninstall the HHKB drivers?

[yicaoyimu]

Check my configuration file on Github. It is meant for transition from Linux to Mac, but it should work for converting Mac layout keyboard to PC keyboard too.

https://gist.github.com/yicaoyimu/4949117

[ShivaYash]

Many thanks for this, how do I change the DEVICE?

I am a newbie to all this stuff, so please excuse my moronic questions.

Ideally I'd like someone to do the hard work and 'write a private file' for me to allow me to use my FILCO on my Mac... surely there is someone out there who has done this already?

With best wishes,

[yicaoyimu]

Many thanks for this, how do I change the DEVICE?

I am a newbie to all this stuff, so please excuse my moronic questions.

Ideally I'd like someone to do the hard work and 'write a private file' for me to allow me to use my FILCO on my Mac... surely there is someone out there who has done this already?

With best wishes,

You are so welcome. The whole purpose of sharing my configuration file is to help someone like you, who actually needs it.

Here's how:




Hope you can figure it out from here. Ask me if you have any question. I actually wrote a long post about how to use this nice piece of software, but that is in Chinese >.<

Note that, all that my configuration file does is, to remap the most frequently used keyboard shortcuts to PC conventional way. For example, remap command+c to control+c. My configuration file only takes care the most frequently used ones based on my usage. You probably need to further modify the file to fit your using habbit.

[yicaoyimu]

Many thanks for this, how do I change the DEVICE?

I am a newbie to all this stuff, so please excuse my moronic questions.

Ideally I'd like someone to do the hard work and 'write a private file' for me to allow me to use my FILCO on my Mac... surely there is someone out there who has done this already?

With best wishes,

That is exactly what my config file does. I used to be a Linux programmer and I am so used to PC key bindings. After I switch to Mac, it takes me a while to figure out how to change the key bindings on Mac so that I can use keyboard as I normarlly would on PC, and that is what this config file is for. As much as I would like to do the hard work for you, I don't have a Filco board and I don't know the vendor id and device id, which is needed for the configuration file. So... But changing DEVICE is not hard at all, you can definitely figure it out.

[Aranair]

Mmm, for them to be "compatible", I don't think the private.xml file is really needed. (it does the job too in the end too I guess)

You can even skip keyremap entirely and just go into (mac)Keyboards settings -> modifier keys -> then choose usb keyboard -> swap command and option and it should be done already. I believe that makes the left alt key command, and left win key option. (same on the right side)

Am I missing something?

[yicaoyimu]

Mmm, for them to be "compatible", I don't think the private.xml file is really needed. (it does the job too in the end too I guess)

You can even skip keyremap entirely and just go into (mac)Keyboards settings -> modifier keys -> then choose usb keyboard -> swap command and option and it should be done already. I believe that makes the left alt key command, and left win key option. (same on the right side)

Am I missing something?

There are something more to the position of command and option keys. In default Mac setting, open a new tab in web browser is Command+t, and switching tab is Control+tab, while on PC you don't need to switch back and forth between Command(alt on PC) and Control keys.

[Aranair]

Odd, I think I am using command+tab to switch in mac. (I only need to switch option/command for that to work)

[ctbear]

I don't have a HHKB, but BetterTouchTool works perfect for my Oni and Filco, and it's very easy to use too.

[baller1308]

If you are going to just change the modifier keys on the bottom row you should be able to do that within OS X's keyboard preference.  There should be a modifier option.  That way you can just change the modifiers to behave the same as an Apple keyboard.

[ShivaYash]

Thanks, can I have different private.xml files for each keyboard? I have two (or three) keyboards I like to swap between, or does the one private.xml file have to contain all the settings?

Why does this little HHKB allow me to change screen brightness via F keys, even though its selected in the remap program?

Thanks,

[yicaoyimu]

Thanks, can I have different private.xml files for each keyboard? I have two (or three) keyboards I like to swap between, or does the one private.xml file have to contain all the settings?

Why does this little HHKB allow me to change screen brightness via F keys, even though its selected in the remap program?

Thanks,

You can have one config file and have different settings for different keyboard. You can do that by specifying PRODUCTID in config file. Look at my config file. Swithcing win and alt keys only work on Realforce 87 keyboard, not on internal laptop keyboard.

HHKB is Mac compatible. That may have something to do with this. But I am not sure.

[ShivaYash]

Thanks, can I have different private.xml files for each keyboard? I have two (or three) keyboards I like to swap between, or does the one private.xml file have to contain all the settings?

Why does this little HHKB allow me to change screen brightness via F keys, even though its selected in the remap program?

Thanks,

You can have one config file and have different settings for different keyboard. You can do that by specifying PRODUCTID in config file. Look at my config file. Swithcing win and alt keys only work on Realforce 87 keyboard, not on internal laptop keyboard.

HHKB is Mac compatible. That may have something to do with this. But I am not sure.

Thanks, I've having trouble with my private config file, its pretty annoying. I'd like one file to reflect the three boards I use, the FILCO, the Poker II and the HHKB.

I'll take another look tomorrow, perhaps I should just get rid of the other boards and focus on one!

[yicaoyimu]

Thanks, can I have different private.xml files for each keyboard? I have two (or three) keyboards I like to swap between, or does the one private.xml file have to contain all the settings?

Why does this little HHKB allow me to change screen brightness via F keys, even though its selected in the remap program?

Thanks,

You can have one config file and have different settings for different keyboard. You can do that by specifying PRODUCTID in config file. Look at my config file. Swithcing win and alt keys only work on Realforce 87 keyboard, not on internal laptop keyboard.

HHKB is Mac compatible. That may have something to do with this. But I am not sure.

Thanks, I've having trouble with my private config file, its pretty annoying. I'd like one file to reflect the three boards I use, the FILCO, the Poker II and the HHKB.

I'll take another look tomorrow, perhaps I should just get rid of the other boards and focus on one!

Adding the same config for all keyboards is easy. Say you have this configuration for switching command+T/W/O/P/L/F and control+T/W/O/P/L/F for Realforce board.

<item>
<name>[RF87] Ctrl-TWOPLF switch</name>
<identifier>private.deviceproductdef2</identifier>
<device_only>DeviceVendor::TOPRE_CORPORATION, DeviceProduct::REALFORCE_87</device_only>
 
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
 
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
</item>

This is what you need to do to add this configuration to Poker II and HHKB:

<item>
<name>[RF87/HHKB/Poker2] Ctrl-TWOPLF switch</name>
<identifier>private.deviceproductdef2</identifier>
<device_only>DeviceVendor::TOPRE_CORPORATION, DeviceProduct::REALFORCE_87</device_only>
<device_only>DeviceVendor::KBC, DeviceProduct::POKER_2</device_only>
<device_only>DeviceVendor::SOMETHING_ELSE, DeviceProduct::HHKB</device_only>
 
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen>
 
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::T, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::W, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::O, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode:, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::L, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
<autogen> __KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L, KeyCode::F, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L</autogen>
</item>


DeviceVendor (TOPRE_CORPORATION, KBC and SOMETHING_ELSE) and DeviceProduct (REALFORCE_87, HHKB, POKER_2) have to be defined at the beggining of your private.xml file. Refer to my private.xml file:

<devicevendordef>
<vendorname>TOPRE_CORPORATION</vendorname>
<vendorid>0x0853</vendorid>
</devicevendordef>
 
<deviceproductdef>
<productname>REALFORCE_87</productname>
<productid>0x0111</productid>
</deviceproductdef>

You just fill in the necessary information between <vendorname> tag, <productname> tag, <vendorid> tag and <productid> tag. You can have whatever name for the <vendorname> and <productname>. But they have to be consistent with the <device_only> part. I have already told you how to find the <vendorid> and <productid>. Refer to the earlier post with screenshot.