Poker II layout question

[goflo]

Hi folks,

I got a question regarding the poker II layout. I got an poker II in standard qwerty layout, US Version.
As I'm german I'm using the qwertz layout with that board. Isn't really a problem, just switching the OS layout to german and the keys get their usual position......all keys?  No. 

If you take a look at the attached pic, there is normally a cap at that position on a german keyboard (where the extra black cap is around) ....with those brackets and the pipe. As I'm a heavy Linux console user I REALLY need the pipe key.

But how can I get it programmed onto another key? To reprogram it to another position I would have to press it, right?
Can anyone give me a hint how to solve this? Or isn't that possible?

Flo

[goflo]

Hmm, an idea comes to my mind....
Does anyone know if the PCBs for ISO and US version are the same?
If they are, there should be a mount point for another switch there, right?
Maybe it would get recognized by the firmware... I got a smaller shift and the needed keycap for the pipe.

[Oobly]

In Windows I use Alt-Shift to switch quickly between layouts, so I can get access to all the characters, but I don't know if there's an equivalent shortcut in Linux to switch layouts.

You could move the shift switch and add a switch there, but you'd have to modify the plate to do it. AFAIK the PCB does support both layouts and will send the correct scancode for that key.

Another option is to remove the board from the case, plug it in and program the Pn layer how you want your main layer to be like (most keys would be normal, but you can replace one of the keys you choose with the <>| key) and use a piece of wire to "press" the contacts of that switch position together when programming it into your new layout. Then put it together again. You can easily switch between the normal main layer and your programmed one with Fn+Right Shift.

[goflo]

Thanks Oobly, the version to quickly wire the tap of the button to use it for programming is great. 
I just thought of soldering the switch, but I don't like the idea of modifying to plate.

[frosty]

Or wait for the poker 3 !