HHKB homerow cursor keys imitation, with autohotkey

[urlwolf]

This is not rocket science, but just in case it's useful for anyone else...

You can have an HHKB homerow cursor keys imitation, with autohotkey; I'm using the right shift key as the fn key (I don't use it much; you can map right windows, or any other) and vim movement keys.

Just save this in a text file, with ahk extension, and double-click on it to execute:

; happy hacking imitation, vim style hjkl
~RShift & h::Send {left}
~RShift & l::Send {right}
~RShift & k::Send {up}
~RShift & j::Send {down}

PS: I don't have a HHKB, I'm just guessing how cursor keys work on it...

[ironcoder]

Now if we could only get those lavender arrow keys in the proper Vi locations!

[itlnstln]

There is also this.

[AndrewZorn]

PS: I don't have a HHKB, I'm just guessing how cursor keys work on it...

I wish, but instead it uses [ o ' / (up left right down).

[urlwolf]

btw, I'm just guessing but it seems that combo keypresses (e.g., ctrl + something) make me press the keys harder. If this is true, then the less combo keypresses I do, the better. Moving makes for a lot of keystrokes.

I think one advantage that vim people claim over emacs people is that it's more ergonomic to do one single keypress than the chords emacs needs.

Do people with HHKB get more tired moving the cursor around? How about 'select' operations (e.g., shift plus arrows)?

[o2dazone]

Now if we could only get those lavender arrow keys in the proper Vi locations!

I kind of laughed at work when I was turned onto Vi. There's all these shortcuts (jkh and l) for navigating through the file. Looks as though people like keeping their hands in one place

[ironcoder]

If you think that's funny you ought to try the Emacs operating system. I'll never understand why Unicomp thinks swapping caps lock and ctrl keys is a "Linux" keyboard layout. If you don't have the control keys where they used to be on VT100s you'll cripple yourself after using Emacs for 5 minutes.

Yeah, actually Vi is about reducing hand movement. It's pretty ingenious. I prefer Emacs most of the time but Vi does have its benefits (it boots a lot quicker!)

Btw those photos linked under your sig are outstanding, the 2nd one looks like it would be tremendous wallpaper. Great work.

[Shawn Stanford]

Hmm... I might give this a try with the WASD keys.

[AndrewZorn]

i think ESDF would be even better.
WASD feel without moving hands.