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control
565
Jul 7, 2017
So, I was thinking, as a Swedish ISO user, how would it be possible for me to incorporate that awesome looking octopus-enter key? Sometimes the coolest novelty keys are ANSI only.
Challenge accepted! :D
I've been working on a Nordic ANSI hybrid in KLE for a 60% layout, using the available kits with GMK Nautilus, and came up with two alternatives. These were optimized to relocate as few legends as possible to invisible AltGr combinations.
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Green indicates changes to regular Nordic ISO layout. Invisible keys to the right indicate additional invisible symbols accessible with AltGr (~ with + = and ´ `with ' ").
The upper version keeps the 6.25u spacebar and moves backspace down a row, but lacks Esc key. Kits used: Base + Norde (6 keys) + Dvorak Colemak (3 keys). Optional: Novelty ANSI octopus-enter.
The lower version is for use with split spacebar, moves backspace to the extra spacebar key, keeps the ANSI \ | key and has an Esc key. Kits used: Base + Norde (6 keys) + Dvorak Colemak (3 keys) + Spacebars (2 keys). Optional: Novelty ANSI octopus-enter.
Disclaimer: I'm a beginner at this and might've overlooked a great many things. Comments, corrections and suggestions are much welcome!
killyou
203
Jul 7, 2017
controlSorry for an off topic post but why people even bother using ISO layout? My country (Poland) also has a lot of special characters in the alphabet and while our own ISO format exists but it never really catched on and everyone just naturally went with ANSI keyboards. Special characters are available by pressing right ALT and the only thing you need is ANSI keyboard and proper language selected in the operating system to get access to the special characters.
Valium
73
Jul 7, 2017
killyouBetter enter while sacrificing \ key, which is hardly used and another key near WASD to bind in games or something. Just a bit better layout with no downsides.
Kazuki-chan
1
Jul 10, 2017
ValiumAs a programmer, I use the \ key quite often. Also, anyone who uses the windows command line will probably be forced to use it as well. It really depends on the purpose of the keyboard.
Valium
73
Jul 10, 2017
Kazuki-chanI know, but that's a niche case. Usual casual, typing on facebook, playing games, uses it rarely.
mhorgan
28
Jul 10, 2017
ValiumBetter enter is subjective, the ANSI enter is easier to hit without moving your hand too far off homerow. Having the enter go up to where \ is also doesn't seem like a benefit to me, but I could be missing something. You also end up with a shorter left shift that's harder to hit without stretching your pinky.
Getting rid of a key because it's an 'edge case' doesn't really work as an argument, no ones gonna want to try to find a board with a \ when/if they start programming or messing about in the terminal. The same could be argued about the brackets or the tab key but they really shouldn't go anywhere either.
If you wanted more keys for gaming, JIS would be the layout to go for.
Valium
73
Jul 10, 2017
mhorganYou claim that bigger shift is superior, yet bigger enter isn't? It's easier to press when I move my hand to it, I do not like to not move hands. At least Im thankful for programmability, so I can get rid of keys like Caps Lock (entirely useless) and can bind \ to Enter too. But default layout is ugly and keyboards really needs a refresh. For example our thumbs, a very versatile finger, can only hit a space, which is the biggest waste of space (pun not intended) ever.
climbalima
269
Jul 10, 2017
Valiumon all my custom layouts i have moved enter and backspace to either side of a 2u spacebar and it is fantastic.
mhorgan
28
Jul 10, 2017
ValiumThe larger left shift and the wider ANSI shift are better for the same reason, they push them closer to your hands when they're on the home row. I agree caps lock is pretty useless and at least shouldn't be in such a useful location.
A keyboard redesign is unlikely to catch on for the same reason Dvorak and Colemak haven't, standard QWERTY is good enough and people are used to it.
lossendae
31
Jul 10, 2017
killyouBecoming used to a layout depends on what the industry pushes. If other country in europe had proposed ANSI along side ISO, maybe the latter would not have worked. But most of the time, local ISO is the only choice and people just don't know what ISO and ANSI are.
For example in France, people only know that "our keyboard" are AZERTY and most of other countries uses variations of QWERTY. And I'm generous, because to be honest, most people don't know anything about keyboards, if they encounter a QWERTY, they just think that it is weird. And they type with 2 fingers...
killyou
203
Jul 10, 2017
lossendaeYeah I guess that's true :) I'm glad that ANSI QWERTY was the one that catched up in my country.
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