Xah Keyboard Blog Archive 2017-09

2017-09-30

Linux vs Mac vs Windows, Which is Best for Keybinding?

2017-09-29

macOS: Create Custom Keyboard Layout (major update)

2017-09-28

Havit RGB Mouse review

2017-09-28

Mouse's 4th and 5th Buttons on MacOS

On macOS, mouse's 4th and 5th buttons by default work as middle click. Interesting. and nice. Middle click to open link in new tab.

though, it'd be better is one of them is Back button by default.

you can set them to do whatever. Use USB Overdrive, see Mac Keyboard Software Guide

2017-09-27

turtle mouse

Zalman Turtle Mouse

2017-09-26

Xah Keyboards 2017-09 lots new photos

2017-09-26

problem with extensive customization

one problem with extensive customization is that, if you have a machine, OS, or keyboard, and if you haven't used it for a while, you forgot how to operate it. All standard keys and shortcuts are not there, because you removed them for utter efficiency of using the key spots.

the customization may be one or more of the following:

keyboard firmware key remap. (especially if you don't have proper key labels)
OS level key remap.
If you removed default standard OS keys, on Mac or Windows or particular linux desktop.
Linux window manager (lxde, xfce, tiling windows manager, or other)
emacs.

also, for each OS, there are diverse mechanism to remap keys. For example, Standard OS mechanisms, using standard keyboard layouts, or using various third-party software tools. (e.g. on linux, there's xmodmap, xkb, and different window manager has different ways. Similarly, diverse on macOS or Microsoft Windows.)

what are the situations you would forgot keys? It just happens. Because different keyboard e.g. Kinesis Advantage2 Keyboard, Truly Ergonomic Keyboard, and different computers (work, home, laptops), it's common for one of the keyboard or machine you may not have touched for a month or two.

So, one thing i learned is that, when you customize extensively, try not to remove the standard keys that comes with the OS.

as for keyboard, if you can relabel them, that's best. Else, keep a picture of your remapping.