I use a Linux distro with kde, so I have a lot of customization available. I like trying other distros in VMs, but stuff like windows (no need to copy really kde is similar by default) and Mac is a pain in the ass to use that way. so, I want to know what your os does that you think I should copy using kde’s customization. I’m looking for Mac in particular (bc I haven’t used it before) but any OS or desktop environment is fair game.
Caps Lock recapped to compose. Much more useful, especially for those of us who sometimes need to type “other” letters, but prefer US dvorak keyboard layout.
Yes, love the compose key. My native language (Dutch) uses accents occasionally, but typing on a regular Dutch layout with dead keys is awful, especially as a software dev who uses loose quotes a lot.
It’s also great for symbols. No more ddg’ing “euro symbol” and copying from Wikipedia, just type compose, e, =.
Does dutch have ß as well?
Also, noggie keyboard is alright for normal typing, but once you get into more geeky computery, some characters are awfully placed. ’ " / { > just to name a few. That’s why I started using US layout to begin with, and I later migrated to YS Dvorak because I’m that guy (PS: You should totally switch to Dvorak, bro)
No thankfully Dutch doesn’t have any additional letters, just accents.
I have been wanting to try different keyboard layouts for a while. The issue is that my employer probably wouldn’t be super happy with like 50% output for some days or weeks.
While I agree with the general premise that Caps Lock is in a terrible place – that’s prime real estate and people just don’t use it that much, I swap Caps Lock and Control and have Menu remapped to Compose. If you’re typing English, you’re gonna use Control a lot more than Compose.
what’s the compose key? never heard of it but any excuse to not waste a key on caps lock sounds great.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compose_key
Works in X11 and Wayland.
Not as powerful as Emacs’s input methods, but it covers a lot of common cases.
Basically, hitting compose causes the next two keystrokes to “combine”. For example, / + o = ø, as well as the other letters that are useful to us with extra letters in the alphabet. In addition to that it provides a myriad of other characters such as copyright, trademark, just to name a few.
I don’t really need the compose key, but rebinding caps does sound tempting. But what to bind it to… Hmm
I have it activate a layer when held where all the other keys are remapped.
I also use a 45% keyboard (https://wilba.tech/jd45) and its done in the keyboard’s firmware (https://qmk.fm/), so I need the extra keys.
I have an older model of the JD45 with a full bottom row.
I’ve been meaning to get my hands on a QMK board, but didn’t get around to it yet. Having an extra layer with macros or something sounds super powerful. I wonder whether I’m able to replicate a similar behavior without touching the board’s firmware. But I guess with enough registered keybinds it should work lol
I bound it to normal shift, because I fat-finger caps instead of shift all the time anyway lol
