PINE64
PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - Printable Version

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PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - feklee - 10-03-2021

Since about ten years, I run TouchCursor on my PC. It turns Space into a modifier:
  • Space down, i down: equivalent to ↑
  • Space down, j down: equivalent to ←
  • Space down, u down: equivalent to Home
  • Space down, y down: equivalent to PgUp
  • Space down, Space up: regular space
  • …
The big advantage is that my hands don’t need to change position. I don’t use the cursor keys any more. Furthermore, with Space as modifier, I can just press it with the thumb on my right hand. Then I have my left hand to press all the other modifiers: Ctrl, Alt, Shift

Will I be able to configure the PinePhone keyboard to behave in the same way?

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - lot378 - 10-03-2021

I think yes because any two keys can be used in combination judging from what the developer behind the firmware noted.

See: https://xnux.eu/log/#043

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - feklee - 10-04-2021

(10-03-2021, 05:36 AM)lot378 Wrote: I think yes because any two keys can be used in combination judging from what the developer behind the firmware noted.

See: https://xnux.eu/log/#043

Thanks! That's indeed crucial, if I want to enable TouchCursor functionality under X or Wayland. I hope this is possible, but it should. On my PC I use Windows with Linux in a VM, and TouchCursor runs on Windows.

I wonder: Will users be able to modify the firmware? Then I could hard code those key combinations.

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - wibble - 10-05-2021

(10-04-2021, 09:01 AM)feklee Wrote:
(10-03-2021, 05:36 AM)lot378 Wrote: I think yes because any two keys can be used in combination judging from what the developer behind the firmware noted.

See: https://xnux.eu/log/#043

Thanks! That's indeed crucial, if I want to enable TouchCursor functionality under X or Wayland. I hope this is possible, but it should. On my PC I use Windows with Linux in a VM, and TouchCursor runs on Windows.

I wonder: Will users be able to modify the firmware? Then I could hard code those key combinations.

It certainly looks like that's the intention. See https://xnux.eu/log/#044 for the later report, including links to the firmware source. Towards the end of the first set of bullet points there's discussion of the approach to flashing via i2c so users don't need to solder a USB connection, and the split between stock and user firmware.

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - feklee - 10-05-2021

(10-05-2021, 03:57 AM)wibble Wrote: It certainly looks like that's the intention. See https://xnux.eu/log/#044 for the later report, including links to the firmware source. Towards the end of the first set of bullet points there's discussion of the approach to flashing via i2c so users don't need to solder a USB connection, and the split between stock and user firmware.

Very cool, and thanks for the link!

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - gilwood - 01-03-2022

I am currently running Mobian. I have found that by hitting the globe key and choosing terminal the left/right up/down keys will appear at the top of the keyboard along with ctrl and alt. So now you can move the cursor all around in your document. Hope this helps.

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - feklee - 01-04-2022

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I think you are referring to an on-screen keyboard, while we're discussing the hardware keyboard here.

RE: PinePhone Keyboard: Space as modifier - gilwood - 01-04-2022

(01-04-2022, 03:52 AM)feklee Wrote: Thanks for the suggestion. However, I think you are referring to an on-screen keyboard, while we're discussing the hardware keyboard here.

Sorry for the confusion. I have been using an external bluetooth keyboard from Amazon that has a touchpad with left/right mouse buttons. Makes navigation on the pinephone much easier.