It's the keyboard layout.


Look at that in the broader aspect of whats happening when you put the whole sequence into something.

QWERTY is left biased in english, so balancing things other things to 50/50 also is  a question of looking at the bigger picture.

If you want to make typing faster you need the full layout in half the cases.

Typing is really key to making a good keyboard, granted modifier-placement comes at a good second.

Try something on new users before assuming, it is really different from the world of assumptions.
 
Since English is left-balanced, it is also kinda nice to put ,. over on the right (and for other reasons, including quick hitting space after them).

I've reduced a layout to no more than three prints per key, which I think helps make the layout look a bit less cluttered:

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/4b09aa1d8ac88b44c0f81a6c4a048a27

Again, balance for coding (combinations such as , :Enter, +=, -=, /=, <=, >= are pretty quick and typically use the same modifier), and I've managed to put - on spacebar, since that is a very commonly used key.  Despite having to press two modifiers for some of the symbols, you can button mash using your left thumb Meta and shift.
 
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Oh for a layout that had the control keyboard actually on the keyboard! Rather useful when doing maintenance via SSH on various systems...
 
codifies said:
Oh for a layout that had the control keyboard actually on the keyboard! Rather useful when doing maintenance via SSH on various systems...
Click to expand...
If you mean a Control key, and you don't want to hold Select(which is Left Control) or shoulder R1(which is Right Control), why not map one of the keyboard Left Shifts to it, if you are backed into a corner that is? 
 
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codifies said:
I never found either comfortable...
Click to expand...
Other than my remap suggestion above, how about ordering the center column between the nubs to Start, then Menu, then Select at the bottom, at least on your Pyra?
 
codifies said:
Yeah I can see me buying tipex when I get a pyra....
Click to expand...
Save your rupees. Askarus moved his Z and Y keys: 

cimg5899w.jpg
 
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Saber said:
codifies said:
Oh for a layout that had the control keyboard actually on the keyboard! Rather useful when doing maintenance via SSH on various systems...
Click to expand...
If you mean a Control key, and you don't want to hold Select(which is Left Control) or shoulder R1(which is Right Control), why not map one of the keyboard Left Shifts to it, if you are backed into a corner that is? 
Click to expand...
But there IS one that does this the way the user wants to use his keyboard.  Actual Alt and Control (Ctrl) keys on the keyboard in a usable position where the end user would expect to find them.  No Vulcan death grip to reach the center keys in combination with others required - even without using the shoulder buttons.

There is a proposal that meets this user's needs.

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/b863ac229b0af4b0f46d5e73ca3104b8

Key pairs retained.  Keys present where the user expects them to be - or as near to that as possible.  Fully functional F1-F12 keys.  Language support clearly stated.  AltGr (Right Alt) retains it's capability if a non-US keyboard map is assigned at the OS level.
 
I agree while that layout definitely has potential, it is a bit cluttered at the moment! - but certainly not beyond improvement

Is it fair to say btw that certain diacritics can be assumed and don't actually need a label - for example A and Ä

Is this a reasonable enough assertion that a majority can get behind ? or is this unfair to none English speakers?

Could a consensus be reached as to what "English" characters should provide which diacritics - could a table be compiled to aid layout design?

This idea is either wholly unfair or could be a useful solution to the problem of overcrowded cluttered looking layouts - I really don't write in enough languages to know!
 
Eight Bit said:
Grench said:
There is a proposal that meets this user's needs.

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/b863ac229b0af4b0f46d5e73ca3104b8
Click to expand...
Nice, bit crowded on the labels but a decent lay-out imo. I do ask myself why the ABXY buttons are the other way around compared to the pandora. :)
Click to expand...
You're right.  Fixed.  Thank you for the feedback!

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/fcd69e93d9f1fdd811c8d13cc212f3a6

codifies said:
I agree while that layout definitely has potential, it is a bit cluttered at the moment! - but certainly not beyond improvement

Is it fair to say btw that certain diacritics can be assumed and don't actually need a label - for example A and Ä

Is this a reasonable enough assertion that a majority can get behind ? or is this unfair to none English speakers?

Could a consensus be reached as to what "English" characters should provide which diacritics - could a table be compiled to aid layout design?

This idea is either wholly unfair or could be a useful solution to the problem of overcrowded cluttered looking layouts - I really don't write in enough languages to know!
Click to expand...
In the battle between 'Cluttered' and 'Great Functionality' I tend to err toward the functionality side.

Since we're key-limited and want a contiguous F1-F12 key set, there isn't room to add 'assumed' diacritics to the UIO keys.  The German letters presented are a nod to the German origins of the Pyra.  However, French and other languages use several different diacritics, so that is why there is a dedicated 'Diacritic Key' on this layout.  As a fall-back, there is a compose key, which should allow any language support, but is nowhere near as easy to use.  So, 3 levels of support for non-English use.

The idea is to have English be the easiest, then German, French, Spanish, and whatever else I can get in.

The Pyra is intended as an international device.  What may add 'clutter' to the 'standard US' layout, is intended to enable non-English speakers needed functionality.

Can you put up with 'clutter' on keys you won't use for the sake of making the device usable by German, French, Spanish and other native speakers?  (Please say, 'yes'.)
 
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Do we defiantly want contiguous  f1-f12 quite a large number of "full" keyboards have "only" f1-f10 ...
 
codifies said:
Do we defiantly want contiguous  f1-f12 quite a large number of "full" keyboards have "only" f1-f10 ...
Click to expand...
The only one with F1-F10 that I can think of off hand was the original IBM PC keyboard.  I haven't seen a mass produced keyboard in the last 20 years with less than 12.

What is your example?
 
If you err towards functionality, then why implement the pandora layout? Almost nothing functions that way.

It breaks to the greatest extent what existing conventions there are, in a confusing manner.

Adding Z and C in places they arent in on other controllers, just adds insult to injury.

Ways of dealing with the F-row issue,

  • F1-F10 only is just not a full F-row. Expecting people to not notice F11 and F12 missing wont work
  • F1-10 with F11 and F12 stepped, looks broken, and draws attention to how few buttons there are 1000x more, since its such a ugly compromise.
  • F-1-F12 on QWERTY looks out of place, and was only halfway popular in the vote.
This is a best a visual problem.

Solution: just dont print it, and do the instructions in conky. Functionality is still there for the people that have use for them to learn, and the novices will have less visual clutter to deal with.

Then its down to the individual to change it to their liking, or even freely use meta+area for other things.

F-keys are headed the way of the G-keys. Not printing them and still implementing, solves the issue, and keeps things looking fresh and updated.
 
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http://i.imgur.com/kU3HM.jpg :)

I've so rarely used f11 f12 (ever?) that I never saw anything unusual than the fact they were missing on my keyboard... so I really don't see the issue with them not being contiguous... whats the big deal about f11 and f10 not being next to each other?
 
 
codifies said:
http://i.imgur.com/kU3HM.jpg :)

I've so rarely used f11 f12 (ever?) that I never saw anything unusual than the fact they were missing on my keyboard... so I really don't see the issue with them not being contiguous... whats the big deal about f11 and f10 not being next to each other?
Click to expand...

codifies said:
and theres this http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/646509827/2-4GHz-wireless-Keyboard-Flying-AirMouse-for-google-android-Mini-PC-smart-TV-Remote-controller.jpg

and non contigious http://76.my/Malaysia/bluetooth-mini-qwerty-keyboard-gaming-keyboard-android-tv-pc-mac-anuarict-1210-06-anuarict@2.jpg

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1150604514_1/K08-Rii-2-4GHz-Mini-PC-Wireless-QWERTY-Keyboard-Mouse-Touchpad-Remote-Game-Controller-Free-Shipping.jpghow many keys!!! but no f11-f12

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00NCgTWqnRfycl/Mini-PC-Wireless-Keyboard-FZXK001-.jpg

Given the giant number of keys these keyboards are using puts into perspective that what we are trying to do here isn't as straight forward as you'd at first think...
Click to expand...
Interesting, but niche, examples.  Most users are going to expect them to be present and functioning.

I'm going to put this one in the, 'better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them,' class.
 
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