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diff --git a/keyboard/ergodox_ez/keymaps/algernon/readme.md b/keyboard/ergodox_ez/keymaps/algernon/readme.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..c9c481add --- /dev/null +++ b/keyboard/ergodox_ez/keymaps/algernon/readme.md @@ -0,0 +1,158 @@ +algernon's layout +======================= + +This is an unconventional layout for the ErgoDox EZ. For more details about the +history of the layout, see my +[blog posts about my ErgoDox journey][blog-ergodox]. + + [blog-ergodox]: https://asylum.madhouse-project.org/blog/tags/ergodox/ + +Some of the things in the layout only work when one uses Spacemacs and GNOME +under Linux. Your mileage may vary. + +## Base layer + +[![Base layer](images/base-layer.png)](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/28f7eb305fdbff943613e1dc7aa9e82b) + +At its core, this is a Dvorak layout, with some minor changes (for example, `-` +being on the left half, and on the innermost key of the bottom row on the +right). The more interesting parts are how certain keys behave: + +* The keys on the number row double as function keys, when held for a bit longer + than an usual tap. This allows me to use the function keys without having to + switch layers. +* The `Shift`, `Alt`, and `Control` modifiers are one-shot. When tapped, they + are considered active for the next key press only. When double tapped, they + toggle on, until a third, single tap sometime later. When held, they act as + expected. My usual pattern is that I use these for the next keypress only, so + this behaviour is perfect. If I need them held, I'll just double-tap. +* The `GUI` key is special, because when I double-tap it, it sends `GUI + w`, + which pops up an application selector. It also switches to a one-shot layer, + where the number row on the left half turns into app selector macros, for the + most common things I usually want to switch to. Otherwise it behaves as on a + normal layout. +* The `ESC` key also doubles as a one-shot cancel key: if tapped while any of + the one-shot modifiers are in-flight (as in, single-tapped, and not expired + yet), it cancels all one-shot modifiers. Otherwise it sends the usual keycode. +* The **Emacs** and **Hun** layer keys are one-shot, the **1Hand** and **STENO** + keys are toggles. +* The **Lead** key allows me to type in a sequence of keys, and trigger some + actions: + - `LEAD u` enters unicode input mode, by sending the GTK+ key sequence that + does this. + - `LEAD l` uses the unicode input method to enter a `λ`. + - `LEAD s` does a lot of magic to type in a shruggie: `¯\_(ツ)_/¯` + - `LEAD y` types `\o/`. + - `LEAD w m` maximises the currently focused window. + - `LEAD e` makes the [experimental layer](#experimental-layer) the default. + - `LEAD v` prints the firmware version, the keyboard and the keymap, if + compiled with a QMK version that has these available. + +## Hungarian layer + +[![Hungarian layer](images/hun-layer.png)](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/b160f6ec90d58c127c114c89f66e9dc9) + +On this layer, the accented characters are at the same position as their base +variant. For some, which can have other diatribes, the long one is on top, +short's on bottom. Tapping any of the accented characters takes us back to the +base layer. + +## Emacs layer + +[![Emacs layer](images/emacs-layer.png)](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/c59c453f9fe1a3238ba1494e7e5c6892) + +This layer is primarily for navigating text - and for some mousing and other +things, because there was space. Most of the keys should be pretty +self-explanatory, except for a few: + +* There are three keys on the bottom row of the left side, that change how some + of the other keys - explained just below - work. The keys are for *Emacs + mode* (the default), *Terminal mode*, and *Traditional mode*, respectively. +* The *Visual mode* key (the top big key on the left side) sends the `v` key in + *Emacs mode*, to enter Visual mode in Spacemacs. In all other modes, it is a + no-op. +* The *Copy/Cut* key (the bottom big key on the left side) sends the copy + command on tap, the cut one when held for longer than a normal tap. The **copy + command** is `y` in *Emacs mode*, `Ctrl-Shift-c` in *Terminal mode*, and + `Ctrl-c` in *Traditional mode*. The **cut command** is `x` in *Emacs mode*, + `Ctrl-Shift-x` in *Terminal Mode* and `Ctrl-x` in *Traditional mode*. +* The *Paste/Delete* key (the leftmost key on the left thumb cluster) sends the + paste command on tap, the delete one when held longer than a normal tap. The + **paste command** is `p` in *Emacs mode*, `Ctrl-Shift-v` in *Terminal mode*, + and `Ctrl-v` in *Traditional mode*. The **delete command** is `d` in *Emacs + mode*, and `DEL` in the other two. +* The `A`, `I` and `R` keys will - after sending themselves - clear the layer + back to the base layer. This allows a quick escape from the layer. + +## One-handed layer + +[![One-handed layer](images/one-handed-layer.png)](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/edff2495135955b8963198dace7f7ece) + +The one-handed layer is used in situations where the right hand is occupied, by +mousing around, for example. Tapping the `OTHER` key switches which side is +active. For the most part, keys remain in their usual position. When the right +half is active, keys are mirrored to the left half. + +The differences are as follows: + +* The `ESC` key has been moved to the bottom row, so the `OTHER` key is easier + to tap. +* Most keys on the thumb cluster now have dual uses, and these do not change + when switching sides: + - The `Space`/`Backspace` key sends `Space` on tap, `Backspace` when held + for longer than a normal tap. + - The `Enter`/`Shift` key sends `Enter` on short-tap, `Shift` on long-tap. +* The `Apps`/`BASE` key can be used to go back to the base layer, by + long-tapping it. A short-tap will send the `App` key, as usual. + +## Steno layer + +[![Steno layer for Plover](images/steno-layer.png)](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/401ef9a84369e47c57f9aedcf0a0d667) + +This is to be used with [Plover](http://www.openstenoproject.org/plover/), +nothing really fancy here. The **STENO** key toggles the layer on and off, and +sends the toggle command to Plover too. + +## Experimental layer + +[![Experimental layer](images/experimental-layer.png)](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/6ff50bf71248e05aab5b3fec4fae3d08) + +While using the standard Dvorak layout, I encountered a number of +inconveniences, and on this layer, I am playing with ideas to make the layout +feel better. Initially, it was based on [Capewell-Dvorak][cpd], but that too, +had shortcomings I was not happy with. So now this is something inbetween, with +own observations thrown in. How it works out in the long run remains to be seen. + + [cpd]: http://www.michaelcapewell.com/projects/keyboard/layout_capewell-dvorak.htm + +# Building + +To make my workflow easier, this layout is maintained in +[its own repository][algernon:ez-layout]. To build it, you will need the +[QMK][qmk] firmware checked out, and this repo either checked out, or symlinked +to `keyboard/ergodox_ez/algernon`. One way to achieve that is this: + + [algernon:ez-layout]: https://github.com/algernon/ergodox-layout + [qmk]: https://github.com/jackhumbert/qmk_firmware + +``` +$ git clone https://github.com/jackhumbert/qmk_firmware.git +$ cd qmk_firmware/keyboard/ergodox_ez +$ git clone https://github.com/algernon/ergodox-layout.git keymaps/algernon +$ make KEYMAP=algernon +``` + +From time to time, updates may be submitted back to the QMK repository. If you +are reading it there, you can build the firmware like any other firmware +included with it (assuming you are in the root directory of the firmware): + +``` +$ cd keyboard/ergodox_ez +$ make KEYMAP=algernon +``` + +# License + +The layout, being a derivative of the original TMK firmware which is under the +GPL-2+, this layout is under the GPL as well, but GPL-3+, rather than the older +version. |