Macro keyboards are mini programmable USB keyboards that can be pressed to trigger shortcuts, a sequence of keypresses etc. They can have several layers so switching to a different one will trigger different keypresses from the same key, so e.g. different IDEs can be represented.

I’ve just bought one with a view to setting up shortcuts for debugging. Each IDE has its own unique keys for navigating through the code, so I figure it’ll be nice to just press one key to start debugging and one key to step into instead of a combination of ctrl+whatever etc

Do you use one? If so, what do you use it for and what size do you use? Is it too big / too small?

    • hddsx@lemmy.ca
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      13 days ago

      I apparently type y and b with the wrong hands.

      Also, I seem to require keys on the fly that most mini keyboards don’t account for:

      ‘~Esc$&:;()[]{}<>=+*

      The way layers on my keyboard and smaller ones I’ve tried is awkward. I don’t want a permanent layer just to type a few keys. I need something like thumb keys that change layers when you hold them down (non ortho staggered that I have doesn’t have thumb keys )

        • hddsx@lemmy.ca
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          13 days ago

          Tick mark for executing command in bash Home directory End of line And Switch Case End of statement For clarity Arrays Blocks Math Math Assignment Math Pointers

      • MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works
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        13 days ago

        I code with mine on a daily basis with work. Best change i ever made for ergonomics and reducing RSI.

        Thumb clusters so come in clutch like. Whenever I see a birthday Hertford I just think about the massive waste of space the space bar is on them.

        For escape and whatnot I use combos so pressing the two leftmost keys on the top row at the same time press escape. The ones below that, tab, and below that ctrl etc. and i make modifiers like control and shift one shots if I don’t hold them down to help reduce RSI even further and so it’s easy to hit keys that they may be “covering up” as a combo.