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authorErez Zukerman <bulk@ezuk.org>2016-05-29 13:53:29 -0400
committerErez Zukerman <bulk@ezuk.org>2016-05-29 13:53:29 -0400
commit8ee9be11dee3db265cd8a0cc22a8fe40f6067820 (patch)
tree097417e3adee23a96beee94a3edf6d3c4d10a342 /keyboard/ergodox_ez/keymaps/algernon/README.md
parent478a18d23797e3c6bd9d55732a963fc65db647d9 (diff)
parent9ff10ab1db63560564c198f68e446bcd3d8d7260 (diff)
Merge pull request #353 from algernon/ergodox-ez/algernon
My layout for the ErgoDox EZ
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+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** is a toggle.
+* 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 w m` maximises the currently focused window.
+
+## 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.
+
+# 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.