Key, in sight – A guide, of sorts, to keyboard customization

Summary

Key, in sight A guide, of sorts, to keyboard customization I like keyboards because they’re the most effective human-computer interface connection, but I also like keyboards because they are fun. It’s fun to slam big keys without thinking, and it’s fun to experience the mastery of precise combinations of meticulous keyboard shortcuts. It’s great to see things on the screen that react to what you’ve done, especially if those are things that really understand how you work. And it’s magical to watch your fingers do things seemingly on their own while you’re preoccupied with deeper things, just because you set up something that allowed motor memory to blossom. This is not only about efficiency. Sometimes it’s more about a connection with the tool, a feeling of customization or control, or simple appreciation of a well-made interaction – all these beautiful low-level moments that give their energy to the whole process. These four apps do very different things How do you get there, though? Sure, you can get a nice keyboard, and adopt shortcuts provided by the operating system and the apps you use. After that, however, the road gets pretty steep. Getting a “fancier” keyboard means endless options coated with infinite jargon. On the software front, so many apps come with similar names, confusing interfaces, and frightening dialog boxes asking you for all the permissions in the universe. So, I wanted to write a little guide, all the way from hardware to software, about how I approached and warmed up to some of the keyboard mastery myself. Maybe it will work for you, too? My goals for this essay are: Actually do some useful things with modern keyboards and keypads. Find some fun and enjoyment in it all. Be a calm guide through a typically stormy port. If you were always curious but intimidated, or if you have a keypad or a bunch of extra keys on your keyboard, but don’t know what to do with them… read on. Two caveats before we start: This will generally not cover command pale...