Re: [9fans] The utility of a chording pad

[erik quanstrom <quanstro@quanstro.net>]

> If I recall correctly Rob Pike's comments in this forum a long time
> ago apropos the issue of customisation, I would suggest that such a
> chording pad would be more frustrating than useful.  It goes almost
> without saying that the generality of such a device lends itself to
> insane re-configuration by each user, with dramatic, if potentially
> humorous results.

i think it's hard to say without doing an experiment.  there is no
reason one needs to use all the combinations.  so it would be
interesting to add a forth button.  perhaps one could disambiguate
between Look and Open.  (how many times have you had to play
tricks because there is a symbol wumpus and file wumpus?)

> Consider that there are twelve function keys on the conventional
> keyboard and Plan 9 uses none of them.  Nevermind the new keyboards
> with the full Jumbo Jet console on them.

that's because they're not standard.  you can use them if you map them
with /dev/kbmap.

cpu% cat fkeys
0	59	'☺
0	60	'☹

☺ erik