Modifier keys

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BruceH2025
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Modifier keys

Post by BruceH2025 »

According to the documentation the modifier keys must be held down and then the desired character pressed. Please can you confirm that there is no option to press the modifier keys in sequence and then the desired key?

This is an absolute deal breaker: I want to place this to the side of my keyboard and operate it with one finger.

If it needs two hands then it will always be awkward for one or the other hand, and I don't have the dexterity to do a controlled three-finger press.
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SummaCogni
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Re: Modifier keys

Post by SummaCogni »

Hi,

I can confirm that you have to keep the modifier keys pressed while pressing the symbol key. I have designed the layout of the Mathpad so this can be done easily with one hand.

I understand your concern if you know that your manual dexterity is not up to the task of pressing three keys simultaneously.

I will look into whether I can add support for single-finger operation to the firmware in the way that you described. I'll keep you posted here!
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SummaCogni
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Re: Modifier keys

Post by SummaCogni »

Good news: Single-finger operation can be implemented!

I will work on getting this implemented. It will either be as a persistent configurable setting that you can activate, or as a separate firmware.
BruceH2025
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Re: Modifier keys

Post by BruceH2025 »

SummaCogni wrote: Mon Aug 04, 2025 10:16 am Good news: Single-finger operation can be implemented!

I will work on getting this implemented. It will either be as a persistent configurable setting that you can activate, or as a separate firmware.
Thank-you very much for this. I'll add myself as a backer now.
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SummaCogni
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Re: Modifier keys

Post by SummaCogni »

The 'sticky' modifier keys option that you have requested is only available as a separate firmware. Until I have a proper way to distribute this special version, could you tell me which keyboard layout you'll be using your Mathpad with? Then I'll compile it for you and post it here.
BruceH2025
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Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 9:46 pm

Re: Modifier keys

Post by BruceH2025 »

Sorry for the delay in replying. I'll be mostly using it with a Mac (US layout) keyboard.

It arrived a couple of days ago and it looks and feels fantastic. I'll be downloading the standard Mac version this weekend when I have a bit of time but a modified version will be great.

To be honest I'd recommend you add sticky keys to the standard keyboard - it will feel like ringing-up a price on an old-fashioned cash register. :-)

One further suggestion: a quick double click on a modifier key could be a "reset" setting the Mathpad back to "unshifted" for when the wrong key is pressed by mistake.
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SummaCogni
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Re: Modifier keys

Post by SummaCogni »

Hi Bruce,

Thank you for the kind words, happy you like it! It's so rewarding to hear from the backers after all this work.

Here's the US ANSI compatible sticky-modifiers firmware:
mathpad_mp1a_us_ansi_sticky_v1.2.0.uf2
(101 KiB) Downloaded 2 times
I like your suggestion of double-tapping for resetting the modifier state, and I will get it worked into the next version! I also want to someone make it possible for the user to switch between normal and sticky modifiers, but I haven't found a reasonable method yet. May have to create some sort of configuration tool.
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