modifier key swap/multi modifier keystrokes

[resonance]

Hello. This is the first public message typed with my touchstream LP. I've had it for less than a day and really love it.

I seem to have the shift and command chords pretty well, but I'm wondering if there is a chord for the option key on the mac. Also, is there any way to swap the hand/alt keys on the touchstream? For key combinations which don't already have chords (of which there are many in graphic design apps!), years and years of having the option key to the left of the command key on the left side of the keyboard (and vice versa on the right side) makes performing key combinations the regular way ridiculously difficult on the touchstream. It would be nice if you silkscreened/printed an "option" label on the alt key, even if it was small, to make mac users feel more at home.

That's all for now. I did think of one way to describe typing on the touchstream...for piano players it's like playing all keys "staccato".

Thanks for a great product. I can already see that once I get used to the touchstream, using anything else -- especially a regular keyboard--is going to be a major letdown!

[fingerworks]

Yes, if you enable Enhanced Modifier Chords in the Feature Selector, the Option (Alt) chord should be holding 4 fingers on the key row below home row. The command chord will then be 4 fingers above home row, unless you select the 'International' chord shuffling.

You can swap the hand/alt keys with the MyGesture Editor. We are planning to silkscreen a small 'Option' label on the Alt key in future layout designs. Thanks for the feedback!

[resonance]

There are plenty of commands/functions in Quark/Indesign/Illustrator/Photoshop/eMagic Logic Audio, etc, which demand use of many, many modifiers. How would one go about performing, for example, a shift-option-command-drag? I find myself reverting to the keyboard on my powerbook for these things because the Touchstream doesn't always register those kinds of modifier combinations (is there a secret)?

[MrLightTouch]

Two secrets:
1. Don't touchdown on all three modifier keys simultaneously, or they will be interpreted as a chord not three keys. Hold Shift then Cmd then Option.
2. Be careful not to roll/slide the fingers holding the modifier keys too much, or they could turn into a slide chord.

You also have the option of creating a zone chord, either along the number keys or way below home row, that emits all three modifiers. At some point we'll fix the firmware so you can hold all three by spreading the fingers across the three zones.

[resonance]

Great! Those tips help.

I want to suggest a helper app or two for training or for reference. Palm handhelds, for example, come with that giraffe app for learning graffitti; that app in particular is great for making sure that one's strokes are consistent and clean. An app like that for chords would be quite welcome, as that kind of repetitive training is very productive.

Also, a menubar (or dock) app for a chord reference would be great--even better if the touchstream shipped with a chord which launches the reference or brings it to the front. There are plenty of functions for which I know chords exist, but end up not using because I don't have the reference card handy (word/line select is a good example of this).

Lastly, having taller pads on the touchstream's stand would be great. I am currently using a keyboard gel wrist rest which is about twice as high as the stand's pads and it's just high enough to allow me to keep my hands "floating" over the touchstream's surface (as recommended by your manual). It also prevents the bottom of my palms from touching the bottom of the touchstream's surface (which seems to sometimes register as a key press). I realize these sorts of things are subjective.

Keep in mind that these are just suggestions, not necessarily requests and certainly not complaints. So far the touchstream is really amazing, and I find the thought behind the product and its use nothing short of brilliant. I can't wait to get up to speed on this thing!

Thanks.

[Dan]

" Keep in mind that these are just suggestions, not necessarily requests and certainly not complaints. So far the touchstream is really amazing... "

Well said! This is exactly how I feel about my comments in these forum threads. You've captured how I feel about my TouchStream and fingerworks perfectly and I just had to comment on it. These are indeed exceptional products, with exceptional people behind them.

I'd like to heartily endorse all of your suggestions and hope fingerworks considers them. I'd make heavy use of the trainer app even after having owned my LP for over a month. And I'd _definitely_ make use of a pop up reference guide for the standard chords and gestures.

I know for a fact that I'm not using my TouchStream to its fullest capabilities. For example I don't use Word frequently enough to have memorized the chords and gestures for it, but I use it often enough that a pop up reference would be a huge benefit. Without it I find that I end up mousing more than I'd need to if a gesture set guide were readily accessible.

And I love the idea of wrist pads that are raised a bit higher than the ones currently incorporated into the stand. I typically rest my LP in my lap (on its stand) when I type and higher wrist pads would make typing much more comfortable for me. I'll look for gel pads that might be suitable and see what I can rig up.

[fingerworks]

The gesture editor's database should provide a sound foundation for a gesture training app, when we get around to it :)

In the meantime, the best we can suggest is to keep a copy of the quick-reference PDFs on your Mac OS X desktop:

http://www.fingerworks.com/pdf/TouchStream_QuickGuides.pdf

Some people do prefer the higher palm pads, and it's pretty easier to find 3/4" thick oval gel pads at computer stores. But our 1/2" pads are sufficient to keep most people's palms off the bottom row. We chose the 1/2" thickness to provide partial hover support without restricting hand/arm sliding mobility, an ergonomic no-no.

The 'complete' hover support of thicker pads may seem enticing, but discourages you from keeping the wrist straight and sliding palms across the pads for long reaches. If your palms are staying planted for long reaches, you're probably extending the fingers and rotating the wrist instead. Ergonomists tend to think such frequent wrist rotations/flexions can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.