More Invisible Keys?

[The00Dustin]

Any chance we could talk you guys at fingerworks into a couple more invisible keys on the TouchStream LS? I was thinking maybe one to the right of PageUp and another to the left of InvisibleKey0... Is that even possible or would it require hardware modifications as opposed to firmware modifictaions? To anyone who is concerned about hitting those keys on accident if they existed, I am assuming they would be unconfigured or configured to match Backspace and Space, respectively. What does everyone else think? (When I said we I meant you).

[JerryKnight]

The whole notion of keys is entirely in firmware, since the sensors are in a uniform grid. So technically there's no problem with adding more keys.

The real problem is tolerance. The more keys you pack in, the more accurate your fingers have to be, lest the keystroke is misinterpreted. And requiring more accuracy for invisible keys is not a good idea.

But the space to the right of page up is a good spot - not too close to backspace. Maybe another next to the arrows (Is that the inviskey0? I forget their numbers).. Other keys may fit in too, if you Sharpie their positions on the surface so you know exactly where to tap. That's usually what I do with the existing invisible keys, but it does rub off after a couple weeks.

Since the key concept is purely software, maybe eventually we'll have the ability to define our own new keys. But there would be a practical limit on the number of keys that would fit on the surface. You can currently move existing keys, even beyond what the editor allows, by editing the XML (I think).

[The00Dustin]

Yes, that is InvisibleKey0, and the blank space next to it is what I was referring to, it would keep the keyboard mostly symmetric.

[The00Dustin]

Another possible usefoul place for invisible keys might be to the left of InvisibleKey7 and right of InvisibleKey13 (southwest of F6 and southeast of F12). These InvisibleKeys could also have BackSpace and Space respectively as their defoult functions. Or am I the only one that finds the ability to create so many one touch macros useful?

[JerryKnight]

I love having the media keys on the invisible keys.. The only problem I have is when I over-reach the inner key column while typing and inadvertantly start/stop XMMS.. But it is possible to move the keys a little to avoid this..

Those locations (near f6/f12) could work, depending on your space/backspace habits, but you're right - they could default to space/backspace. I see no problem there.

So that's 4 extra buttons that wouldn't really interfere that much. Maybe FW will add them in the near future.