HHKB Pro 2 - dip switch 3

[ShivaYash]

Hello chaps,

Can someone please explain what dip switch 3 does on the HHKB Pro 2? I don't think my switch 3 is working.

With best wishes,

SY

[chzel]

It should be making Delete function as Backspace

[Muirium]

Context: Shiva is a Mac user, like me.

I ink the Mac mode switch on the HHKB overrides switch 3's function. As soon as I had my HHKB out the box, I flipped the Mac switch and plugged it in. The key above Return works as Backspace, no further fiddling necessary. I actually expected to have to flip two switches, as Backspace is indeed what I want there, not Delete. But they got me in one!

As for how to make it Delete on a Mac, I suggest trying the opposite: deselect Mac mode and then flip switch 3. I'm not sure what else the Mac switch affects. Media keys?

[ShivaYash]

Thanks to both! Was feeling quite silly for asking, but now I understand. And how to I get a Fn + delete key?

[chzel]

Ah, you Apple lovers...
According to this, Mac mode basically affects the media keys.

[ShivaYash]

What I'd actually like this. Backspace when DELETE (key above RETURN) is pressed. And then Fn + DELETE to give me a backspace. But in fact, I can only get backspace with Fn + `

[ShivaYash]

Ah, you Apple lovers...
According to this, Mac mode basically affects the media keys.

Yes, I should have said, I'm an Apple user. Not so sure about lover... the demise of the company is apparent since the demise of someone else. RIP Jobs.

[ShivaYash]

Context: Shiva is a Mac user, like me.

I ink the Mac mode switch on the HHKB overrides switch 3's function. As soon as I had my HHKB out the box, I flipped the Mac switch and plugged it in. The key above Return works as Backspace, no further fiddling necessary. I actually expected to have to flip two switches, as Backspace is indeed what I want there, not Delete. But they got me in one!

As for how to make it Delete on a Mac, I suggest trying the opposite: deselect Mac mode and then flip switch 3. I'm not sure what else the Mac switch affects. Media keys?

How is life with the HHKB? I want to hear a recording of the Type-S.

[ShivaYash]

And Mu, I'd appreciate a FULL review of that case you also picked up. I have travelled with my HHKB Pro 2 today and carried it in a plastic bag, a thick on, made in Japan

I'm after a slim neoprene zip pouch to do the job, so the KB still fits into my work bag, which is a 15 inch leather satchel.

[chzel]

Not a zip closure one, but the Griffiti ones are nice (Grifiti Chiton Fat Keyboard Sleeve). They are well made and have a pocket for the cable. If you put it in a bag it should be more than fine!

[ShivaYash]

Not a zip closure one, but the Griffiti ones are nice (Grifiti Chiton Fat Keyboard Sleeve). They are well made and have a pocket for the cable. If you put it in a bag it should be more than fine!

Ordered! Thanks v. much.

[Muirium]

The official HHKB bag I've got is too bulky to suit you, I think. I carry my 15" MacBook Pro in a slim Incase bag — I've been carrying laptops around in their own bag since the late 90s so its second nature to me and I loathe backpacks anyway — which the HHKB bag complements quite nicely with a generous second section for the Mac's power supply and various accessories. I don't carry around a keyboard every day, but this will be my go to for long journeys when the HHKB is coming with me.

I'll review them both together, of course.

As for your Fn + Backspace = Delete idea, I expected the same shortcut too. You already run Karabiner, I think, so you could swap it in, if Fn + Backspace produces a unique output. I'm on my big old clicky NMB just now so can't quickly check.

[ShivaYash]

Really strange but now it works how I want! I have delete on the single key and then backspace in the Fn +

[Hypersphere]

On my HHKB Pro 2, I have DIP switches 2 and 3 On and all the others Off. This gives me the Delete key as Backspace (Backward Delete) and Fn+Backquote/Tilde as Forward Delete.

However, the way I have my other keyboards remapped using Karabiner is Backslash = Backspace (Backward Delete) and Fn+Backspace = Forward Delete.

I suppose I could superimpose Karabiner on my HHKB Pro 2, but I like not having to use any remapping software with my HHKB Pro 2.

As for typing pleasure, however, I am currently favoring my Matias-switch keyboards.

[Muirium]

Weird. I have my HHKB (Pro 2 Type-S) in just now, and the only dip switch on is switch 2: Macintosh mode. I get exactly the same behaviour as you describe: the "Delete" key above Return is actually Backspace (as I prefer) and Fn + ` = Delete. Just like you and Shiva, I'd prefer Fn + "Delete" to be the actual Delete. Let's see if switch 3 does anything…

Nope. (Even when replugging the keyboard.) Switch 2 masks switch 3. Try disabling 3 on yours to see what I mean.

I've flipped switch 2 off and left 3 on. This is a little different. Now Fn + "Delete" sends Backspace instead of the "Clear" key that Macs have in place of Num Lock on the numpad. (Not the most known about or useful of keys. It's one I've used way back in Excel, but most things ignore it.) But "Delete" sends Backspace even without Fn, so that's not exactly helpful. And with Mac mode disabled, the Command keys are gone. Nothing shows up when I press the keys either side of spacebar.

With all switches off now. (I had to cycle the USB for the change to show up. Apparently the dip switches only function on keyboard power up.) Having actual Delete above the Return key is… disruptive, shall we say! This time, though, both states of the Delete key have separate values, which could be good for Karabiner. It works exactly as its legends say. Fn + ` still also sends Delete, incidentally.

Phew, that's enough of that! Back to Mac mode where Command lives and "Delete" definitely keeps its protective air quotes! Notably, my Mac's built in keyboard calls Backspace "Delete" as well:



I can live with the symmetric inconsistency!

[Hypersphere]

I just checked the Karabiner commands, and they don't list "Backspace". Instead, there is "PC_BS". In Karabiner-speak, it seems that "Delete" is "Backspace" and "Foward Delete" is, well, Forward Delete (or Delete in Mac-speak).

In any event, I have given up trying to get Fn+Backspace = Forward Delete on my HHKB. Instead, I have the DIP switch setting such that Delete = Backspace and Fn+Backquote = Forward Delete.

With other keyboards, however, I use Karabiner to get Fn+Backspace = Forward Delete.

This is worse than following the Abbott and Costello routine of "Who's on first?"

[Muirium]

Right enough, my Apple Extended II says "delete" on its Backspace key, too. So they've been doing it for a while. Right down to the lowercase!

[Hypersphere]

Today I took another look at some built-in settings for Karabiner. There are several for converting Delete (aka Backspace) into Forward Delete using Control, Option, Shift, or Command, but not Fn. I tried these and they all work. However, I would find this too confusing, so I think I will stick with Fn+Backquote/Tilde = Forward Delete on my HHKB, even if I can do Fn+Backspace = Forward Delete on my other keyboards.

BTW, I tried making my own entry in the private.xml file for Fn+Backspace = Forward Delete, but this did not work. If I really wanted to pursue this, I would post in the Karabiner Forum; when I have put questions there in the past, I have usually received a solution via email the next day from the author of the program.

[Muirium]

Karabiner's referring to Apple's keyboards, not third party ones like the HHKB. Apple's own Fn key is quite different:

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/host ... t5768.html

What you need to do is convert "Clear" to Delete. That's what Fn + "Delete" sends when in Mac mode. If Clear isn't there, try Num Lock. Strange but true!

[Hypersphere]

I haven't yet tried Karabiner with an Apple keyboard.

Regarding keyboards for which I have set up a Fn key that sends a scan code, Karabiner has a number of automatic functions, including Fn+Delete = Forward Delete.

On the HHKB Pro 2, Fn is hardwired and does not send a scan code.

[Muirium]

Correct. That's what I mean. Karabiner is clearly centred around Apple's own somewhat oddball names for things, and "Fn" refers strictly to Apple's Fn key, everywhere it shows up.

I don't use Karabiner. (I'm allergic to 3rd party kernel extensions, period.) But if I did, I'd look at pointing "Clear" to Delete.

[ShivaYash]

Not a zip closure one, but the Griffiti ones are nice (Grifiti Chiton Fat Keyboard Sleeve). They are well made and have a pocket for the cable. If you put it in a bag it should be more than fine!

Ordered! Thanks v. much.

My order arrived today, and honestly, I am not that impressed. Whilst it only cost £10, the HHKB doesn't exactly fit properly. I think the trade off is having a case that does not cause keypresses versus a snug fit. Its a damn sight better than a plastic bag. But I am sure there is a better alternative out there.

With best,

[chzel]

Is it too small or too big?
It fits my FaceU replica (Poker sized) just fine with about 2cm to spare on the side, so I'd think the HHKB should be just fine!
Surely there are better alternatives, but at that price point?

[ShivaYash]

It's a little big. But less, at this price, not much else is available.

[Muirium]

For reference, my official HHKB bag cost me £14.06 as I was paying postage on the accompanying HHKB anyway!

[Stabilized]

My order arrived today, and honestly, I am not that impressed. Whilst it only cost £10, the HHKB doesn't exactly fit properly. I think the trade off is having a case that does not cause keypresses versus a snug fit. Its a damn sight better than a plastic bag. But I am sure there is a better alternative out there.

With best,

Do you have a link to the case that you bought?

I bought one of these a while ago, and it seemed to fit the HHKB pretty well, and kept the keyboard safe for the number of times I took the keyboard with me.
Now that I have sold my HHKB, and have been using it for my faceu replica and Gon NerD; both fit really well!

[ShivaYash]

My order arrived today, and honestly, I am not that impressed. Whilst it only cost £10, the HHKB doesn't exactly fit properly. I think the trade off is having a case that does not cause keypresses versus a snug fit. Its a damn sight better than a plastic bag. But I am sure there is a better alternative out there.

With best,

Do you have a link to the case that you bought?

I bought one of these a while ago, and it seemed to fit the HHKB pretty well, and kept the keyboard safe for the number of times I took the keyboard with me.
Now that I have sold my HHKB, and have been using it for my faceu replica and Gon NerD; both fit really well!

Here is the model I opted for: Grifiti Chiton Fat 12 6" x 13" Neoprene Keyboard Sleeve for 10keyless Mechanical and 11-13 Inch Keyboards, Logitech, Amazon Basics, Ivation, Azio, Razer, Steelseries, CM Storm, CM Quickfire and other Fat 10keyless Keyboards with Mouse Pocket https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MRK233I/ ... 1ub0JG5TPQ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MRK233I/ ... 1ub0JG5TPQ

Did I make a mistake and get the wrong one?

[chzel]

That's the one I have (the Fat), I don't know if the other one is any different size wise.

[Stabilized]

Well the one I bought was designed for a Apple wireless keyboard and I think it is smaller then that one, so it is quite a snug fit.

I don't think that these cases really provide that much protection, but the trade off is not having as much bulk as something like Muirium posted.
That being said, mine has been good enough protection for slinging it in a rucksack.

[ShivaYash]

I think perhaps I'm being too fussy. It's in my nature. I'll take some shots and post for opinions.