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Replacement for Karabiner?

Posted: 14 Sep 2016, 21:59
by stratokaster
Greetings, ladies and gentlemen.

As you probably know, a new version of OS X (now called macOS) is upon us. In fact, some folks, who prefer to live in the fast lane, already have it installed. It's a nice (if a bit superficial) update, but there is one nagging little problem with it: it's not supported by Karabiner, and judging by the current state of affairs, the support isn't arriving any time soon.

I use Karabiner to switch between different languages (input sources in Apple's parlance) and to enable scrolling with my Logitech Marble Mouse. I probably can use my previous method of switching input sources, which involves a homebrew console utility and a bunch of scripts, but I have no idea how to enable trackball scrolling without Karabiner.

So, the question is: are there any direct replacements for Karabiner, or at least some apps similar to it?

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 02:30
by XMIT
I'd just wait for the Karabiner devs to update their software for the new OS. It should take maybe a couple of weeks or a month.

If there's some software you need and it's not supported on the OS, don't upgrade! I won't, not until the first major update.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 09:14
by stratokaster
XMIT wrote: I'd just wait for the Karabiner devs to update their software for the new OS. It should take maybe a couple of weeks or a month.
Unfortunately, not this time around. Apple completely changed the keyboard/mouse driver architecture in the new OS, and the developers have publicly stated that they don't know when the new version will be released, but it won't be any time soon.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 09:42
by Khers
I'll just not update until a compatible version of Karabiner is released. I can't imagine the latest version of OS X (macOS, whatever) offers anything that even remotely makes up for the loss of Karabiner. Besides, like XMIT writes, one should never update to the first new release of OS X anyway. Better wait a couple of .x iterations.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 12:16
by andrewjoy
stick with Yosemite or el cap , i see no reason to downgrade to macOS.

I understand they need to upgrade but its a pain that everything breaks when they do a major update.

I dread the day that the old workgroup manager app stops working with the new versions of apple server.

Honestly Fuck apple , our server is going FreeBSD

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 12:53
by stratokaster
I wish I could stick with El Capitan, but I make a leaving writing about gadgets, so I really need to be ahead of the curve.

Also I plan to buy a new laptop later this year, and I'm 100% sure it will come with macOS Sierra preinstalled.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 14:18
by the_marsbar
Have you looked at Karabiner-Elements?

https://github.com/tekezo/Karabiner-Elements

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 20:43
by stratokaster
the_marsbar wrote: Have you looked at Karabiner-Elements?

https://github.com/tekezo/Karabiner-Elements
Thank you, it looks promising, although it doesn't support pointing devices yet.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 20:46
by the_marsbar
I'm sure it'll evolve quickly. It look like there's a lot of activity currently. That's a good sign I'd say.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 22:49
by stratokaster
andrewjoy wrote: Honestly Fuck apple , our server is going FreeBSD
I used to have an old Mac mini which I used as a home server (using OS X Server). However, it was getting so bad that I replaced it with an HP Microserver running Linux. Couldn't be happier.

Posted: 15 Sep 2016, 23:09
by Hypersphere
I still use a Mac mini (running OS X Yosemite) for my home entertainment center. I also have 3 Mac Pro machines, but they are running Windows 10 Enterprise via Bootcamp for my routine computing needs. For molecular modeling, I use PC workstations running Linux (Linux Mint 17.3 Xfce).

Back when I used OS X for routine computing, I used Karabiner for keyboard remapping. Now, depending on the keyboard, I use Hasu or Soarer converters, but for some, I still use keyboard remapping software. On Windows, I use ATNsoft Key Manager -- it is easier to use than Karabiner and just as effective for my needs. I share a keyboard and mouse between Mac/Windows and Linux machines using a combination of an Iogear hardware KM switch and Synergy software. Everything "just works".

Posted: 29 Sep 2016, 10:18
by the_marsbar
Just a small update. I had some difficulty setting up Karabiner-Elements, but after a re-install everything worked just fine. The only thing I don't know how to do it enable HHKB-style arrows (I use a Novatouch at home).

I am now at a state where I'm ready to update my Mac at home to Sierra (my office laptop has been running it since it was released).

Posted: 09 Oct 2016, 19:16
by face
Did someone already upgrade on macOS? Any experiences?

Posted: 09 Oct 2016, 19:59
by the_marsbar
I've had no issues with it so far. I enjoy the universal clipboard, it's really nice. The only hiccup is that Karabiner-Elements is still missing some features that I'd like.

Posted: 16 Oct 2016, 21:26
by face
Hey,

just installed macOS (as it is basically a security update...). Noticed that karabiner-elements does not feature key combos - and I would like to change alt+backspace to ctrl+backspace. Ist there a option to do this?

Best regards
Max

Posted: 16 Oct 2016, 21:35
by the_marsbar
I'm not sure that's possible yet... That's one of the features I miss (see my comment about HHKB-style arrows above). I'm sure it'll be implemented though.

Posted: 18 Oct 2016, 05:49
by SavageTech
BetterTouchTool is another great keymapping solution for OSX, or macOS, macXcheese, or whatever they're calling it. As the name implies it also supports trackpads/mice, and it includes custom gesture recognition for both. It's got a lot of other neat tricks too, like window-snapping and application-specific bindings. Give it a shot.

Posted: 18 Oct 2016, 07:56
by face
Can I remap control+backspace to alt+backspace there? I will try it out after work.

Posted: 22 Oct 2016, 08:39
by face
Works. Somehow the sys-pref > keyboard settings for changing caps to control doesn't work for me - so I am using karabiner elements and bettertouchtool at the same time right now.

Posted: 23 Oct 2016, 15:52
by GEIST
I couldn't live without Controllermate anymore. It uses some kind of node-system to map input-devices. Unfortunately it seems not everything works with Sierra either LINK.