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Do you use a macro keyboard for shortcuts? If so, what for and what size? (programming.dev)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by to c/programming@programming.dev
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Macro keyboards are mini programmable USB keyboards that can be pressed to trigger shortcuts, a sequence of keypresses etc. They can have several layers so switching to a different one will trigger different keypresses from the same key, so e.g. different IDEs can be represented.

I've just bought one with a view to setting up shortcuts for debugging. Each IDE has its own unique keys for navigating through the code, so I figure it'll be nice to just press one key to start debugging and one key to step into instead of a combination of ctrl+whatever etc

Do you use one? If so, what do you use it for and what size do you use? Is it too big / too small?

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[–] [S] 2 points 2 years ago* (4 children)

Wow. I updated the post above with some cheapo alternatives that have mechanical keys.

There's also MIDI controllers like: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007444327683.html maybe more listed under DJ / mixing controllers

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

    The first three have one too little horizontal row for a comfortable hand position. The last one is something I contemplated but with knobs instead and I failed to find something like that. I also get an impression that it would be uncomfortable to constantly move my hand between two keyboards but maybe I'm wrong as I never had two small keyboards to use. When hunting in the past I also read that a lot of this stuff has some shitty config apps and/or quality problems. I gave some thought making an ideal macropad myself but I'm too broke for an expensive hobby like that. I'm very happy with the macropad I managed to get because it was really hard to find something that would fit what I was looking for. It's my first macropad ever and my first mechanical keeb as well so I was very lucky to settle on something good despite my lack of knowledge on this stuff. The settings app, onboard memory, and layers with display are also very satisfactory. It feels so good to use that the macropad I sent above feels like the only thing that would fully satisfy my more advanced needs and I would be willing to buy it if I could afford it. The size is perfect as well, it has a lot of buttons and enough knobs while not taking up too much space to leave a lot of room on my desk for the drawing tablet.

    Edit: Us constantly making edits makes it a bit confusing. I'm not sure if the midi thing was there when I started writing the message or if it was added during that time. lol

    Anyway, I contemplated a midi board for knobs but midi boards have limited turn radius +that would require finding some special software to actually use it. Additionally there wouldn't be onboard memory which I'm enjoying a lot. Nothing will beat VIA/QMK programmable purpose specific keyboard.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    I'm really happy that it works for you! Well done on doing the hard work to find it!

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Yea, doing all the research was a grind. I expected it to be a simple purchase because I thought macropads weren't that niche but I was proven very wrong on that. xD

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