Re: [Gzz] A preliminary quasimode-based interface for Fenfire and Loom

[Benja Fallenstein]

Tuomas Lukka wrote:
> > Text entered without pressing a modifier is simply normal
> > text input. It goes where the text cursor is. If there
> > is no text cursor, one is created at the end of the
> > currently focused node or literal.
>
> Hmm, I dislike the "one is created" stuff - why not just always
> have one? The user should see where the text will go...

Because the text at the beginning is most relevant for understanding 
what the node is about, but wanting to type at the end of the node is 
much more common than wanting to type at the beginning of the node. 
I.e., when you're not typing, the text should be scrolled to the 
beginning of the node, but when you start typing, it should jump to the end.

We could show a text cursor at the end anyway, which may be outside the 
viewport before you start typing...

> > The *Left* and *Right* keys are used to move the text
> > cursor. If there is no text cursor, *Left* creates one
> > at the beginning and *Right* creates one at the end
> > of the text in the focused node or literal.
>
> Ok, what about move word, move sentence?

Not specified yet :-)

I think I'd probably go for the usual Ctrl-Left / Ctrl-Right for moving 
words.

> > Alt is used for the movement quasimode. That is, while you
> > hold down Alt (and no other modifier), you can move around
> > in the structure using the arrowsets known from zzstructure.
> > Our arrowsets are 9-key: we have ``uiojkln,.`` and
> > ``wersdfxcv``. This allows convenient rotation of the
> > wheel view.
> >
> > Pressing Shift while Alt is held down enters a special
> > command quasimode. 
>
> Why not 'Ctrl'? Or one of the other modifiers that microsoft
> has excreted on our keyboards?

Right, should've said that.

Mainly ergonomical reasons. Shift is easiest to type, Alt is next on 
most keyboards today-- a nice big key left of the spacebar, which you 
can easily reach with the thumb. Using the thumb is especially nice as 
it may be held down for long periods of time as you navigate the 
structure, and the thumb is a) a strong finger and b) easy to use 
independently of the other fingers, which you may need for typing the 
arrow keys.

Also, Ctrl is not good in Loom because we want to integrate well with 
PUIs, and many PUI users have habituated e.g. Ctrl-X/C/V for operating 
the PUI clipboard, I think.

As for the MS keys, they have preprogrammed functions in Win which we 
cannot control, plus do you really think we can trap them reliably among 
Javas? I somehow cannot imagine they all use the same name for them :-)

> Btw: you used the term "quasimodal" somewhere -- I just get
> images of hunchbacks ;)

Fine with me ;-)

- Benja