Feature request: Quasi (aka Leep) key

[Pitometsu]

Universal modifier key (Mod or Quasi, which name would be better?).

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Main idea: "press Quasi", "press \ (e.g. Ctrl)", "release \", "press \" (with holden "Quasi") => acts like "modifier key" (from "trigger to modifier map" according to pressed \) plus "\".

It may be convenient when you need to hold few modifiers. Example:

• hold "Quasi"
• press and release "Alt"
• press and release "Ctrl"
• press "D" => "Alt+Ctrl+D" as result.

we can customize "trigger to modifier map" to press e.g. "C" key for "Ctrl" modifier.

Here original idea author's blog. I'm not the author. Initially idea based on Jef Raskin's principles from "The Humane Interface".

[Pitometsu]

Also it can help with limitation when we forced to press few modifier keys by single thumb. And thus we can be free from necessity to have all the modifier duplicates for both thumbs.

[algernon]

This sounds very much like One-Shot modifiers, except with one-shots, you do not need the Quasi-key, you just tap Ctrl, Alt, and d to get Alt+Ctrl+D.

Though, reading the original article, it is closer to Leader, the main difference is that for Leader, you don't have to hold the Leader key, either.

Would Leader be a close enough approximation?

[Pitometsu]

Similar, but not the same. According to Jef Raskin's principles, modes are evil, but holding key let our mind keep it explicit (that's where Quasi name from: quasi-modes. Modal editing without modes). With leader key it's pretty simple to forgot that you pressed prefix (any attention refocus). With key holding it's enough just release key - and mode will be forgotten. See "The Humane Interface" for details.

[algernon]

Mhm. I'll see if I can teach Leader to work its magic while held, too... that should do the trick, I hope.

[Pitometsu]

It supposed to work like:

• keep modifiers while Quasi pressed

• hold "Quasi"
• press and release "Alt"
• press and release "Ctrl"
• press "D" => "Alt+Ctrl+D" as a result.

• forgot modifiers when Quasi released

• hold "Quasi"
• press and release "Alt"
• press and release "Ctrl"
• release "Quasi"
• press "D" => "D" as a result.

• keep modigiers while switching the hand

• hold "Quasi"
• press and release "Alt"
• press "Quasi" (e.g. other hand)
• press and release "Ctrl"
• release "Quasi"
• press "D"
• release "Quasi"
• press "D" => "Alt+Ctrl+D", "D" as a result.

• yet forgot mode on release

• hold "Quasi"
• press and release "Alt"
• release "Quasi"
• press "Quasi" (e.g. other hand)
• press and release "Ctrl"
• press "D"
• release "Quasi"
• press "D" => "Ctrl+D", "D" as a result.

  
  The main advantage is the reducing number of modifiers (no duplication for each hand) while keeping an ergonomic (hold modifiers on the opposite keyboard side).
  @algernon that wold be fantastic to have such workflow in the Crysalis BTW.