New user initial impressions from GeorgeW

GeorgeW 2017-09-06 01:48:39 UTC #1

I received my TREG TextBlade unit today, so these are my first impressions.

Firstly, a disclaimer: I'm typing this on my regular Apple keyboard - I have tested out the Textblade but have only typed a few sentences on it. It does take some getting used to because the keys are so close together. I'm sure I'll adapt to it quickly, but I wanted to take a few photos and get my thoughts out of my head quickly.

First thought: this thing actually EXISTS. I admit to having doubts - I ordered in March 2015 and it's been a long time. I popped into the forums here and there to see if there were any updates, and there were times that I questioned whether it made sense to continue waiting. I couldn't find anything out there that was as small, though, so I decided to just sit it out and hope for the best. I'm truly grateful to have been picked for the TREG group, and I know how frustrating it must be for other people waiting for this gizmo.

I put together a photo album of the unboxing and first few minutes here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CtvgrtzX2Wo9obs03

Initial impressions are that it's exceptionally small and light. It feels solid but the weight of the thing makes me fearful of breaking it. That said, it may be just the initial caution of trying out a new device - I'm usually really careful with anything new, so it may just be me. The hardware is absolutely beautiful, as is the packaging. It's all first-class.

The lights on the spaceblade are pretty cool - it's amazing how much information some flashing LEDs can convey.

I'm bound by the TREG agreement not to disclose the 'early adopter' gift (this is why the box text is blocked out on in my photo, but I will say that it's something that will be appreciated by everybody who has ordered and waited (and waited and waited) for this new device.

Setup was a breeze. I didn't need to check any documentation, and within a few minutes I had it connected to my phone, iPad, and Macbook in the first three 'jump' slots. The jumps truly are excellent - bouncing between devices is super fast. It was charged out of the box and ready to go, so I didn't need to charge it. Actually, as I write this I realize I should probably confirm that the charger attachment is present...

Yup, it's there, tucked into the space bar - it pops out when you knock the spaceblade against your palm.

I had no real issues getting it set up and connected to my Mac and iOS devices - the only thing I needed to fiddle with was the hardware keyboard settings on my iPhone and iPad - I use Colemak as my key layout, and the "hardware keyboard" setting in the iOS devices was set to Colemak. It made more sense to switch the layout using the maps in the Textblade app. I'll bring it with me to work tomorrow and pair it to my work computer (Windows), but I suspect it'll be just as easy. Really it's just a matter of holding down the buttons corresponding to the "slot" and putting the TB into pairing mode, and then following whatever pairing requirements are needed for that system.

Changing maps was pretty quick and easy - just select the new map, and it prompts you to choose which jump slots to use for that map. I switched all my slots to Colemak.

I have my 'walkthrough' call with WayTools tomorrow night, so hopefully by then I'll have a chance to practice typing and acclimatizing my fingers to the smaller set of keys.

I haven't had the thing long enough to come across any problems or glitches. I'm hopeful that I don't find any, because that'll speed release to get this thing into more people's hands.

If anybody has questions I'd be happy to answer them.

dabigkahuna 2017-09-06 02:48:58 UTC #2

It is, of course, possible to break, but I'd say it is quite solid.

Dropping it on a hard surface could certainly hurt it, but that should be expected. There is also the issue of bending the blades too far. They flex, but there are limits and it is probably smart not to flex them at all if possible.

With that in mind, when packing it up, the metal side of the space blade should be visible. This reduces the magnetic attraction quite a bit. Also, slide the blades apart rather than pulling them apart. And if you happen to use it on a metal table, it is really going to hold on tight! So ease the keyblades up from the outer ends where there is less metal.

I have a little metal sheet in my lapdesk, but being thin, it isn't a strong pull so no problem for me.

There is likely a second one in your accessory box. When Mark first called me, he told me about it (I thought it just contained extra key caps, etc). He recommended using this extra one at home where I could just leave it plugged in and leave the other in the TB so it would be available if I ever was out and running low.

I think in some cases, you have to do it that way. I certainly did with dvorak! When I set the TB to qwerty and my mac to dvorak (which is how I used other keyboards), there was at least one character that couldn't be typed! It makes more sense to chance in on the TB anyway since most people are set to qwerty. That way you can usually pair with someone elses computer without changing their settings.

GeorgeW 2017-09-06 04:03:32 UTC #3

The only downside I've found to having the TB set to Colemak and my Mac set to Qwerty is that I can't switch back to my previous keyboard without switching the Mac to Colemak. Not a big deal though, and probably something I could configure with a custom map for the Mac.

dabigkahuna 2017-09-06 04:09:51 UTC #4

Or you'll be like many of the rest of us and never go back once you fully adjust!

awh_tokyo 2017-09-06 04:18:02 UTC #5

There's an option in the Jumps screen where you can choose "Interpret characters as... Colemak". That's what you want to choose. I have mine set that way so I can leave my laptop set to Dvorak mode so I can still use the built-in keyboard.

waytools 2017-09-06 04:19:32 UTC #6

You can also leave your host set to Colemak, and set your TextBlade to the Colemak map.

Just use the setting on your Jump config sheet to -

"Interpret Characters As > Colemak"

TextBlade will automatically translate on the fly to reconcile the two map settings.

As long as you tell TextBlade how the host is set, it can automatically handle this for you.

waytools 2017-09-06 04:20:02 UTC #7

What Drew said.

dabigkahuna 2017-09-06 04:37:36 UTC #8

Okay, @WayTools

I'm confused now.

I presently have my computer set to qwerty and my TextBlade layout is dvorak (with some customizations!), which seems fine. But in that jump config sheet, it says "U.S. English".

Should I make changes and set the intrepretation as "dvorak" and what would be the pros and cons of any different approach? This is apparently something I've completely overlooked before.

waytools 2017-09-06 04:54:39 UTC #9

DBK - US English = qwerty

So you're fine as you are.

If you had other reasons to set your mac to native Dvorak, you can use the same tip described above.

The "Interpret Characters as" setting lets TextBlade know what your host is assuming and adapts to it.

dabigkahuna 2017-09-06 05:24:31 UTC #10

So if I wanted my computer to still be Dvorak (in case I used an ordinary keyboard!), I would just just the jumps to interpret as dvorak, right?

Trying to see if I can find any advantages for some situations and clear up the interactions.

You said in the Colemak example, you could set the host to Colemak AND the TB to Colemak. Does that mean, if I switched my Jump config to "interpret as dvorak", it wouldn't matter what my computer was set to?

Using my stuff as an example:

Layout would always be my customized dvorak.

Host could be dvorak or what I have now (qwerty), but if I used someone elses computer, they might be set to colemak or anything.

Interpretation could be English or Dvorak.

Sort of wondering if the setting on my TB could be set so that no matter what host computer I connect to, it will always work as I want without changing the host setting. I'm just not sure exactly how these three variables work together with the various possible options for each.

IPdude 2017-09-06 05:43:32 UTC #11

Hey look - I was able to un-blurr a redacted TB box top! FREE GIFT is pretty cool!

[un-blurring courtesy CSI: Miami]

waytools 2017-09-06 06:07:11 UTC #12

Creative photoshop job there, but no, it's not pizza.

dabigkahuna 2017-09-06 06:15:12 UTC #13

But I never put pineapple on my pizzas! Actually, I tend to eat mostly plain things. Cheese pizza for example, though I'll accept some options - but not many!

awh_tokyo 2017-09-06 09:34:47 UTC #14

I believe Hawaiian pizza was actually invented by a Greek immigrant to Canada.

awh_tokyo 2017-09-06 09:43:45 UTC #15

No, it still matters what the computer is set to.

The setting defaults to "Interpret characters as US English". Now, imagine that you press green-S (@ sign). With "Interpret characters as US English", the TextBlade sends a Shift-2 to the computer, because that's how to type a @ on the US-English layout.

But a person in the UK would type green-S (@ sign), and if he doesn't change the "Interpret characters as US English" setting, the Textblade still sends Shift-2, but on his computer, the result will be " instead of @! (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_and_American_keyboards to see why). So he needs to change the setting to "Interpret characters as UK English" so that when he types Green-S, the TextBlade will send Shift-' to the keyboard instead of Shift-2.

So, to make a long story short, it will always matter what your computer is set to, and the "Interpret characters as..." setting needs to match that, or else the TextBlade will send the wrong keystrokes.

GeorgeW 2017-09-06 11:46:33 UTC #16

Ok, that is just too cool! I didn't realize that was what the 'interpret characters as' setting meant, but that makes perfect sense.

Still getting my fingers used to moving less, but so far adaptation has been pretty easy. Just finished writing my morning journal with the TB (along with this post) and I am doing pretty well. Symbols are taking a bit of time to find on the green layer.

Even though my TREG unit is printed with QWERTY keys it has worked fine for me with Colemak since I don't look at the keys much anyhow.

Biggest letter issues habe been with the V and the B because my finger keeps overreaching for the v and hits the b when I am going fast. I think that will go away in time.

GeorgeW 2017-09-06 15:42:17 UTC #17

"Host is expecting" might be clearer than "Interpret characters as"...

Then again, I'm sure this is something that only comes up for people like me who use a non-standard layout.

itimpi 2017-09-06 16:41:45 UTC #18

I would have thought something like “Host Keyboard Layout” might be even clearer? I personally have my hosts set to “UK English” as that is what my non-TextBlade keyboards are, while my TextBlade has the Map set to Colemak. The OS selection is relevant to the special meta-characters such as the Edit keys and copy/paste, and eing able to do those in a OS independent way helps when you have different OS on different jump slots.

I actually have one Jump slot paired with a dongle and set to QWERTY specifically for the case where visiting friends (who almost universally are used to QWERTY keyboards) want to try out the TextBlade as then at least the legends that are on my TextBlade keys match what the host sees.

waytools 2017-09-06 17:07:17 UTC #19

A bit subtle concept to express in 3 words, as you see from the diversity of suggestions.

We think the answer is to add an info button where you can get a few sentences that explain what it can do for you in more detail.

GeorgeW 2017-09-06 17:58:58 UTC #20

Agreed - it's not clear within the app what the settings do within the jumps. Not an easy concept to explain, especially when most people have no concept that keyboards can be something other than QWERTY.