Towards an easier Lozenge command character on Windows #73

Typing the lozenge command character ◊ on Windows with Alt-nnnn is tedious at best, and doubly so on a laptop that doesn't have a numpad, and impossible on one without numlock at all.

There has to be a better way.

Command Overview has a note about using world:command-marker to configure the command character to something else (though where to define is left as an exercise for the reader). It's sub-optimal because it will make it harder to work collaboratively with others.

I got excited when I saw a post about enabling and using AltGr for a subset of Alt-codes, but lozenge doesn't seem to be in the Wikipedia list. (Which is what makes it good as a command character in the first place, it doesn't get used.)

What I'll probably do is leverage AutoHotKey and bind double-tap [some-key] (ref). This works for me because I'm using AHK already, others might find that as too much friction. I opened this issue in case someone has a better solution I haven't thought of?

Typing the lozenge command character `◊` on Windows with Alt-nnnn is tedious at best, and doubly so [on a laptop](http://fsymbols.com/keyboard/windows/alt-codes/laptop/) that doesn't have a numpad, and impossible on one without numlock at all. There has to be a better way. [Command Overview](http://pkg-build.racket-lang.org/doc/pollen/reader.html) has a note about using `world:command-marker` to configure the command character to something else (though where to define is left as an exercise for the reader). It's sub-optimal because it will make it harder to work collaboratively with others. I got excited when I saw a post about enabling and using [`AltGr` for a subset of Alt-codes](http://superuser.com/a/459800/16966), but lozenge doesn't seem to be in [the Wikipedia list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AltGr_key). (Which is what makes it good as a command character in the first place, it doesn't get used.) What I'll probably do is leverage AutoHotKey and bind _double-tap [some-key]_ ([ref](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1794258/detect-a-double-key-press-in-autohotkey)). This works for me because I'm using AHK already, others might find that as too much friction. I opened this issue in case someone has a better solution I haven't thought of?

You can override the command character on a per-project basis using a config submodule in your "directory-require.rkt" file. You are correct, however, that there ought to be a cross-reference in the “Command Overview” docs (and now, there is).

As for the ergonomics, I acknowledge that the lozenge is not easy to type (even on a Mac keyboard — I use a utility called Typinator to assign it to a more convenient location).

You can override the command character on a per-project basis using a `config` submodule in your `"directory-require.rkt"` file. You are correct, however, that there ought to be a cross-reference in the “Command Overview” docs (and now, there is). As for the ergonomics, I acknowledge that the lozenge is not easy to type (even on a Mac keyboard — I use a utility called Typinator to assign it to a more convenient location).

BTW the instructions to change the command char.

BTW [the instructions](http://pkg-build.racket-lang.org/doc/pollen/World.html#%28part._.Settable_values%29) to change the command char.

Thank you for documentation (and promptness!)

Here's a working AHK script to have double-tap back-tick send the lozenge character. It took way more time than I want to think about, once started I couldn't let go.

; -={ tick-tick-lozenge.ahk }=-
; Double-tap backtick sends Pollen command character (◊)
; For some reason I needed to use Unicode 'U+25CA' 
; instead of the standard alt-code '9674'
;
; Adapted from http://ahkscript.org/docs/commands/SetTimer.htm
; and http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/145507-how-to-use-double-tap-backtick-with-pass-through/
;
#EscapeChar \
$`::
if winc_presses > 0 
    {winc_presses += 1
    return
    }

winc_presses = 1
SetTimer, TheKey, 250 ; Wait for more presses, in milliseconds
return

TheKey:
    SetTimer, TheKey, off
    if winc_presses = 1 ; The key was pressed once.
        {Send `
        }
    else if winc_presses = 2 ; The key was pressed twice.
        {Send {U+25CA}
        }

; Regardless of which action above was triggered, reset the count to
; prepare for the next series of presses:
winc_presses = 0
return

Thank you for documentation (and promptness!) Here's a working AHK script to have double-tap back-tick send the lozenge character. It took way more time than I want to think about, once started I couldn't let go. ``` ; -={ tick-tick-lozenge.ahk }=- ; Double-tap backtick sends Pollen command character (◊) ; For some reason I needed to use Unicode 'U+25CA' ; instead of the standard alt-code '9674' ; ; Adapted from http://ahkscript.org/docs/commands/SetTimer.htm ; and http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/145507-how-to-use-double-tap-backtick-with-pass-through/ ; #EscapeChar \ $`:: if winc_presses > 0 {winc_presses += 1 return } winc_presses = 1 SetTimer, TheKey, 250 ; Wait for more presses, in milliseconds return TheKey: SetTimer, TheKey, off if winc_presses = 1 ; The key was pressed once. {Send ` } else if winc_presses = 2 ; The key was pressed twice. {Send {U+25CA} } ; Regardless of which action above was triggered, reset the count to ; prepare for the next series of presses: winc_presses = 0 return ```

Nice. Is this something I could add to the docs?

On Jul 17, 2015, at 11:12 PM, matt wilkie notifications@github.com wrote:

Thank you for documentation (and promptness!)

Here's a working AHK script to have double-tap back-tick send the lozenge character. It took way more time than I want to think about, once started I couldn't let go.

; -={ tick-tick-lozenge.ahk }=-
; Double-tap backtick sends Pollen command character (◊)
; For some reason I needed to use Unicode 'U+25CA'
; instead of the standard alt-code '9674'
;
; Adapted from http://ahkscript.org/docs/commands/SetTimer.htm
; and http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/145507-how-to-use-double-tap-backtick-with-pass-through/
;
#EscapeChar
$`::
if winc_presses > 0
{winc_presses += 1
return
}

winc_presses = 1
SetTimer, TheKey, 250 ; Wait for more presses, in milliseconds
return

TheKey:
SetTimer, TheKey, off
if winc_presses = 1 ; The key was pressed once.
{Send `
}
else if winc_presses = 2 ; The key was pressed twice.
{Send {U+25CA}
}

; Regardless of which action above was triggered, reset the count to
; prepare for the next series of presses:
winc_presses = 0
return
—
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

Nice. Is this something I could add to the docs? > On Jul 17, 2015, at 11:12 PM, matt wilkie notifications@github.com wrote: > > Thank you for documentation (and promptness!) > > Here's a working AHK script to have double-tap back-tick send the lozenge character. It took way more time than I want to think about, once started I couldn't let go. > > ; -={ tick-tick-lozenge.ahk }=- > ; Double-tap backtick sends Pollen command character (◊) > ; For some reason I needed to use Unicode 'U+25CA' > ; instead of the standard alt-code '9674' > ; > ; Adapted from http://ahkscript.org/docs/commands/SetTimer.htm > ; and http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/145507-how-to-use-double-tap-backtick-with-pass-through/ > ; > #EscapeChar \ > $`:: > if winc_presses > 0 > {winc_presses += 1 > return > } > > winc_presses = 1 > SetTimer, TheKey, 250 ; Wait for more presses, in milliseconds > return > > TheKey: > SetTimer, TheKey, off > if winc_presses = 1 ; The key was pressed once. > {Send ` > } > else if winc_presses = 2 ; The key was pressed twice. > {Send {U+25CA} > } > > ; Regardless of which action above was triggered, reset the count to > ; prepare for the next series of presses: > winc_presses = 0 > return > — > Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

Yes, certainly. I'm honored to help.

Perhaps this is a DrRacket feature addition (of which I know little about), but perhaps you could create a menu item for the lozenge character and bind it to a keypress. I imagine this would be enabled through a Racket package. It could go something like... "Insert > Lozenge"

This probably isn't the answer you wanted, but if you're using Emacs, I tried to write a tiny function that inserts the lozenge character. I chose M-\ because that's the key for the lambda character in DrRacket.

;; Put this in your Emacs .init file:
;; enable lozenge for Pollen
;; ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
;; 'mule-unicode part from
;; https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html//emacs-devel/2005-03/msg01187.html
(defun insert-lozenge ()
  "inserts the lozenge character for use with Pollen"
  ;; enables function through M-x
  (interactive)
  ;; insert the proper character
  (insert (make-char
           'mule-unicode-2500-33ff 34 42)))
;; Bind key to M-\ a la DrRacket for lambda
(global-set-key "\M-\\" 'insert-lozenge)

Perhaps this is a DrRacket feature addition (of which I know little about), but perhaps you could create a menu item for the lozenge character and bind it to a keypress. I imagine this would be enabled through a Racket package. It could go something like... "Insert > Lozenge" This probably isn't the answer you wanted, but if you're using Emacs, I tried to write a tiny function that inserts the lozenge character. I chose M-\ because that's the key for the lambda character in DrRacket. <pre> ;; Put this in your Emacs .init file: ;; enable lozenge for Pollen ;; ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ ;; 'mule-unicode part from ;; https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html//emacs-devel/2005-03/msg01187.html (defun insert-lozenge () "inserts the lozenge character for use with Pollen" ;; enables function through M-x (interactive) ;; insert the proper character (insert (make-char 'mule-unicode-2500-33ff 34 42))) ;; Bind key to M-\ a la DrRacket for lambda (global-set-key "\M-\\" 'insert-lozenge)</pre>

Hmmm ... I found that this lozenge was extremely off-putting to me trying Pollen.

So I'm trying a keybinding. I created a file called keys.rkt

#lang s-exp framework/keybinding-lang

(keybinding "c:<" (λ (editor evt) (send editor insert "◊")))

and loaded it into drracket with Edit>Keybindings>Add user defined keybindings

Now I can use ctrl-shift-< to put the lozenge in.

I'm not a drracket expert so I don't know if it's possible to automatically load this keybinding into #lang pollen though.

Hmmm ... I found that this lozenge was extremely off-putting to me trying Pollen. So I'm trying a keybinding. I created a file called keys.rkt ``` #lang s-exp framework/keybinding-lang (keybinding "c:<" (λ (editor evt) (send editor insert "◊"))) ``` and loaded it into drracket with Edit>Keybindings>Add user defined keybindings Now I can use ctrl-shift-< to put the lozenge in. I'm not a drracket expert so I don't know if it's possible to automatically load this keybinding into #lang pollen though.

You can change the lozenge to anything you want by overriding the command-char for your project. Documented here.

There's a button in the DrRacket toolbar that will insert the lozenge (or whatever the command character is). I don’t think I will impose a specific keybinding since that tends to be more a matter of personal preference.

You can change the lozenge to anything you want by overriding the `command-char` for your project. [Documented here](http://docs.racket-lang.org/pollen/Setup.html#%28part._setup-overrides%29). There's a button in the DrRacket toolbar that will insert the lozenge (or whatever the command character is). I don’t think I will impose a specific keybinding since that tends to be more a matter of personal preference.

Won't changing to a custom symbol risk breaking copy / pasting between different users' code / books if one prefers not to use the lozenge?

I understand not wanting to impose specific keybinding. But it's maybe worth documenting this for drracket users, just as you're doing for emacs?

regards

Phil

Won't changing to a custom symbol risk breaking copy / pasting between different users' code / books if one prefers not to use the lozenge? I understand not wanting to impose specific keybinding. But it's maybe worth documenting this for drracket users, just as you're doing for emacs? regards Phil

Won't changing to a custom symbol risk breaking copy / pasting between different users' code / books if one prefers not to use the lozenge?

No one has reported that as a problem.

maybe worth documenting this for drracket users, just as you're doing for emacs

I will add it to the list of doc edits.

> Won't changing to a custom symbol risk breaking copy / pasting between different users' code / books if one prefers not to use the lozenge? No one has reported that as a problem. > maybe worth documenting this for drracket users, just as you're doing for emacs I will add it to the list of doc edits.

I'm so glad I finally found this thread. I've been reading Pollen docs for a couple of weeks, but I use a MacBook Pro, so the lozenge issue has been nagging me in a bad way.

I didn't really want to change the default character, as that means whatever I write isn't something that will work out of the box if I share it.

I use a utility called Karabiner to give me the lacking forward delete key (I find that I never use the right-Opt key in practice). The trouble with Karabiner is that it has a bewildering set of capabilities, and even profiles for different applications - but it's hard to understand and I don't see a way to map to an arbitrary character such as lozenge. It also might prove problematic for people who use multiple language keyboard mappings.

There aren't a lot of useless keys left on the MBP, and I didn't like the idea of re-mapping a key, as outside the context of Pollen, it makes that key useless.

What I was hoping to do was use a digraph, such as <>, that automagically converts to a lozenge in my editor - not far from the way Sublime automatically closes "(". This should not happen, of course outside of that context, for example, when writing SQL.

Perhaps there is a way to do this in Dr. Racket.

Or perhaps there is a function that will take a defined command-string "<>" and convert new occurrences and write them as ◊

I'm so glad I finally found this thread. I've been reading Pollen docs for a couple of weeks, but I use a MacBook Pro, so the lozenge issue has been nagging me in a bad way. I didn't really want to change the default character, as that means whatever I write isn't something that will work out of the box if I share it. I use a utility called [Karabiner](https://github.com/tekezo/Karabiner/) to give me the lacking forward delete key (I find that I never use the right-Opt key in practice). The trouble with Karabiner is that it has a [bewildering set of capabilities](https://github.com/tekezo/Files/tree/master/KeyRemap4MacBook), and even profiles for different applications - but it's hard to understand and I don't see a way to map to an arbitrary character such as lozenge. It also might prove problematic for people who use multiple language keyboard mappings. There aren't a lot of useless keys left on the MBP, and I didn't like the idea of re-mapping a key, as outside the context of Pollen, it makes that key useless. What I was hoping to do was use a digraph, such as <>, that automagically converts to a lozenge in my editor - not far from the way Sublime automatically closes "(". This should not happen, of course outside of that context, for example, when writing SQL. Perhaps there is a way to do this in Dr. Racket. Or perhaps there is a function that will take a defined command-_string_ "<>" and convert new occurrences and write them as ◊

Please post your question to the Pollen mailing list.

Please post your question to the [Pollen mailing list](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/pollenpub).

Labels Milestones

Towards an easier Lozenge command character on Windows #73