How to use ThubmsUp! keyboard: Numbers and F-Keys

 

Updated: Nov 12

In the previous posts the QWERTY and navigation/editing layers were described. This one covers the numbers and F-Keys.

 

Default layout provides two ways of entering the numbers:

- using the numbers and F-keys layer that is activated with two thumbs holding CURSOR L and CURSOR R keys

- with NUMPAD layer which is turned on and off with TAB+C

 

 

The Numbers and F-Keys Layer

 

This layer works pretty much the same way as with the regular keyboards:

The top row got numbers from 1 through 9 and 0. Functional keys are located on the home row, with F11 and F12 spilling out on the bottom row.

 

(Additional Shift and Alt modifiers were left in this layer for historical reasons, when this layout was used with Let's Split and Dactyl-Manuform keyboards. They were and may be still handy to have there, even I rarely use them nowadays.)

 

The standard modifiers work the same way as usual, so one or both thumbs can press CURSOR L (or R) with Shift simultaneously.

Note that the Backspace key in the top right corner works as Backspace, which is a convenient way of removing the last entered symbols. Dot, comma, slash, angle brackets are also in their usual places, so the dates, decimal values could be entered without lifting the thumbs.

The same idea with the parenthesis, square and curly brackets, and the quotes. You may press and hold Tab without lifting the thumbs, so the "extra right" layer is turned on, like below. Once Tab is released (and provided the thumbs are still pressing CURSOR L and CURSOR R keys) you will be back to the numbers.

 

 

 

NUMPAD Layer

 

The numbers layer is convenient for a relatively short string of numbers. When you need to type multiple numbers, or if you need to trace them on a paper page, the number pad may be better.

The number pad layer is turned on with Tab+C, it remains on until you press Tab+C again (or until the keyboard is reconnected):

 

 

 

With this layer on the right side of the keyboard works as a numpad on the regular keyboards. Most of the keys on the left half are not doing anything, hence the picture above shows no legend for them.

Note that the navigation layers and the "extra-right" layers can be used the same way as with QWERTY layer. That is there is no need to switch to QWERTY layer in order to use the cursor navigation keys. Just hold CURSOR R down to temporarily switch to this navigation layer (notice the Back Space works as Delete.) Once thumb is lifted you will be back in the NUMPAD mode.

 

This way you may enter numbers or dates in Excel with one hand without moving it much.

To return to QWERTY mode - hit Tab+C again.