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Repeating Keys
On a standard keyboard, when you hold down a key it generates a repeating character. To
repeat characters in the same way on the Twiddler, press and release a key or chord and
then quickly press and hold down the same key or chord. When you do this the desired
character will repeat as long as the key or chord is held down. The repeat delay is set in the
Twiddler Configurator on the Config Tab.
Key Notation
This user’s guide and Twiddler Configurator uses a special notation to show you how to
type each character and command with a factory-preset chord. As you face Twiddler’s
twelve-key layout, you will find four keys (labeled SP, DEL, BS, and ENT) arranged in a column
on the left. This column is designated “L”. The four keys in the middle column (E, F, G, H) are
referred to as “M”. And the four keys on the right (A, B, C, D) are designated “R”.
Each unique chord is defined by a four-symbol sequence indicating which key is pressed
in each of the four rows ordered from top to bottom. If no key needs to be pressed in a
particular row, a zero (0) in the sequence will indicate that. Remember that the first symbol
in the chord notation refers to a key in the top row pressed by your index finger, the second
symbol to a key in the second row assigned to your middle finger, the third symbol to a key
in the third row pressed by your ring finger, and the fourth symbol to a key in the bottom row
reached by your little finger.
For example, to type a lowercase letter “a”, your index finger must press and release the key
at the right end of the top row, while no other keys need to be pressed in the next three rows.
So, the notation for “a” is ROOO.
Each of your fingers are assigned to a specific row of three keys
across. Your index finger presses the keys marked A, E, and SP
(space) in the first or top row. Use your middle finger to press B, F,
and DEL (delete) in the second row. Your third (ring) finger is for the
C, G, and BS (backspace) keys in the third row. And your little finger
(pinkie) is in position for the keys in the fourth or bottom row-D, H,
and ENT (enter). Press and release any of these keys singly to type
the charac ter or command with which the top of the key is labeled.
Chords
The Twiddler does not register a keystroke until you release a key
or keys. For example, when you press the “A” key on the Twiddler
and hold it down, nothing happens. But when you release the “A”
key, a lowercase letter “A” appears on the screen. When you press a
group of keys as a chord, its assigned character does not appear
on the screen (or its assigned command is not issued) until you
release at least one of the chord’s keys. Because characters are
generated by the release rather than the initial press of a key, you
do not have to worry about whether you have pressed all the keys
in a chord at exactly the same instant.
