Welcome to the world of RICK, TRICK & SICK

CONTENTS:

        RICK overview

An Underwood mechanical typewriter, circa late 1930's. The alphabetical keys on today's keyboards are arranged in exactly the same order. Notice some of the typebars are jammed.

Objectives and research

Note: In all diagrams, keys marked are spare; the location of spare keys (if any) may differ on different keyboards. If your keyboard lacks a key to the right of the right-hand , the right function can be assigned to the Ctrl key in the lower right corner. If your keyboard lacks the full complement of seven control keys ("modifiers") along the bottom, you may have to utilize one or two of your Function (F1, F2...) or other keys. Whatever you do, don't rush out and buy a new keyboard! Many of the control functions described in this document won't work on most existing keyboards anyway (see Installation).

Caps tap key (CT) together with the left Enter key .
8. The Caps Tap key (CT) behaves like the tap function of the inversion key in the standard set-up, i.e. it causes the next letter (only) to be capitalised. It does not affect non-alphabetic keys. Capitals can be locked in with the CS key or, more conveniently, by pressing CT and Tab together.
9. As well as supplying all the punctuation symbols, the Alternative set performs the roles of Numeric set and Text control set in the standard layout.
10. Once the Alternative set is locked in, the e key becomes an alternative Enter key (to allow easier entry of numeric data). The Alternative hold bar changes its function to Right (or Left) Default hold and the CT key becomes a Default set tap key (DT).
11. The numeric array in this family is identical to the standard numeric array. This provides conformity with the RICK system as a whole, e.g. continuity with calculator and phone keypads (in the extremely unlikely event that these should ever become standardised to this system).
12. Note that in this family the key occupies a different position.   always restores the standard default set when pressed by itself (it does not yield the single-handed default).
13. The Left-handed family sets are almost mirror images of the corresponding right-handed sets. However, it's possible that a right-orientated numeric array should be provided as an option (to provide the continuity mentioned above).

MODES

"Mode" is a fuzzy concept encompassing different ways of supplying input, or using the keyboard, and different types of output. In employing this currently somewhat superfluous term, I'm assuming that computer input devices of the future will be much more integrated and sophisticated than they are now, with voice and visual inputs becoming commonplace and a variety of outputs attaining greater importance. All of these will exercise their own modes of operation, affecting at least the output mode of the keyboard.

Modes are generally a function of proprietary software: this includes software associated with calculators, telecommunications systems, games, household appliances, musical equipment, multimedia applications, security systems, machinery and a wide range of industrial systems and devices that are controlled from a keyboard - as well as plain typing!. Many currently prevalent modes (e.g. some games modes) alter both the normal input and normal output functions of the keyboard.

RICK specifies four input modes and partially specifies a small number of universally indispensable output modes - if only in relation to the method of access, and, in the case of Run mode, a few suggestions as to what is expected of the software. More than this would be unjustifiable, as it is unlikely that consideration of specialised modes would affect the design of the keyboard.

Modes are not necessarily mutually exclusive entitities, nor completely distinct from sets. A particular mode may need a particular set to operate, or a particular set may only work in a particular mode. Every keyboard task uses at least one input mode and at least one output mode. Most of the modes specified in RICK can (or should be able to) operate in any set, greatly enhancing their versatility.

The default condition of the keyboard (after turning the computer on) is Default set, Flick input mode, Normal output mode.

        1. Basic input modes

Flick mode - Characters are produced by hitting the keys one after another:   except for the Thrift keys, you can't (usefully!) hit more than one character key at once.

Remarks:

1. In the era of mechanical typewriters, you had to be sure to release each key before hitting the next - else you would end up with a type-bar jam. On a modern keyboard, you don't need to release each key before hitting the next. However, if you try to hit two character keys at once both will print, but you can't predict which will come first.
2. Flick mode is the default input mode because casual users would be likely to make errors if the keyboard were set to Swipe mode. Some touch-typists may also prefer Flick mode, although Swipe mode has been designed to minimise error when touch-typing.
3. It is assumed that the word processing program being used will produce essential enhancements, such as two spaces and capitalisation following a full stop when doing straight typing.
4. As in other modes that use alphabetical arrays, the Thrift keys facility is automatically available in Flick mode,.

Swipe mode - When this mode is engaged, two or more keys can be actuated simultaneously to create "syllables", or small sequences of letters, numbers or punctuation signs, produced in one "swipe". Keys pressed together like this are usually called "chords".

Both hands can take part in a swipe, so typically a sequence created in this way comprises one or more consonants followed by one or more vowels. The order in which the characters appear is predetermined. With the single exception of the letter x, consonants appear first, then vowels and the pseudo-vowel y, and punctuation last. In general, this means that left-hand characters take priority over right-hand characters. Within the left hand, the priority order tends to be from left to right, while in the right hand it tends to be from right to left (i.e. small finger towards forefinger in both hands). One of the reasons for this arrangement is that fewer typing errors will occur (see What does "simultaneous" mean?). Some common "out-of-order" letters include p and h, which are higher up the priority scale than their positions on the keyboard suggest. The standard priority order for alphabeticals is as follows:

s n f b c d j m p t q g w h r l z v k i o e a u x y        [m b]

In other words, if you press several alphabetic keys simultaneously, the letters will be output in the same order as they appear in this list. This order is particularly appropriate for the main Romance languages (Italian, Portugese, Spanish) in which the majority of words end in vowels. However,the order can be modified to suit different languages (e.g. in German h would be better placed before t).

For the meaning of see Remark no. 6 below. The little group [m b] indicates that when you swipe b and m the output order is reversed.

The main rule for punctuation is that  ,   .   !   ?  precede   '  and   "  . The order for symbols is unsettled, except that < precedes / , and maths operators precede = .  Most symbols are typed individually.

The standard order can be overridden (using a software feature) to allow swipe-typing of common sequences that do not comply with the order. In English this is generally only feasible for groups that end in a space, e.g. tion  , her  , rt  , n't  (all including the terminating space!). There is also provision for changing the normal order provided the group is immediately preceded by a space, i.e. the group is a word. Examples are   it , at , if , of , an , in , and , for , you , your , when , their  (again, all including the terminating space). Beware of using consonants whose keys represent Thrift letters: for example, you can't have give or come. Fortunately these words are easily typed as [gi][ve ] and [co][me ].

Remarks:

1. Note that the operation of Swipe mode complies with the RICK Graduation principle. When you turn it on, you don't have to do anything differently to what you were doing in Flick mode; you can continue to type "normally". You can use as few or as many kinds of swipe as you like.
2. Swipe mode is engaged by pressing MS along with the "f" key (which stands for Flick mode in the TRICK system).
3. You can't include characters from two different sets in one Swipe. If the Inversion key takes part in a Swipe, the inversion takes effect on all the other keys in the Swipe.
4. If two keys representing a pair of Thrift keys are included in a swipe, the Thrift character corresponding to that pair will be produced. The priority order for Thrift characters is the same as their priority order when typed with individual keys. So, for example, if you swipe cmw the output will be ck, not kc, wx or xw. You can also type mw and k together to get kk, which may be useful in some Scandinavian languages.
5. Note that two control keys can be pressed simultaneously to produce a result regardless of whether the Swipe mode is engaged (see Control keys).
6. If Swipe mode has been selected, pressing the Default set restore key does not restore Flick mode.
7. : In the Default set the IS key has a special function in Swipe mode, provided the selected language is English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. When tapped (by the right thumb) this key yields s space. When pressed simultaneously with any other key(s), the output from this key comes last. If followed by punctuation, the punctuation is inserted between the s and the space. This feature is called trailing-s (and is used for other letters as well in TRICK). If the selected language is German, trailing-s is replaced by trailing-n . If customised noncompliant sequences like -tion-space (see above) are available, they can also be used with trailing-s, by including the IS key in the swipe instead of the space bar. If the Inverse (complementary) set needs to be locked in, press MS along with the "k" key.

What does "simultaneous" mean?

It is not possible to actuate several keys all at exactly the same time. When a group of keys is swiped, their switches will actually operate within a small interval. The size of this interval depends on a number of factors such as the experience of the operator, the inertia of the keys and the positions of the keys involved in the swipe - especially if both hands are involved. Its size may vary from about 0.02 seconds up to 0.1 seconds (research on this subject has been done by L.G. Malt, 1977). Although this is generally a much smaller time-span than that between successive keystrokes, the system must be organised to minimise any possibility of confusion, otherwise the letters may not be produced in the intended order. As far as possible, RICK is configured so that when common sequences of letters are swiped the order in which the keys are actually hit is likely to be the same as the priority order, i.e. the same order as they would have been typed if they had been deliberately typed separately. (This is partly a function of training, as it is advocated that initially the keys should be "strummed" in the correct order rather than trying to hit them exactly together.) But in addition to this safeguard it should be possible to "tune" the keyboard, i.e. to adjust the interval that counts as being "simultaneous". A blanket adjustment applying to all keys may be sufficient, or the adjustment could be scaled to take account of position, e.g. distance between keys and whether the keys are in the same or different halves of the keyboard. More fussily, it could be made possible to tweak individual keys separately. However, all this may be unnecessary; unfortunately, as far as I'm aware, the degree of sophistication required here is unknown.

Quasi-Trick mode - enables the keyboard to be used more or less like a TRICK keyboard (see below), i.e. as if a number of keys did not exist. Apart from the the "non-ergonomic" physical profile, the configuration of the finger-operated keys in each set is the same as for TRICK. However, since RICK lacks the array of thumb-operated control keys present in TRICK, many control functions are relegated to RICK's control keys at the edges of the keyboard.

Little need be said about this mode as it would only be used if TRICK itself became an established system. On the other hand, one way that TRICK might be popularised is by graduating to Quasi-Trick, which is an easy step on the RICK keyboard (via the Thrift keys feature).

Since the Default set of TRICK "nests" inside the RICK Default set, the keyboard can still be operated like RICK as regards all Default characters and all capital letters.

Significant keys in Quasi-Trick mode



The principal sets and functions of the control keys are described in the TRICK Summary Overview below. The trailing d, n, r and l functions of TRICK are absent from the Quasi-Trick mode of RICK . To engage this mode press MS (M) along with the "q" key. Note that the key restores the standard default set when pressed by itself (it does not yield the Quasi-Trick default).

Locator mode - This is a future-looking mode that has no use until the mouse disappears from the scene, as it inevitably must. The mouse will vanish because it takes your hands away from the keyboard and, along with the pad on which it sits, creates extra garbage on your desk. Therefore the functions currently performed by the mouse must somehow be engineered into the keyboard zone. My guess is that the keyboard (or part of it) will become flatter and smoother and responsive to finger movements or, possibly, to movements of small gadgets attached to the fingers. The technology incorporated in the recently released Fingerworks Touchstream ® system appears to be very promising. (The main problem with this system as it stands is over-indulgence!) More recently (2007), and much more successfully, the Apple iPhone® uses touch-screen technology which (under certain conditions) can even predict which "key" you're about to hit, making it easier for you to do so by enlarging it. Whatever the basic technology, I would expect a clear-cut distinction between "mouse-like" or "locator" operations and keyboard (typing) operations. Hence the need for a readily accessible Locator mode key (LM) to toggle between keyboard and Locator functions. This key could be held down for temporary access, or tapped to lock in the Locator mode. Tapping it again would revert to the original mode. For further information see Trick.


        2. Principal output modes

Normal mode - this is a somewhat meaningles term as it covers a multitude of activities that you can do from the keyboard as soon as you turn on your computer. It's easier to understand Normal output negatively: it just means that no specific output mode, like those for which RICK provides quick access keys, has been selected. Normal mode is used predominantly for typing documents of all kinds.

Phone mode - used with pre-selected proprietary software for whatever telecommunications purposes the software facilitates.

Remarks:

For phone dialling this mode can be used with any set that contains a numeric array. This mode is accessed by holding down the Mode/set selection key (MS) and then tapping the "p" key; this combination would normally be encoded to initiate the specified program and engage the Numeric set, if the current set lacks a numeric array. In all numeric arrays * and # are located immediately before the numerals and are used for their normal telecommunications tasks. Some of the alphabetical keys could be allocated to specific memories, or, more usefully, all the alphabeticals could be used for typing names in order to recover phone numbers etc. from a directory.

Web mode - This provides instant access to the internet and modifies input and output devices to enable browsing etc. The functions of this mode will depend on the software employed for browsing, email and other internet activities. In the future this mode will also include a modified locator mode. Web mode is accessed by holding down the Mode/set selection key (MS) and then tapping the "w" key.

Run mode - used with pre-selected proprietary software for whatever calculating, accounting or programming purposes the software facilitates. A specified "language" will be invoked and the VDU screen, or a part of it, will represent the file in which the operations are recorded.

The primary role of this mode is as a calculator. Its broader role is to enable the user to create and run short programs and to run longer programs saved in compatible text files. In view of these roles, RICK has certain expectations as to what the associated software should achieve, so that operations in Run mode form a seamless system.

Initial remarks:

1. This mode is engaged by holding down the (MS) key then tapping the "r" key.
2. The usual functions of the symbols for calculating purposes are: + addition, - subtraction, * multiplication, / division, ^ power function, . decimal point. (However, ^ might be needed as a Boolean operator, if the scheme outlined below is adopted). The advocated use for = is assignment - that's why it has been included in the Numeric set. The "pocket calculator" job for = is done by the Enter key. Pressing the Enter key should give (at least) the result of a calculation or (in computer jargon) "the value of an expression". The assignment function of = is explained below.

Expectations:

The way that maths programs or calculators work is really no business of the RICK system, but once you go beyond the simple calculator (like the one that pops up in MS Windows), symbology becomes important. And the most important symbol (though by no means the most frequently used) is unquestionably the assignment sign. Purely as a diversion and as a hypothetical example, let's look at how RICK could support a simple language that would give the mundane calculator a considerable boost. Let's call this hypothetical language "Smoothly" and let's asume that there exists some software that speaks Smoothly and does the jobs described. Keep one eye on the Numeric set layout as we go along, and you'll see how easy it is. I'll try to explain things in "pocket calculator" language together with rough translations into low-level computer jargon.

1. First, straightforward arithmetical calculations are done just as you would on a calculator. For example. to find the result of 35 plus 77, type 35+77 and press the Enter key (). But you can also do longer calculations which are often quite cumbersome on a pocket calculator, but possible on a scientific calculator, e.g. 21*35+77/3-6^2, or by using the Inversion key you can include brackets, as in (6+15)/(19-3*5). The formula you've typed will stay on screen, so you can check what you've done. (The problem with most scientific calculators is that they don't keep a record of the steps in the calculation, so you have to do every calculation at least twice to check it.)

2. Now for assignment. To begin with, it might help to think of all the alphabetical keys as being little memories (although this is far from the truth). = is used mainly to put numbers in these memories, or, in computer lingo, to assign values to variables (variables being the letters that identify the memories). So if you type a=149 and press 

(It is suggested that any operation involving  be one that repeats or reconfirms if the keys are pressed again.)

   

COSMETICS

Essential keyface symbols



Complementary set characters coloured purple occur in the Numeric set. All other Numeric set symbols are taken from the Default set.
Other coloured symbols are principal Text control set functions.

Lucid keyface labelling is always going to be a problem. Back in the late 1970's, when I was working on the TRICK system, one of my colleagues in agriculture, Dr A.K. Sheridan, suggested using LCD labelling, so that the labels on the keys would change every time you changed sets. If I remember rightly he applied for an Australian patent for the idea. I'm aware that many others have had the same thoughts, and presumably it is only costs that have prevented the concept being brought to life. Certainly, a feature like this would be extremely useful for RICK, where several sets are in frequent use - even more useful for the idealised version of the system with its specialised set families.

Operating tips

These tips apply equally in RICK and SICK.

Always utilise the features of your word-processing software. When typing lots of plain text, set the full-stop key so that it types a full-stop, two spaces and capitalises the next alphabetical.

Use Macros for frequently occurring phrases.

When faced with having to frequently type an awkward combination of characters, either put it in a macro or, instead of typing the combination, replace it with a convenient single character that is not used in your script, then get the Find/replace feature of your word-processing software to change all occurrences of the character back to the original combination. Even in RICK this problem may occur. One or two instances  come to mind when writing 

INSTALLATION

Requirements
 
These instructions are for installation in MS Windows (95, 98 or NT)

An abridged version of the RICK system can be installed as software on almost any currently available keyboard. However, on most, if not all, existing keyboards, even abridged versions will not operate entirely as intended. Modifications in the hard-wiring of the keyboard are presumably required to enable all control keys to function correctly. Also, both the installation software and the functions inherent in Windows software may be limiting.

You'll need a standard keyboard having at least the keys which, on SICK, begin with the number 1 in the top left corner and end with the Ctrl key in the bottom right corner. The preferred keyboard has seven control keys/modifiers/"hotkeys" in line with the space bar, a square rather than an oblong backspace key and (more importantly) a rectangular rather than an L-shaped Enter key, so that the top row will have a key between the +/= key and the backspace, and the second row will have 14 keys including the Tab. The correct layout also has a key to the right of the right Shift key; this is uncommon on desktop keyboards but quite common on laptops, though whether it can be programmed to perform the required job is another matter. The key arrangement can also be split a little to the left of centre, which is the normal split position on ergonomically shaped keyboards.

You should be able to find a suitable keyboard re-mapping program on the internet. The trouble is there are a number of entirely unsuitable ones. Some programs simply allow you to change the arrangement of the characters and confine you to operating in the same sets, physically speaking, as Qwerty. You need to find a program that's completely flexible as to the number of sets you can have and what the control keys are allowed to do. The best low-cost remapper I've come across is shareware called D-System Keyboard Remapper for Win95/98/NT, the creation of Daniel Marczisovszky and Peter Szabolcs. (Actually I think it's now called the dev-labs system, but I'll continue to refer to it as D-System). Apart from its flexibility, it was, until recently, regularly being upgraded, so it is relatively free from bugs. No special installation is needed - you only have to download and unzip the files and then run the .exe file. It also has the distinct advantage that you can have two different keyboard layouts mounted at once (as well as your SICK layout), and you can flip from one to the other, or back to SICK, just by pressing a key. On the other hand, this remapper doesn't allow both hold and tap functions on any key except Caps Lock and, as far as I can see, it doesn't allow sets to be locked in place with any key except the Caps Lock. The ability to flip to another layout is therefore vital, as this can be used to simulate a set locking key. Another drawback with D-System is that you have to remap the keys for every set separately - you can't copy a set into an empty remapping area and then modify it, which would save a lot of time. A more powerful remapper than D-System is Go Keys, which seems to work in much the same way but allows several layouts to be installed at once, again with the ability to flip between layouts. Unfortunately Go Keys comes with a $79 US price tag.

To get an idea of how you're going to get on with RICK, you'll need to install a minimalist version which, I'd suggest, should comprise the Default, Complementary and Num/Caps sets, the inverse of the Num/Caps set and, if possible, the main functions of the Text Control set. The only input mode that will work will be Flick mode, and probably the only output mode you will need will be Normal mode, although you might be able to program a key to initiate a calculator of some kind, simulating Run mode).

I had not intended to describe aspects of installation/remapping that are a concern of the remapping software, as of course this will depend on the particular software used. However, the instructions for D-System are surprisingly hard to follow, so it might be helpful to go through the main steps. One thing you'll find in D-System is a request for a small donation, which is quite usual with shareware: I'd suggest you try it out before registering.

Installing an abridged version of RICK with the D-System remapper

The procedure described below is for installing on keyboards without Win and Apps keys - you only need to have two Ctrl keys and two Alt keys in line with the space bar. (NB: With D-System remapper, having Win and Apps doesn't help greatly, as they apparently can't be made to function as set-lock keys, nor can you safely assign hotkey functions to Win and Apps. But see crazy suggestions below.)

If you have got (or can get) the Windows StickyKeys accessibility feature installed, read the additional instructions in red. This will enable a slightly better version of RICK to be installed.

It's assumed you've downloaded and unzipped the remapper files into a folder named kr089r2 (or something like that). Before opening the remapper, make sure you have printed copies of the Default, Complementary and Num/Caps sets, and the inverse of the Num/Caps set, shown here:



Also print out the procedure below, including the Text Control diagram (as the diagram given in the description of multifunctional sets is unsuitable).

1. Open Keyboard.exe
2. On the taskbar click on Help > Contents and read Features and Designing a Keyboard Layout
3. On the taskbar click on Preferences > Keyboard layout (not 'Layout'). Select the keyboard that most closely matches yours.
4. On the taskbar click on Preferences > Layout > General tab: Insert names for layouts 1 and 2, e.g. rick1.k, rick2.k. Tick "Caps lock change" box and Start up status = Layout 1. (A tick in the 'Caps Lock Change' box means you can use the Caps Lock as a hold as well as a tap key. When the key is held down, it gives temporary access to Layout 2 from Layout 1, and vice-versa. If you follow the rest of this procedure, this will give temporary access to Text Control functions.) NB - in steps 4-7 make sure no boxes are ticked except those indicated.
5. Hotkeys tab: In 'De-activate' highlight 'None' and press the Esc key on your keyboard': the word 'Esc' should now have been substituted for 'None'. This will make Esc the key that will toggle between SICK and RICK. In 'Activate' do the same. In 'Toggle' tick the 'Right Ctrl' box. This will make Right Ctrl the key that will toggle between layout 1 and layout 2, which, if you follow the rest of this procedure, will act as the Text Control set lock. Unfortunately the Right Ctrl will not also act as a Text Control hold key, but, as noted above, you'll be able to use the Caps Lock for this.
6. Layout 1 tab: Tick the boxes for 'Disable Right Alt', 'Disable Right Ctrl', 'Disable Right Win' and 'Left Shift = Right Shift'.
7. Layout 2 tab: Same. Click on 'OK'
8. On the lower panel ensure no boxes are ticked in the 'Modifiers' tab. Click on the 'ASCII' tab. Create the layout of the Default set. To do this, drag the required characters from the lower panel onto the appropriate keys of the virtual keyboard. If you make a mistake, either drag the correct character over the top of the incorrect one, or right-click the key and click the 'empty key' box. Click 'Save' now and then to ensure work is not wasted (as there is no automatic background saving). NB: Depending on your keyboard design, you may be missing the key to put either the '/' or the '=' sign. The Backspace key could be used instead, but if you don't want to remap your Backspace key, I'd suggest putting the '/' or '=' sign on the F12 or Insert key instead. (This is if you don't want to bother constructing the Text Control set. In any case, it helps to have a Backspace mapped so you can use it during the design process, so if your original Backspace key has been remapped, I'd suggest mapping one onto another key, e.g. F12. You can drag a Backspace from the 'Special Keys' tab).
9. To test the layout, click the activate button (2 green arrows) and the refresh button (red down-arrow) and click on the 'Test here' panel. Type some characters to see if its working OK. If you've re-mapped the Backspace and Delete keys and have not created a new Backspace, you won't (yet) be able to delete these test characters whilst the new layout is active, so click the De-activate button (red 'end of speed limit' sign) and then use Backspace.
10. On the 'Modifiers' tab, tick the Left or Right Shift box (the other Shift should be automatically selected if you did Step 6 right). Click on the 'ASCII' tab. Do the drag and drop procedure (Step 8) for the Complementary set layout.
11. To test the layout, re-activate/refresh and test as in Step 9 with a Shift key depressed.
12. On the 'Modifiers' tab, untick the Shift box and tick the Caps Lock box. Click on the 'ASCII' tab. Do the drag and drop procedure for the Num/Caps set layout.
13. To test the layout, re-activate/refresh and test as in Step 9 after pressing the Caps Lock key (observe green indicator to confirm Caps Lock is on).
14. On the 'Modifiers' tab, tick the Left or Right Shift box and keep the Caps Lock box ticked. Click on the 'ASCII' tab. Do the drag and drop procedure for the Num/Caps Inverse set layout.
15. To test the layout, re-activate and test as in Step 9 after pressing the Caps Lock key and with a Shift key depressed.
16. Before installing an abridged Text Control set, some macros are needed. If you don't want to bother with text control functions, go to Step 21.
17. On the task bar click on Editors > Macros. For each macro you'll need a name not more than 4-5 characters long, if you want it to fit on a key of the virtual keyboard. The macro editor is straightforward: type the name and macro where indicated and then click 'Add'. On completion you can click 'Save' to save them in a separate file if you want (not essential, as they will be automatically saved with the keyboard layout). The basic macros needed are:

        Name                         Short name*     Macro script
        Word-left                     WdL                    {LCtrl+Left}
        Delete word-left          DWdL                 {LCtrl+Back}
        Paragraph-up             ParU                   {LCtrl+Up}
        Paragraph-down        ParD                   {LCtrl+Down}
        True page-up              TPgU                  {LCtrl+PgUp}
        True page-down         TPgD                  {LCtrl+PgDn}
        Start of document       DocS                  {LCtrl+Home}
        End of document        DocE                  {LCtrl+End}
        (*These are the names I've used in the diagram below)

You can add text selection macros if you wish. Eight of these are formed by inserting
'+Shift' after 'LCtrl' in the above, and eight more by replacing 'LCtrl' by 'Shift'.
18. The Text Control set will be installed in Layout 2. Exit macro editor and click on the (2) button in the task bar. Click on the 'Special characters' tab. Drag the functions coloured red from the list to the keys indicated in the diagram:



19. Click on the 'Macros' tab. Drag the functions coloured blue from the macro list to the keys indicated in the diagram. To test the layout, re-activate/refresh and test as in Step 9. (Note the Scroll functions will not work as intended. For this version, Page Up and Page Down have been substituted.)
20. Unfortunately this set must be entered twice. Click on the Modifiers tab and tick 'Caps Lock' box. Repeat Steps 18-19. To test the layout, re-activate/refresh and test as in Step 9 after pressing the Caps Lock key.
21. If you need some accents/diacritical marks, look up the stuff about Dead keys in Help.
22. Finally make sure the Mini-keyboard is working properly: it should normally appear in the bottom righthand corner of your screen. If it doesn't, go to your kr089r2 folder and click on Mini-keyboard.exe. This should fix it. If not, read Help section on Mini-keyboard, adjust settings in Preferences > Mini-keyboard and change the icons, if you want, in Preferences > Layout > Icons.
23. If you have access to the Windows StickyKeys feature: Look up 'sticky' in Windows Help to find out whether you've got StickyKeys, and, if not, how to install it. If you know you've got it, go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Accessibility Options. Click General tab in Accessibility Properties and un-tick the box marked "Turn off accessibility features after...". Click the Keyboard tab and tick the "Use StickyKeys" box. Click Settings (in StickyKeys panel) and un-tick every box. Be sure the 'Press modifier key twice to lock' box is un-ticked. Click both OK buttons when leaving.

Remarks:

1. Note these versions don't include any mode keys or the Default Restore key.
2. For Word shortcuts such as Ctrl C, use the Left Ctrl key and the original (Qwerty) "c" key, which is the "m" key in RICK.
3. Sometimes you might have trouble with the 1/2 hotkey and/or the De-activate hotkey, whether or not you put it on the same key as Activate. Try a different key. If Stickykeys is operational, you might have to disengage it. Note you can also Activate and De-activate by clicking the Mini-keyboard icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. It's easy to get in a tangle with the Caps Lock LED and other LEDs. I'd suggest not to fiddle with the LED status settings.
5. Setting the StickyKeys feature as prescribed will enable the Inversion key to simulate the Tap function that it's meant to have (see Control keys table). If you tap it once, the next character (only) will come from the inverse set. But you will not get the niceties of skipping spaces and quotation marks. (For this, you could experiment with Word's ability to re-map the full-stop as e.g. "full-stop, double space, capitalise next letter".) Unfortunately, on the keyboards I've tested, this setting comes at the expense of having to tap the 1/2 hotkey (Right Ctrl) twice to ensure that it will operate consistently. (If you have a Right Win key, you could try making this the hotkey, but on keyboards I've tested it won't work, at least not while StickyKeys is operational. Also note the StickyKeys lock function ('press modifier twice to lock') doesn't work consistently with D-System installations.)

Possible snags with hardware

Here are some possible problems you might encounter due to the limitations of the keyboard itself. (No. 3 and possibly 4 won't worry you if you've used the above installation procedure.)
1. On some older keyboards the Caps Lock key may only operate on the alphabetical keys. Since the alphabeticals in the RICK layout are in different positions to the Qwerty layout, the Caps lock key will then be useless.
2. The left and right Ctrl keys may not be independently wired - same with the left and right Alt keys. If so, you won't be able to program them independently.
3. The Ctrl and Alt keys are apparently unable to perform a locking function (like Caps lock) - they can only function as "hold" keys. (This could be due to hard-wiring or to limitations of the remapper.) This also applies to the Win keys, but if you tap a Win key the next character (only) will come from the Win set (i.e. assuming the original Win function has been disabled and a character set has been composed with the relevant Win modifier box ticked). If you set StickyKeys as described in #23 above, the Shift, Alt and Ctrl keys will also behave like this. You will still get the hold function on Shift, but Alt and Ctrl tend to behave erratically. If the worst comes to the worst, and you want Alt and/or Ctrl to act as set locks, you could try keeping them held down with clips of some sort - old-style clothes pegs (wooden with springs) might do, or even a bit of "Blu-Tack". Test this idea first, though. On some keyboards, Ctrl and Alt object to being held down for more than one character.
4. Text control keys (like Backspace) might not be convertible to character keys, and vice versa. Their performance might become erratic or slow. Test them as soon as you can, and if they don't behave well, try to keep your original SICK backspace and delete keys.

Don't forget you can re-program all the function keys (F1-F12), depending on what you want them to do and whether re-programming will interfere with existing uses of these keys. (Personally I only use about three of them, in connection with MS Word).

As noted, with the D-System remapper you can extract the Text Con (hold) function out of the Caps lock key, but with other remappers you might have to use the left Ctrl key instead.

TRICK combines most of the features of RICK in a more compressed, ergonomic configuration. This is intended to improve typing pace and portability, but at the expense of poorer accessibility: TRICK is definitely a system that requires an initial input of time and effort to learn how to use it and acquire proficiency. However, if a would-be TRICK artist has advanced through Thrift keys, Swipe mode and Quasi-Trick in the RICK system, 95% of the work will have been done and life should be a breeze.

The main surface of the TRICK keyboard is essentially flat and the keys (or touch-pad zones) are operated by a fairly light touch of the fingers. However, the thumb-keys are slightly stepped. The flat surface anticipates technologies, only now beginning to become available, that will eliminate the need for a mouse and mouse-pad. It is proposed to use the right-hand half of the surface of the keyboard itself as the "mouse-pad", although there will probably be no mouse as such (consequently I'm calling "mouse operations" Locator functions). Hopefully you will only need to use a finger or two. When in locator mode, the left hand will operate keys to modify the functions of the Locator (e.g. clicks, select, drag etc, although the right-hand fingers may be able to achieve some of these functions - it depends what techniques will turn out to be most fool-proof). The advantage of all this, of course, is that you will never need to move your hands from the keyboard.

TRICK eliminates the entire top row of keys as well as some keys in other rows, and most control functions are allotted to thumb-keys. The entire array of 30 finger-operated keys and 12 thumb-operated keys is arranged in a symmetrical, ergonomic profile, very roughly represented below.



The main factors enabling this format to be achieved are an increase in the number of character sets and the allocation of the "rare" alphabeticals (k, x, j, qu and z) to double keys, i.e. two keys must be pressed simultaneously to produce each letter. These keys, and the letters they produce, are called Thrift keys (and characters). The Thrift keys are allocated in such a way that the "swipes" capability is not compromised: in fact if anything it is improved. (TRICK is invariably used in Swipe mode. See remarks about Thrift keys and Swipe mode in the RICK description).

Thrift characters and keys to which they are assigned

j = gv
qu = bg
z = fc
k = mw
x = cm
q = cw (cannot be combined with other letters in swipes)

CONTROL KEY ARRAY AND THUMB-OPERATED CHARACTERS

Sp: Space
: Enter
M: Mode/set lock (hold) - All locked modes and sets (see below)
L: Locator mode (tap/hold)
T: Text control set (hold)
C: Caps set (tap /hold)
N: Numeric set 1* (hold)
S: Symbols set (hold)
V: Word/phrase set (tap/hold)
: Default set restore (tap), keyboard guide (with "b" key)
S, N, D, R, L: Trailing-s, -n, -d, -r, -l  
*A favoured style of numeric set can be pre-arranged using a menu or icons

Remarks:

1. The Tap function of C works like that of the Inverse key in RICK. Alternatively C can be tapped simultaneously with a letter key or group of letters, when it will modify only the first (priority order) letter in the group.
2. V works similarly to C. It yields words or phrases that have been programmed into any of the character keys.
3. To produce Enter, ( must be tapped by itself.
4. M, N and S must be held down before pressing another key to produce their respective control functions.
5. When  , M, S or the right-hand N key is swiped with other alphabetical keys, the trailing consonant s, n, r, l  or d is produced,  following similar rules as in the case of trailing-s in RICK swipe mode. If y is included in the swipe it is appended to the trailing consonant. If a normal l is included in a swipe with a trailing-l (or -ly), a trailing double l (or -lly) is produced.
6. Although t is a common trailing consonant, as such it is quite well accommodated by other rules (a special key is not needed - see RICK swipe mode).
7. The text control hold key, T, can be worked by the right hand if necessary.
8. Although most, if not all, finger-operated keys can be reached whilst holding down any key operated by a thumb of the same hand, the recommended method for temporarily changing sets is to use the thumb of the other hand, as this will minimise the possibility of conflict with the procedure for producing "trailing" letters.
9. Locked sets and modes are produced by holding down the M key and then tapping a left-hand consonant key (or more than one key for less common sets and modes). M can also be held down with the a, e, i, and h keys to produce other functions. The relevant consonant keys for the commonest sets and modes are as follows (NB: the letters designate the keys; the response is the same in every set and mode):

c  Caps set lock
n  Numeric set lock
s  Symbols set lock
t  Text control set lock
d  Dual numeric (data entry) set lock
v  Vocabulary (words and phrases) set lock
m  Macros and miscellaneous functions set lock

f  Flick/swipe mode toggle
l  Locator/keyboard mode toggle
r  Run mode lock
p  Phone mode lock
w  Web (internet) mode lock

a, e, i, h  Left and right Alt and Ctrl


COMMON SETS


  Symbols set

Remarks:
1. In this set, the symbols set and other related sets, the right-hand C key becomes the + key.
2. In numeric sets the decimal point occupies the right-hand N key.

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