Programmer-Béop

Ergonomic keyboard layout based on Bépo. This layout focuses on seamless integration of french, english and programming.

Installation

XKB Install

Instalation for XKB for Xorg.

Copy content of xkb folder in your $HOME directory.

Run the following script for using the layout.

#!/bin/sh

setxkbmap -I $HOME/.xkb prbeop-fren -print | xkbcomp -I$HOME/.xkb - $DISPLAY 2> /dev/null
xmodmap $HOME/.xkb/xmodmap 2> $HOME/i3-keyboard-log
exit 0

OSX Install

The OSX folder contains a Ukulele layout and a Karabiner config

Rationale

The bepo layout is great for french word processing and long text entry, but it does not correspond to all computer uses. I mostly use my keyboard for programming, system administration and english writing.

I moved common english letters and specific keys, not often used in natural language (braces { and }, brackets [ and ], chevrons < and >) to more accessible positions.

Usage

This layout makes extensive use of modifiers to access the keys often used on the most accessible positions.

In particular,

• Keys used in programming (#, $, <>, [], {}, !, …) are more accessible and pairs are grouped.
• Facilitate rolling on common vowel groups for french (au, eu, ou, ai, ei, oi, ie…).
• Easier access to typographic characters: (‘, «, », “, ”, …, ·)
• Some dead keys are used in programming and in language like ~ or ` and have both the modifier and the standalone character.
• Modifier for monetary symbols (¤ + l = £, ¤ + b = ₿, etc) and greek (μ + a = α, μ + l = λ, …).

Modifiers

The modifier set up is not included in the layout and can be software dependent but I try to use

• Ctrl key in place of Alt (like in OSX) for easier shortcuts.
• Symmetrical AltGr (or mod key for characters like <> and []).
• A right modifier for window manager shortcuts (eg i3).
• Caps Lock is remaped to a new modifier (eg Hyper) for custom shortcuts in editors: Emacs can use four different modifiers (C, M, H, S)