I am dysgraphic and use a keyboard for input as much as possible. I am taking a math class that has a lot of text mixed in with a lot of math symbols. I would love to be able to use my microsoft surface with a keyboard to type out symbols like ∈ and ∀.

I had the idea that I could use a customizable on screen keyboard. Does anyone know of a way to do that?

  • Flagstaff@programming.devEnglish
    2·
    21 hours ago

    If Surfaces can install it (a quick search suggests that it can), you can use AutoHotkey to build your own GUI/popup window of an adjustable list of all of these nonstandard characters. Think of it like a customizable charmap only showing the ones you wanna see in your specified order.

    Alternatively, you could use AutoHotkey to map Alt+Shift+E or whatever you want to instantly spit out ∈, etc.

    I’d be happy to help you further in !ahk@programming.dev.

    • LostAndSmelly@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      20 hours ago

      I think this might be exactly what I was looking for. I just got started with it and there’s a lot to cover.

  • slazer2au@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    1 day ago

    Do you know about windows ALT codes?

    You can use them to type non regular symbols without messing with keyboard settings.

    • MagicShel@lemmy.zipEnglish
      4·
      24 hours ago

      It can be a lot of work to look up the alt code every time. Emdash on Linux is [Alt]+[Shift]+U,2,0,1,4,[Space]. It’s really easy to fat finger. It was really hard to remember. I still have to look up •, °, interrobang (phone keyboard didn’t even have that one), and others.

  • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
    2·
    1 day ago

    There’s better answers, and I’ve used some of them.

    But I always return to just keeping a text file open with the Unicode symbols I need.

    A step up from there is setting up text macros in my text editor. When I was favoring VSCodium, I pretty much copied my text file into the JSON config, added some shortcut names, and started using it.

    I’m learning more about custom keyboard firmware now, and hope to have a dedicated virtual keyboard layer for fancy symbols and ASCII art, at some point in the future.

    But in a pinch, I just end up with a text file to copy and paste from.

    • LostAndSmelly@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      23 hours ago

      When I am on my desktop PC it is viable to copy and pasted but when I am using a track pad and keyboard or using my stylus copy and paste is way too much work.

      I have a programmable keyboard but have not played with setting up Unicode keys. I like the idea and may wind up being that keyboard to class. It might be a bit too clicky for a classroom setting through.

      A software keyboard would be ideal. I just don’t know where to get started.