Re:Emacs is special regarding UIs
by jwr on Thursday September 10, 2020 @06:00AM
(#24430671)
I definitely did not look at the function keys when working with software that I use a lot.
As an example, these days, when routing PCB tracks in KiCad, when I need to switch to a different board layer, I need to look away from screen and at the keyboard in order to hit the right function key. I also have to pray that the TouchBar will register my press, as it often likes to go to "sleep". I don't know if it did register my press until I look back at my screen and check if I'm on the right layer.
Having to look away from the screen when you're in the middle of routing a track on a complex multi-layer board is really annoying.
Plus, it's difficult to keep a hand near the function keys without accidentally getting near one of the touchbar areas, which results in a keypress, which results in a zoom-out for me (F1).
It's an abysmal user experience and a huge regression.
As an example, these days, when routing PCB tracks in KiCad, when I need to switch to a different board layer, I need to look away from screen and at the keyboard in order to hit the right function key. I also have to pray that the TouchBar will register my press, as it often likes to go to "sleep". I don't know if it did register my press until I look back at my screen and check if I'm on the right layer.
Having to look away from the screen when you're in the middle of routing a track on a complex multi-layer board is really annoying.
Plus, it's difficult to keep a hand near the function keys without accidentally getting near one of the touchbar areas, which results in a keypress, which results in a zoom-out for me (F1).
It's an abysmal user experience and a huge regression.