Here is an update on the new Meta Modeware features that have been added in the last two weeks:
- Scroll Wheel up, Scroll Wheel down, Scroll Wheel click, Mouse Buttons 4 and 5 all assignable as special buttons.
- Special buttons, including L1/R1 clone and Display Mode Map, now assignable as keys, not only as keypresses.
- Assigned functions now displayed in bold text.
- Key-Mouse Button combinations now function as text macros. Incorporation into the GUI still remains.
There’s still a lot to do, both on the hardware production and software development side, but things are consistently moving forward. We’re always looking for more mode layouts from people, so if you’ve got ideas for one, don’t hesitate to download a spreadsheet and put one together. Our goal is to ship with 100 game and application modes available. And for this weekend’s mode review, please consider IW’s FreeSpace mode and offer any suggestions that may occur to you.
Eric Liu said on February 16th, 2010 , 3:48 am
execellent, a few questions/suggestions
-i know that DPI can be changed when the mouse changes modes, but will it be possible to map certain DPI’s /DPI up-down to specific buttons, for example, B-6,7,8 could be 750, 1000, 1500 DPI, or down-250, 1000, and up-250. on the fly DPI switching is still necessary in come applications (mainly FPS’s)
-an easy-print layout for modeware (like the above). with so many configurations possible, it would be nice to easily print a graphical representation of the current button layout, that way, we can consult button layouts without alt-tabing to the modeware screen, i personally have bad memory and have problems remembering a button map unless it is in front of me.
-button labels- this falls more under hardware, but including a set of sticker labels (user applied) to more easily identify the buttons
TheGZeus said on February 16th, 2010 , 8:10 am
@Eric Liu
I suggest using an image similar to the one in this post for a couple programs until you get used to the concept. Print it out if you must.
I did something like that when I changed form QWERTY to Colemak, and when I started using Emacs I had to use the internal help system for a while.
Configurable things have a learning curve, but soon you’ll be addicted and lose your mind without them.
I’ll probably eventually be carrying around a LiveCD based on what I normally use, a Meta, and a nice keyboard…
Addiction, I tell you.
Order, if you haven’t.
I had my doubts before the updates to Modeware started popping up, then I placed a pre-order.
Very happy.
admin said on February 16th, 2010 , 10:46 pm
The image displayed is actually a reduced version of a screenshot taken from the exported PDF of the FreeSpace mode. Meta Modeware has an Export to PDF feature which creates precisely what you are seeing there. This is so that printouts of custom mode layouts can be distributed throughout an organization or simply utilized as a user’s memory aid.
Trust us, you won’t need the button labels. After 15 minutes, you’ll know your B6 from your J3 without any trouble at all. Remembering what you PUT on J3 may be a different matter…. We’ll look into the CPI-on-the-fly feature.
lolmaus said on February 17th, 2010 , 9:05 am
I’ve registered on the Warmouse forums, but they won’t let me create new posts. So i ask my offtopic question here.
I’m a heavy PC user and Warmouse is something i’ve been waining for ten years! I look so forward to it. I’m gonna preorder two of them (after i settle in a permanent residence).
I predict that i’ll face two problems with Warmouse ergonomics.
I’m used to two-finger clicking and a fingertip grip. I hold a mouse with tips of thumb and ring finger, i click with index and middle finger.
Problem 1: i am absolutely sure that i’ll not manage to retrain myself for a three-finger gripping. I’ll have to spread my index and middle fingers too wide.
Problem 2: to move and lift a mouse, i put my thumb’s tip at the centre of mass — the middle of mouse’s side. On Warmouse, this spot is occupied with joystick. I cant put my thumb before or after the joystick because it’ll be too far from the center of mass and the mouse will tilt when lifted!
I can’t put my thumb below or above the joystick because there’s not enough place and there’s a risk of triggering the joystick.
Any solutions for these two problems?
I can think of the following solutions:
1)
* Being able to remap left/right clicks on buttons closer to the scroll wheel. But those buttons are too small to be used as primary left/right click buttons.
* Relocating the left/right click buttons in the middle columns instead of the outer columns.
2)
* Relocating the joystick higher up, so that there’s enough space below the joystick to allow gripping the centre of mass.
I understand that it’s absurd to address those issues on the late stage of development. But there’s no harm from voicing them.
Have a look at the (in)famous Logitech MX 510. In spite of that it’s designed exclusively for palm grip (which i can’t help hating), it does allow fingertip grip and it has none of those issues i’ve mentioned above: the click buttons aren’t spread too far and the side buttons won’t prevent you from gripping the center of mass.
lolmaus, a Warmouse fan
lolmaus said on February 17th, 2010 , 9:11 am
Err… By «retrain myself for a three-finger gripping» i meant «retrain myself for a three-finger clicking».
admin said on February 17th, 2010 , 9:29 am
First, there’s not necessarily a problem with a V-grip. The width doesn’t bother everyone. The main reason we recommend the W-for-WarMouse grip is for speed, comfort is a secondary reason. Second, there definitely isn’t a problem moving and/or lifting the mouse with your thumb tip on the joystick; that’s exactly where you’re supposed to put your thumb anyhow. We wouldn’t recommend it, but you can pick the mouse up by the joystick and throw it if you want without fear of accidentally triggering it. If you’ve ever played an Xbox 360 or PS3 game, you’ll be aware that you have to consciously press the joysticks in order to click them, they’re not set to a hairtrigger 65 grams of pressure like a conventional mouse microswitch.
(1) You can already remap left- and right-clicks wherever you want. You can even map the left double-click to its own separate button. If you think the A and B buttons are too small, then put them on the joystick. Or T2 if you want. We’re not about to modify the entire structure of the mouse at this point. (2) We’re not about to modify the structure of the mouse at this point, but as was already mentioned, there’s no need for this anyhow.
lolmaus said on February 19th, 2010 , 2:51 pm
admin:
i was worried about tilting the joystick when lifting, not squeezing it to click.
admin said on February 19th, 2010 , 5:50 pm
That’s not an issue either. I just picked it up with my thumb on the joystick and little finger on the right side and waved it around without it tilting in the slightest. It’s a non-issue.