Linux @lemmy.ml Oliver @lemmy.neuralwhisper.eu 4d ago

Using Mac Keyboard-layout on Linux?

Hey everyone,

as a longtime-Mac user who got used to the typical Mac-keyboard layout and using a Logitech MX Keys (Mac only) I was wondering if there is any chance of adopting the Mac-layout 1:1 on one of my favourite Linux-distros using KDE (desktop PC) without mapping each single key to match the Mac-key?

Is there any base tool I can use for this or any tool I can download to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance!

17 comments

there is, either by manually remapping everything using Plasma's keyboard settings or using one of the many Kinto variants.

advice from someone who made the same switch - don't do it. start adapting and relearning. muscle memory is a pain, but it's tameable. you're not going back, there's no point in retaining useless skill.
- I've used Mac keyboard layout successfully on Linux. "Input Remapper" for one beligerent key that refused to work otherwise.
  
  I did not remap command and Ctrl keys, is that what you are referring to? I found learning the DE- keymappings helped me navigate the different DEs better (I used GNOME and KDE) and it was less error prone since some apps would hardcode some keys that were nonesensical as Mac layout.
Checkout Toshy. This has been a life saver for me.
- do you know of any similar projects in the opposite direction? (ie linux to mac)
  
  Does XCode still have Emacs shortcuts? Otherwise I recommend learning the platform specific shortcuts. It gives a much better idea what the platform can do for you.
Obviously you should relearn everything. Heck, pick up the Dvorak or Colemak keyboard layout while you're at it!

/s

That toshy thing looks like the right way to go. Wild that this is such a complex issue.

I had to go the other direction (Linux -> apple) for a bit and ended up remapping the caps lock key to command so I could approximate "normal" reflexive (pinky-based) shortcuts. It did sort of simplify copy-pasting in terminals.
- I had to go the other direction (Linux -> apple)
  
  same here but permanently since i can only chose between mac and windows for work laptops since leaving the few employers that support linux laptops.
  
  i had to remap the globe/fn key to control since it sits in the control space and i struggle daily with copy/paste and i REALLY MISS the scroll-wheel-click/shift-insert copy/paste; i have to use a context menu for both.
  
  But on Mac if you already selected it, why not drag it to copy? (No mod key in terminal, alt key for all other cases)
- Off-topic, but for someone who recently switch to hhkb layout, I find it way more comfortable to activate shortcuts with caps-lock (Ctrl in hhkb) pinky rather than with regular command.

17 comments