[Layout][WWE][SWE] BIGkeys for FingerKeyboard 2.1

[losdrivare]

First off: Credits, a big THANKS and hats off to Rozenthal, Exidler and Giannis86 for their respective work with FingerKeyboard: IMHO the best typing solution for windows mobile.
Click here to go to the FingerKeyboard thread!

What's BIGkeys? This is a landscape layout for FingerKeyboard v2.1 that maximizes the size of the keys to facilitate typing even more. The goal of the layout is to be as similar to a normal keyboard as possible to provide intuitive placement of special chars. Of course with the size constraints of the keyboard there are some compromises. There is no BIGkeys portrait layout. If you want bigger keys in portrait, try the SoftTouch Max Key layout by ring-bearer (thanks aussiebum for recommendation).

The original swedish layout is created by a friend of mine. I thought it was so good that I wanted to publish it here and he's given me permission to do so. He made the key spacing and the original layout, I have polished the layout to make it similar to a normal keyboard for intuitive placement of special chars etc and I also made a WWE layout with his layout as base. My friend has the name byggver here on XDA and all credit goes to him for this excellent layout.

How to install: First install FingerKeyboard. Then copy the .txt file attached in the post for respective layout into the Skins folder of where you installed FingerKeyboard, for example Internal Storage\Program Files\FingerKeyb\Skins. Then select correct language in FingerKeyboard settings.

One more thing: These layouts are provided as-is. If you want something added or changed, take a look into the layout .txt file and do it yourself. It is really quite simple: there is one row per key, the first numbers in every row are key x-placement, y-placement, width and height, then there is a reference to the key images used and there is the text displayed on the key as well as the corresponding output. It is really self-explainatory once you look into the .txt file. I did this with hardly any programming skills and so can you.

I cannot please every taste, only you can make the perfect keyboard for you. I'm just sharing what I already have and as a bonus I'm doing a WWE layout. This way, you can at least have a starting point for your own perfect layout. If you make your own layout based on BIGkeys and want to share it, feel free to post it in this thread and I'll make a link to it on the first page.

[losdrivare]

So, here's the WWE layout. I used the standard US keyboard layout as reference, however I've not done much typing on US or UK keyboards, so I probably don't have a good feel on where to put the special chars that don't have a given place. I tried to make it as intuitive as I could.

Feel free to change what you don't like!

[losdrivare]

This is the swedish layout. It contains no key to change language, I removed it to give more space for other keys. I only use this language layout anyway so...

UPDATE: A swedish portrait layout for WVGA can be found HERE. The keys are only standard size, but it's still useful.

[losdrivare]

Links:
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BIGkeys WWE VGA version by MrObvious

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[r8zer]

hi, can you do the same for potrait mode aswell as there are buttons i dont use, then we can have the keys bigger in potrait aswell, just an option.

thankyou

[losdrivare]

Originally Posted by r8zer hi, can you do the same for potrait mode aswell as there are buttons i dont use, then we can have the keys bigger in potrait aswell, just an option. thankyou

Actually, portrait doesn't really give much to work with if you want bigger keys. The 480 pixel width is really a limiting factor there. The BIGkeys layouts are only landscape, at least for now. But feel free to make your own and post it here, I'll put a link up on fist page if it gets buried in the thread.

Of course I can share the swedish portrait layout I'm using if anyone is interested, but the keys are not bigger than FingerKeyboard standard size. The WVGA version looks the same as the VGA version in my signature but with an extra row for arrows and keyboard on/off.

[r8zer]

ok, thanks for your response, and i would not have a clue where to start on this, and will take your expert advice in this and leave well alone.

[robinmalmberg]

How nice isn´t this! I was going to buy a bluetooth keyboard, but with this I will not. I can type at full speed without errors again, just as on my Hermes.

Thank you very much!

[losdrivare]

WWE layout is up. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by r8zer ok, thanks for your response, and i would not have a clue where to start on this, and will take your expert advice in this and leave well alone.

You have some pointers in the first post. Back-up the .txt-files before you start trying and you can't ruin anything. Have a go, you'll figure it out in no time, promise!

Originally Posted by robinmalmberg How nice isn´t this! I was going to buy a bluetooth keyboard, but with this I will not. I can type at full speed without errors again, just as on my Hermes. Thank you very much!

Thanks for your feedback! Glad you like it, it's a pleasure to help my fellow swedes. I used to have an Xperia with a hardware keyboard but I find typing with FingerKeyboard and this layout faster and more accurate.

[aussiebum]

Originally Posted by r8zer hi, can you do the same for potrait mode aswell as there are buttons i dont use, then we can have the keys bigger in potrait aswell, just an option.

If you want bigger keys in Portrait mode try the SoftTouch Max Key layout in the Xperia forums => http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=506474

It looks a bit funny but actually works quite well.