Keyboards and gamepads. Nothing important

Spent a little time yesterday tweaking the journal style. Switched to a different theme and modified it a bit. The theme I used before was fun, I liked the spinny icons, but the justified sans serif text was driving me crazy, especially on mobile. I chose a dark theme with serif text, which is how I have the ebook reader on my phone set up. A livejournal-derived CMS is interesting, because I'm not only defining how my page looks, I'm defining how the page where I read everyone else's journals looks, too. So I'm extra incentivized to make it as comfortably readable as possible.

The layout is a bit broken on desktop at the moment, the left column is overlapping some of the navigation links. I'll have to look at it when I get home. I'm amazed that none of the DW themes have a basic layout with all the content centered in the middle of the screen. That's one thing I miss from bearblog. I liked the simplicity of the front page being a list of entries, and each entry being a simple page of text with navigation links at the top. None of the DW layouts take mine length into account. I use a 21:9 monitor at home, so it's especially bad there. Even with the 3-column layout, the center column with all the content is like 150 characters long when the window's maximized. Now that modern CSS lets you define element width in terms of number of characters, there's no excuse not to have your lines fall in the 45-70ch sweet spot of readability.

So I centered the content column and made it 60ch wide, and had to nudge some of the elements around manually, and it's not quite right but it's getting there. Mobile is about perfect, and that's where I do most of my reading anyway. And I figure others read either in their own style which they're comfortable with or in a feed reader. But if you're reading on the website on a computer, consider this space

Keyboard Blues

Hey, let me know if this is a thing: a keyboard that can be used either as a USB or Bluetooth device. I'd like to get a new keyboard for work anyway, since the one they gave me is an awful chiclet-style keyboard, basically a laptop keyboard sandwiched in a cheap plastic rectangle. I have no idea why this product exists. I have plenty of space on my desk for a real keyboard.

If they make keyboards that can be used as USB/Bluetooth devices, I could plug it into my work computer and pair it to my phone, so I could type on my phone but still appear to be working. Ideally it would have a physical toggle switch so I could switch modes seamlessly, but that's probably asking a lot. Even being able to press some Fn-FX combo to switch would be okay.

What wouldn't work is if the keyboard is always in USB mode if it's plugged in, and can only be used wirelessly if the cable is unplugged. I suspect that this is how every BT/USB combo keyboard works, and none of them tell you that's how it works because it's just How It's Done™. But if you know of a keyboard that works the way I'm describing please let me know. It doesn't even need to be mechanical, a good rubber dome keyboard would be preferable to what I'm using now. But if it has some nice cherry browns, I wouldn't complain.

When I search for "multi device keyboard" I'm finding a few that might sort of do what I want, but (a.) they're all chiclet keyboards, and (b.) it's unclear whether "a computer via USB" is one of the devices they actually support. They mainly seem to be for switching between multiple Bluetooth devices. USB is only mentioned in the context of charging.

Now, you would hope that plugging it into your computer's USB port turns it into a wired keyboard. It'd be nice if we could assume that's how it works. But my spouse recently bought a wireless mouse that doesn't do anything without the dongle. If you plug it in, all it does is charge. If you want to use the mouse while charging, it requires two USB ports. One for the mouse and one for the dongle. What a crazy, mixed-up, topsy-turvy world we find ourselves living in.

No Joy Stick

Speaking of input peripherals, I think I need to find a wired gamepad for my computer. I've been wanting to play games that aren't RPGs or puzzle games, and I think the delay introduced by wireless controllers is making me have a much worse time.

My two options right now are an 8bitdo M30 bluetooth and a Wii U Pro controller with a Magic-NS dongle. They're both fine, but I feel like both controllers add just enough imperceptible input delay to compromise any game that requires quick reflexes. I was playing Kirby's Pinball Land for the gameboy, and I did okay, but I haven't yet finished a single level. I feel like I should've, given the time I put into it. I just lose control of the ball too much.

I don't think it's me, because I've also played a bit of 3D Space Cadet Pinball on a keyboard, and I was much better at it. I felt myself improving on subsequent runs. I felt able to put the ball where I needed more often. I accomplished goals and got some decent scores.

I also don't think it's the game, because it doesn't seem that hard! Kirby games usually aren't. It's very generous with the gutter-blocking power-ups and even if your ball drains all the way to the bottom, you can save yourself from losing a ball with a little timing microgame. But I'm missing the timing on it most of the time, and I'm struggling to keep Kirby on one screen long enough to complete an objective and move on to the next screen. I think I'd feel more in control with a wired gamepad.

I suppose I could use my keyboard for KPL to test my hypothesis. Maybe I'm just inexplicably bad at it. But if I do improve on a keyboard, I want to look into a wired controller for action games that require it. Like Battle of Olympus for the NES. I've really been enjoying it, it's like Zelda II if it were improved in every way, but I'm struggling with the combat more than I feel I should.

I don't know what the good USB gamepads are nowadays. They do sell a wired version of the M30, but it's $35! Also the buttons on my M30 tend to get sticky way too easily and require frequent cleaning. Their SNES controller clone has smaller buttons that might hold up better. It's $27, but it has two analog sticks I don't need.

I could also get two generic SNES controller clones for $10. I don't really need two, but I guess I'd have a backup if one breaks? I have a feeling they're pretty fragile. But if the D-pad feels good, it might be the most comfortable controller for me. And for that price it might be worth it even if they wear out in a year.

Actually those D-pads look a little too big. This one looks more accurate and is also more highly rated, but it's two for $17:

Ratings don't necessarily mean anything on Amazon, though. The reviews that look legit seem mixed. I dunno. If you have a wired gamepad you can recommend, let me know. Even if it's more expensive, if it's been serving you well for years it might be worth it. I'll try KPL with a keyboard the next chance I get and report back.