Now that I have used VIAL, I can't use VIA any more.

Submitted by plazman30 t3_102gcph in MechanicalKeyboards

For those that don't know, VIAL is an open source "clone" of VIA that adds a lot more features that VIA does. It exposes more QMK configuration options via the UI, and stores the JSON file on the keyboard, so you never have to load the VIAL app and browse for your JSON file.

VIAL will let you configure things such as Tapdance, and allows way more macros and layers than VIA does.

https://get.vial.today

I program the heck out of my keyboards, especially with macros. So, some kind of VIAL support influences my purchasing decisions.

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laffeybunn t1_j2unvd6 wrote

I don't want to hate VIA and since VIAL is rarely supported I'll prob just keep myself ignorant as it is true bliss

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Hedgey t1_j2v9cf1 wrote

VIAL is so much better...You can do combos and all sorts of other easy to access functions and macros. It's light years ahead of VIA.

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its_james_t t1_j2u7mfe wrote

Do you still have to flash a via compatible qmk map, or can you use this to just generate a new one?

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plazman30 OP t1_j2uvhj9 wrote

You need to reflash the keyboard with a firmware you build from the VIAL source tree.

I have QMK/VIAL on my Keychron K8 Pro. It's a custom build someone made.

And have a ADB to USB adapter for my Apple Extended Keybooard II that I flashed VIAL onto.

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VinhBlade t1_j2uhnwf wrote

Does it feel stable to you personally, or in a more experimental phase?

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plazman30 OP t1_j2uv4h4 wrote

For what I use it for, it's stable.

All the VIA comparable features are 100% stable. The macros work very well also.

I haven't been able to get tapdance to work yet, but that may be my fault and the VIAL's fault.

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BrettAus05 t1_j2wredk wrote

What type of macros / modifications/ processes do you simplify with VIAL / VIA?

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plazman30 OP t1_j2wtys3 wrote

I launch apps with it.

I use it to enter my strong and complicated password into my password manager. Before VIA/VIAL, I used a weaker, but still somewhat secure password. Now it's 100 characters of pure random garbage.

I have a bunch of text files for work that I do routine search and replace in. Now I can do that by pressing one key that launches the app, loads the file, does a replace and saves the file.

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BrettAus05 t1_j30bh54 wrote

Cheers for the reply. I’ll consider a macro pad now.

I’m tossing up what to buy as I’d like a full size hot swap keyboard. Being in Australia, choices are quite limited compared to smaller form factors at the moment. I need a numpad as I’m just use to using one day to day. A macro pad plus TKL might be the go… 👍

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plazman30 OP t1_j31pe20 wrote

Check out Keychron.

https://www.keychron.com.au/products/keychron-v6-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard

https://keychron.com.au/products/keychron-v5-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard

They're a Chinese company, so you should be able to order them online for shipping to Australia.

These keyboards run QMK/VIA. I think there may be community VIAL builds.

The other option is to keep your existing keyboard and buy a programmable macro pad.

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[deleted] t1_j2xjmhc wrote

[deleted]

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plazman30 OP t1_j2xzhld wrote

It's a Firefox issue. And a good one. Firefox doesn't support WebHID. And I hope they never do. I don't think I want a web browser to have direct access to my keyboard firmware. Sounds like a good way to get a keylogger installed in your hardware without even knowing it.

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Jrgiacone t1_j4vsnvh wrote

how hard was it to get vial working. Currently using via which is fairly easy since its supported out of the box. But on my keychron q1 v2 its not supported on vial. I would like to get tap dance to work for capslock as i am using mod tap currently to swap caps as control and escape

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plazman30 OP t1_j4wjngu wrote

Hop on the Keychron Discord. Someone there may have a build of VIAL for that keyboard.

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