Make it easier to type `!` to start bang search

leftium

Search bangs need the ! key, but it is difficult to type on mobile keyboards:

I have implemented a search box with QoL improvements: https://bangtastic.vercel.app/

! can be entered without the ! key:

Space when field is completely empty
Two spaces in a row

Entering space into a blank field and entering two spaces in a row are not needed for a search input, so I have repurposed them to insert !

Note this should also solve: https://kagifeedback.org/d/2543-use-fullwidth-exclamation-mark-for-bang

Other improvements:

The entire web page acts like a giant button that focuses the input.
- No need to reach all the way to the top, or even middle of the page
- If there is text in the search box it toggles between all highlighted and cursor at the end
- Highlighting all text is useful for deleting (and starting a new search)

Alternative solutions:

Add a button that inserts !
Quick bangs don't need the ! key

Vlad

leftium Note that Orion browser on iOS has ! built into the keybard (as a result of a direct user request for this). If it is not immediately visible like this, any solution would probably run into discoverability issues.

leftium

Vlad

Oh, Orion browser looks nice! I think I tried it a long time ago, but went back to Safari because I preferred the address bar on the bottom. (Or did Orion use to be Android-only? Or invite-only?) I'll give Orion another go~

Even if it's not discoverable, easy ! input might be nice for those who know.

I also considered starting the search box prefilled with a ! because it's easier to delete than insert a !

leftium

Vlad

So Orion keyboard is not a good solution because that ! key is very difficult to hit. Most times it registers as -, sometimes as the paste icon. Even when I'm really careful and trying hard, I think I only get ! one out of ten times.

I'll open another bug on the orion feedback site...

(And I remembered why I didn't use Orion before... it was MacOS-only back then!)

leftium

I have made an improved web app to make entering ! for bang searches easier: https://zbang.pockethost.io/

Tapping the SPACE key twice in quick succession inputs a !
The concept of the "double keypress" has been extended for other purposes, like FF to toggle fullscreen mode.
(If you really need to enter multiple spaces, just typing slightly slower prevents the ! insertion)