[cbd1984]

In this case, I honestly think the hardware solution is the better UI.

A very naïve person would expect that changing where the keycaps are would change which switch corresponds to which keycode. Only they'd think of it more like "Hey, the key I want to press is over there, but if I swap things around a bit, I can put it in this more convenient location over here." This isn't stupidity, it's merely expecting the world to be more obvious in its workings than it actually is.

Obviousness is a good UI heuristic. It isn't everything, and it can lead you down some dumb blind alleys, but in this case I can't think of any non-technical reason it shouldn't be made to work.

[unfamiliar]

>A very naïve person would expect that changing where the keycaps are would change which switch corresponds to which keycode.

I don't agree with this. Nobody would expect that rearranging the buttons on their car dashboard would change the original functionality. Same for buttons in a lift, coffee machine, anything you care to name. People are very familiar with the idea that the switch is just a sticker on an underlying mechanism. They don't think the letters inscribed on the plastic magically embody some functionality. So I think your whole premise is wrong.