I'll trade that away for the duel mode any day :).

Most of the time I'm placing the curser in position before I hit my shortcut.

I have two other suggestions than, but It's not as elegant as the duel mode.

1) If you hold Shift (or any other key) you can quick enable the curser position and then if you can release the shift key (while still holding your shortcut key)  you have the free placement.
2) While holding your shortcut key pressing Shift (or any other key) will step through the options you have)

It would also be nice to be able to group/expand certain nodes in a huge node network to keep it more readable.

Thanks!
It would be nice if you could hold down shift (or any other key) + "press your shortcut key" to step between the options as well. when will beta 0.35 be out? (when it's ready!?!)

Also I would like to be able to use the new shortcuts while using a wacom (that doesn't have a scroll).