Keyboard Debate
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Short answer (theoretical): wait until the ''illume-config-illume'' package arrives in the repository, then install it with ''opkg''. | Short answer (theoretical): wait until the ''illume-config-illume'' package arrives in the repository, then install it with ''opkg''. | ||
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+ | === How to "turn off" Qtopia keyboard ? === | ||
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+ | Short answer: Add the line ''export QTOPIA_NO_VIRTUAL_KEYBOARD=1'' into the file ''/etc/X11/Xsession.d/89qtopia''. | ||
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+ | By default, if both the illume and the qtopia keyboards are installed, they will compete with non-predictable results on which one is displayed on top. | ||
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+ | References: | ||
+ | [http://docs.openmoko.org/trac/ticket/1864 Comment on ticket 1864] | ||
+ | [http://n2.nabble.com/preserving-illume-keyboard-on-update-tp778734p778919.html Patching and recompiling qpe]. | ||
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=== How to change the keyboards layout ? === | === How to change the keyboards layout ? === | ||
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TBD | TBD | ||
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=== How to make Qtopia keyboards and illume/raster keyboard coexist ? === | === How to make Qtopia keyboards and illume/raster keyboard coexist ? === |
Revision as of 15:03, 28 August 2008
NOTE: This is an emotionally laden topic. Please stick to facts and Neutral Point of View. |
NOTE: This is work in progress. Please help by linking to appropriate messages and wiki pages. |
Summary of the problem
Om 2008.8 uses Qtopia for its phone stack. Qtopia has a build-in keyboard primarily designed to compose SMS in English. This keyboard is very impractical to use with a terminal or enter an URL.
More details..., list of all keyboard bugs in the defect tracking system.
List of available keyboards
Qtopia keyboard
The Qtopia keyboard build-in Om 2008.8. See also the [documentation at Trolltech]
Matchbox keyboard
The matchbox keyboard.Illume keyboard
The illume virtual keyboard a.k.a. Raster's keyboard.
Probably looking like this
See also Illume#Virtual_Keyboard (which would need to be completed ;)
Vkbd system
The vkbd system.
How to use the Qtopia keyboard shipped with Om 2008.8 ?
Summary:
- Slide finger left = backspace.
- Slide finger right = space.
- Slide finger up/down = changes between lowercase/uppercase/numbers/special characters.
- The 'Enter' key is bottom right on the special characters page
- Hovering over a letter for more than 2 seconds activates zoom mode, allowing you to type specific letters without prediction.
Detailed version: see How to use the Qtopia keyboard.
How to have a toggle button to make the keyboard appear/disappear ?
Short answer: opkg install illume-config. Long answer: here.
How to install the matchbox keyboard ?
Short answer: opkg install matchbox-keyboard-applet matchbox-keyboard-inputmethod Long answer: here.
How to install the illume (Raster's) keyboard ?
Short answer (theoretical): wait until the illume-config-illume package arrives in the repository, then install it with opkg.
How to "turn off" Qtopia keyboard ?
Short answer: Add the line export QTOPIA_NO_VIRTUAL_KEYBOARD=1 into the file /etc/X11/Xsession.d/89qtopia.
By default, if both the illume and the qtopia keyboards are installed, they will compete with non-predictable results on which one is displayed on top.
References: Comment on ticket 1864 Patching and recompiling qpe.
How to change the keyboards layout ?
TBD
How to change the dictionary used by the predictive keyboards ?
TBD
How to toggle the predictive mode on and off ?
TBD
How to make Qtopia keyboards and illume/raster keyboard coexist ?
TBD
Your short-term options
- Live with it, let go (for a while) the desire to use the terminal locally, login remotely via ssh when you need.
- Get an external keyboard, USB or Bluetooth, light and foldable if you want.
- Switch to 2007.2 (but then similar issues arise : Switching Keyboards on Om 2007.2), FSO or Debian.
- Recompile Qtopia and provide a package.
PS: Complaining that management does not listen to the users needs is not a productive option.
Perspectives for long-term resolution
On August 27th 2008, Marek from Openmoko inc. announced the intention to focus on the low-level layers. Future "base system" distribution may not include any phone stack at all.