Messages in this thread | | | From | "Etienne Lorrain" <> | Date | Tue, 23 Jun 1998 12:56:13 +0001 | Subject | Re: uniform input device packets? |
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> okay... this is my first attempt at slightly bloated protocol design. > > here is a sample of what could be done to unify keyboard, mouse, etc. > input into a single protocol. this includes the realtime needs described > recently... as well as a possible need for a /dev/keyboard (according to > me!?).
It is maybe not so nice to differ input data stream with a signature in its content: how about a keyboard with an embedded mouse ? how about a nonexistent lightpen: you have to open the device (and load the module) to know it is not there...
About standard, the DEC VT have done quite nice a thing in the last generations (everything sending/receiving char):
- You can know/set the keyboard language, the font, the screen size (to any value) and save/protect them in NV RAM. - You can ask for most capabilities (if there is colors...) - You can set a special mode where every modifier key (shift, control, alternate, compose) send a complete and concise status when pressed and released. - You can set all keys in RAW mode (like for previous modifier keys) sending coordinate when pressed/released - You can have multiple screen/keyboard (still ONE serial line or device) with complete state saved independantly - They have added a nice mouse control in VT1200, where you say when to notify (send me a report when mouse leaves the area defined) - you can reach and configure a printer (same serial line) - you can localy cut and paste, or between session... - you can switch serial protocol on the fly - there is open doors - if you want to get temperature of the screen... - The ESC problem has never really existed (flames waited) - you can do small graphics - even if it is quite slow on a real serial line.
It is nicely designed, and could be programmed in the Linux console (it is vt100 compatible), the two main problems are: - how to find time to write down the software - how about legal things: What DEC thinks? when the VT100 standard has been "public" (pointers) ?
My Euro 0.02, Etienne.
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