Related
Dear wizards of the coding.
Everytime I see my new devices I must say every purchase action depends on how much is supported in XDA-DEVELOPERS, so keep doing it.
Not sure if this is the right category to post this but as an advance user (not developer) I was thinking that could be interesting to develop an application to extend your current screen with Galaxy tab screen.
As I'm not an expert, I'm not sure if current USB bandwith will support it, but I ask to the experts to check if they see will benefit the community.
Another topic I've experienced is about bluetooth. I use to use a bluetooth earphone Sony Ericsson MW600 with OLED display. There are some devices where I can see son title or call ID name from my mobile phone. That doesn't happen with my SGT.
Sorry for the extended email and look forward to seeing these developments or threads.
Regards to all!!!
rclua said:
Not sure if this is the right category to post this but as an advance user (not developer) I was thinking that could be interesting to develop an application to extend your current screen with Galaxy tab screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite sure exactly what you mean, but if you mean using your Tab's screen as a second (or third) monitor for your desktop machine, you could do that right now on Macs - run ScreenRecycler on your desktop, a VNC client on your Tab and job done. The virtual second monitor of ScreenRecycler is shown in the VNC client on your tab.
I don't do Windows but a quick Google seems to suggest ZoneScreen does something similar.
The promlem with vnc is its slow. It moght be possible to do it over usb since it is way faster than bluetooth
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Loccy said:
Not quite sure exactly what you mean, but if you mean using your Tab's screen as a second (or third) monitor for your desktop machine, you could do that right now on Macs - run ScreenRecycler on your desktop, a VNC client on your Tab and job done. The virtual second monitor of ScreenRecycler is shown in the VNC client on your tab.
I don't do Windows but a quick Google seems to suggest ZoneScreen does something similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your solution is fine but I don't think VNC will be as fast. I was thinking on same way windows/mac/linux extend their screens using dedicated video ports/hardware but in that case using all potential USB bandwith for transferring such data.
It could have applications of monitor in the music industry (Imagin a DJ o composer controlling from SGT and playing other stuff on main screen), things like that.
Any hint on the second topic? (bluetooth realted to songs titles or call ID names being transferred from your SGT or Android Device?
Thanks!!
There is an application in the market called androidmonitor that allowsa phone to be used either as an extra monitor or as a keyboard input. It's $9.95 and the review so far are not good plus one notes that it does not work with the galaxy tab. With 15 minute return policy, reviews need to get better to try it.
randy
Hi Guys,
anyone got an idea which Keyboard would be the best as an alternative to Kindle Key board and also in addition what of of pen could one
use with it for just writing notes? (free hand) etc.! Any suggestions?
Thx
regards
mjay
I have no recommendations or comments on using a pen, but in terms of alternate keyboards I am a big fan of Thumb Keyboard. It has different layouts you can use depending on how you like to type including a neat split portrait layout and multiple split landscape layouts perfect for holding the sides and using your thumb. My favorite feature is that there are two spacebars; one will use autocorrect and one does not. Takes moving a couple files around to get it to work on stock, just like any other keyboard.
skourg3 said:
I have no recommendations or comments on using a pen, but in terms of alternate keyboards I am a big fan of Thumb Keyboard. It has different layouts you can use depending on how you like to type including a neat split portrait layout and multiple split landscape layouts perfect for holding the sides and using your thumb. My favorite feature is that there are two spacebars; one will use autocorrect and one does not. Takes moving a couple files around to get it to work on stock, just like any other keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks gonna try that one ASAP
Does it also support freehand-writing or Do you know such an app which can transform your free-handwriting into to text?
cheers
I've got some inside news that Thumb keyboard is going to get specially modified theme for kindle fire, due to lack of hardware buttons. So yeah I recommend it too.
For a pen, I just grabbed a random one from the iPad aisle in target.
+1 for Thumb Keyboard though I tend to share between it and Swype. I especially like the Preset keys you can set for sentences for things I need to type over and over but are harder to type (Like an SMS commands to a gateway server which needs a specific format).
As for a pen, I wouldn't hope too much there. The best you can do is one of the capacitance pens (same as what the iPad uses). They have large rounded tips and don't do well for real handwriting.
Even on something like the ASUS Transformer Prime, the stylus there does not work very well.
However, there is new stuff coming for some devices like the ASUS Transformer Prime. There is a company which is unlocking the hardware that is already in those devices which then allows you to use a real active stylus with a small tip that in the demo's I've seen had lots of control and worked very smoothly.
I don't think you will see anything like that on the Fire though.
krelvinaz said:
+1 for Thumb Keyboard though I tend to share between it and Swype.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreeing here. Swype is for my portrait-mode quick-typing of random messages when I'm not doing a whole lot of typing that requires commands, like on the forums or when I'm writing emails. Thumb is perfect for my ssh stuff and irssi use, however, so I stick with that in landscape.
Holding out hope for a nice BT keyboard if BT support gets thrown into a rom anytime soon
Hi guys. For anyone else interested in this, some of you may also listen to podcasts like Windows Weekly or read articles from top Windows writers like Mary Jo Foley of ZDnet, Paul Thurott etc. Last I heard them say that it's 50/50, Micro employees are saying there isn't definitely an 8.2 (remember at this point Blue was in full dev last year), they could either skip to Windows 9, particularly as a branding refresh a la Vista.
What do you think? Will they? Do you want them to?
I do. I really think desktop users got shafted and I can't believe how many third party modifications it takes for me to get comfortable with Win 8. Reading the 'making win 8' blog I was excited. From the preview I was shocked so much was unfinished and gambled, unlike the Win 7 preview. The Xbox 180 rollback (and the firing of the Windows, Xbox chiefs and investor kick-out of the CEO) to me highlights a recognition of failure from a business point.
Edit - I'm going to upgrade my statement and say the world's largest PC manufacturer dissing the start screen and adding a third party menu - Pokki - is a result of feedback from customers and that I find it hard to believe how Microsoft couldn't add a full menu back in 9 at least alongside a start screen.
http://blog.pokki.com/2013/08/lenovo-pcs-now-come-with-pokki/
i don't care what they call it, as long as it's something worth upgrading to. other than my tablets, i have no reason upgrade any other computer i own or use to win8. windows 7 works fine for now.
Nice opinion piece, i couldn't care less what they call it.
As long as they don't A, force us to use metro all of the time or B, put the old start menu back in again ill upgrade to it.
SharpnShiny said:
Hi guys. For anyone else interested in this, some of you may also listen to podcasts like Windows Weekly or read articles from top Windows writers like Mary Jo Foley of ZDnet, Paul Thurott etc. Last I heard them say that it's 50/50, Micro employees are saying there isn't definitely an 8.2 (remember at this point Blue was in full dev last year), they could either skip to Windows 9, particularly as a branding refresh a la Vista.
What do you think? Will they? Do you want them to?
I do. I really think desktop users got shafted and I can't believe how many third party modifications it takes for me to get comfortable with Win 8. Reading the 'making win 8' blog I was excited. From the preview I was shocked so much was unfinished and gambled, unlike the Win 7 preview. The Xbox 180 rollback (and the firing of the Windows, Xbox chiefs and investor kick-out of the CEO) to me highlights a recognition of failure from a business point.
Edit - I'm going to upgrade my statement and say the world's largest PC manufacturer dissing the start screen and adding a third party menu - Pokki - is a result of feedback from customers and that I find it hard to believe how Microsoft couldn't add a full menu back in 9 at least alongside a start screen.
http://blog.pokki.com/2013/08/lenovo-pcs-now-come-with-pokki/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think - well, actually hope (so there's personal bias) - that the Windows team will come to its senses. A hybrid OS that runs on desktop/mobile and unifying look and feel was a good idea on paper. The problem was in trying to nudge desktop users to use Metro without touch capability. And that's where they are going to lose a HUGE segment of business.
Business wise most companies think 8 is another Vista and when XP reaches EOS they'll go to 7 and hope for the best with 9 - and it's coming. Historically Windows gets no more than 2 major updates in a life cycle and with 7 only getting one (so far) it's fair to suspect that Blue (8.1) may be it. Try to get more user approval on it and hope for the best with a new version. They could clean up 8, add a true "desktop/touch/hybrid" look/feel and slap a Windows 9 label on it... but here's hoping they'll spend the next 12-14 months really deciding what they want to do forward.
I really don't see the fuss over lack of a start button. What do people seriously use it for? Launching applications, shutting down the PC and accessing control panel (and related).
Launching apps can be done from desktop icons, modern ui tiles or simply go to modern ui and if the software didnt have a piece of crap installer when you start to type its name (dont even have to click a box or anything) it will list it. <- because that was so hard.
Shutting down PC, control-alt-delete or alt-f4 on the desktop or windows key + I to open the settings charm where you can click power > shutdown or here is a revolotionary idea for those with laptops or desktops within reach: press the power button and windows will prompt for shut down.
Control panel. Either try the launching apps thing above. Alternately, move the mouse to the bottom left corner so the little "start" thing appears, right click it, its right there.
I for one find windows 8 *easier* with keyboard and mouse than 7 was. I don't have a problem using modern ui apps with keyboard and mouse either. I have a word for those people who cannot work out how an app works on keyboard and mouse, its 6 letters long, starts with an R and has political incorrectness written all over it.
SixSixSevenSeven said:
I really don't see the fuss over lack of a start button. What do people seriously use it for? Launching applications, shutting down the PC and accessing control panel (and related).
Launching apps can be done from desktop icons, modern ui tiles or simply go to modern ui and if the software didnt have a piece of crap installer when you start to type its name (dont even have to click a box or anything) it will list it. <- because that was so hard.
Shutting down PC, control-alt-delete or alt-f4 on the desktop or windows key + I to open the settings charm where you can click power > shutdown or here is a revolotionary idea for those with laptops or desktops within reach: press the power button and windows will prompt for shut down.
Control panel. Either try the launching apps thing above. Alternately, move the mouse to the bottom left corner so the little "start" thing appears, right click it, its right there.
I for one find windows 8 *easier* with keyboard and mouse than 7 was. I don't have a problem using modern ui apps with keyboard and mouse either. I have a word for those people who cannot work out how an app works on keyboard and mouse, its 6 letters long, starts with an R and has political incorrectness written all over it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said. I'm a believe of progress, I find win 8 much more efficient as you already mentioned, unfortunately the great anti MS movement has done well in telling people what they should and should not like. Try learn and love... Simple
Sent from my Rooted Kobo Arc
SixSixSevenSeven said:
I really don't see the fuss over lack of a start button. What do people seriously use it for? Launching applications, shutting down the PC and accessing control panel (and related).
Launching apps can be done from desktop icons, modern ui tiles or simply go to modern ui and if the software didnt have a piece of crap installer when you start to type its name (dont even have to click a box or anything) it will list it. <- because that was so hard.
Shutting down PC, control-alt-delete or alt-f4 on the desktop or windows key + I to open the settings charm where you can click power > shutdown or here is a revolotionary idea for those with laptops or desktops within reach: press the power button and windows will prompt for shut down.
Control panel. Either try the launching apps thing above. Alternately, move the mouse to the bottom left corner so the little "start" thing appears, right click it, its right there.
I for one find windows 8 *easier* with keyboard and mouse than 7 was. I don't have a problem using modern ui apps with keyboard and mouse either. I have a word for those people who cannot work out how an app works on keyboard and mouse, its 6 letters long, starts with an R and has political incorrectness written all over it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To call me or anyone else that 6 letter word is clairvoyant of your personality. 18 years of using a start button doesn't go away quickly. Asking paradigms to change that fast is dang near impossible for most businesses. There should be at least a slight understanding of that.
In all fairness most of the big and powerful things you needed can be found in 8.1 preview by right clicking the Windows icon on the bottom right and does far more than I'll need. And with all due respect to your opinion, I have about 30+ different applications on my work PC that I use on a constant basis. Top 5 are in the toolbar (also having a challenge duplicating this in 8.1 preview - maybe someone can shed some light for me?) to avoid hitting that button. Rest of them are easily found because I set up my Start Menu to be as efficient as I need it to be. I'm trying to find a way to match that without having to go into Metro because honestly that takes more time. And please don't patronize me about going back to icons on the desktop - that's regressive to 3.1 and NOT progressive. Your power suggestions have also been around since at least XP so no new news there. I didn't know about being able to search for your apps within Metro and I will give that a shot and see if I reconsider. Moving the scroll bar on the bottom of metro to scroll to apps is VERY different than the touch response.
Notice I didn't trash the Metro UI concept, I think it's dead on for touch devices. I just think they can and should improve on the non-touch side where honestly most folks (and companies) do not need/want it... yet. Just like not every company embraces 64 bit OSes yet because they have yet to exceed the 4GB limitation. Again, just sharing my personal thoughts and those that I've heard at corporate levels so far. Not all of us are fortunate to be able to use the same OS at home and work. Many of us will always be behind the times in technology at the office - even if we work in IT.
Windows 9 or 99 - not a whole lot of difference
A side comment to the overarching theme of this thread: Windows 8.2 vs Windows 9 is purely a naming decision that has very little to do with what the actual product will look like. Certainly it has zero bearing on what features will go in.
It's almost certain that at the same time during Windows 8.1 development, the decision hadn't yet been made as to whether call the OS Windows 9, Windows 8.1 or what have you (hence the codename "Windows Blue").
Another good illustration of how naming doesn't mean a whole lot in Microsoft is the evolution from WinNT 6.0 to 6.1. On the client side the move was Vista -> 7 ("major" update), on the server line it was Server 2008 -> Server 2008 R2 ("small" update). But the magnitude of changes was of course very similar between both product lines.
Bottom line: don't get hung up on the naming aspect--it's like reading tea leaves. Look to the core of the product.
Before all the turmoil--reorg, lameduck CEO, Nokia acquisition--I was pretty confident of seeing Win9, as 8.1 was basically a polished 8, and 8 wasn't going anywhere. An 8.2 would only prolong the ignominy.
To have Win9, MS has to have an idea of how to substantively improve on Win8 (that users will buy into.) All present indicators are that that direction doesn't exist. The reorg will paralyze any new initiative, as will Ballmer's lameduck status. And digesting Nokia on top of those...well, turmoil would be putting it kindly.
There should be a new CEO next year (probably Elop, yuck). Lumias will be rebadged, and merged into the Surface effort. But integration and reorg for a company of MS' size will take 2-3 years at least. That almost certainly means we'll see another incremental Win release.
I expect 8.1's reception will be marginally better than 8, mainly because of XP's EOL and replacement purchases for those skipping over 8. The hardware (Haswell, Bay Trail) is better and will also help. But PC's glory days are over, more so because of MS' abandonment and ineptitude than from anything else. Not only on the software side, but hardware as well. OEMs are jumping off the listing ship, even faster now that MS is set to be a full-on competitor.
So how to fix Win 8.x within a year, with no new direction, and a paralyzed company? More TLC to its fast-shrinking cash cow, the desktop, would be a start. As before, I'd like to see a "Windows Classic" that again emphasize on desktop, perhaps with Metro as an optional component. I think a 1-yr allotment for this is doable, even given the dire circumstances. Metro, or Win Mobile (refurb'ed), can be an "essential" add-on, or a separate standalone. The step would be a good holding action.
This would require a revisit of MS' "one-size-fits-all" UI tenet, which isn't succeeding anyway. Metro on its own merits is nothing special, hence its force-feeding to Win users. But neither lame-duck Ballmer nor (likely) Elop has the vision to make a fundamental change. Elop did not turn Nokia around.
We'll see what comes out of the blender next year. For this year, I'll be upgrading to 8.1 and using it strictly as a desktop OS, ie an updated Win7. Metro will be excised, and all my tablet/phone needs will be (have been) met by Android. From what I see of the upcoming Win tabs, they all suck. High prices compared to Android, desktop apps that don't run well on tabs, and paltry selection of mobile apps (that are locked to MS' app store).
Anybody running 8.1 RTM (not RT) yet?
>unfortunately the great anti MS movement has done well in telling people what they should and should not like
Just have to comment on this. Get off the blame game shtick. MS' travails are its own doing, not from any "hater conspiracy" theory. Stop contributing to the childish squabbles.
>I didn't trash the Metro UI concept, I think it's dead on for touch devices.
I can't agree. Metro is still immature, as is MS' notion of mobile devices. Simple case-in-point: 8 does not support portrait use, most apps are landscapes only. 8.1's purported support doesn't compensate for the fact that current and most upcoming tablets will be 16:9. Try using one in portrait and see the awkwardness.
Metro has many other deficits, which I've pointed out before. Landscape orientation (and scrolling) is bad for long lists, among other things, which are best done vertically. Ever wondered why there still isn't a good file manager for Metro? Not to say that Android and iOS are perfect. Both have their foibles. But they're already far ahead in share and 3rd-party support.
>Windows 8.2 vs Windows 9 is purely a naming decision that has very little to do with what the actual product will look like.
What we're talking about isn't the numbering per se, but whether there'll be a substantive change for the next Win rev. The 8.2 vs 9 is a shorthand.
As far as substantive changes go, I can't predict the future, but I can say this. A few bugs can make a program completely unusable, but it doesn't mean that the program is necessarily total crap in its entirety.
Windows 8 isn't all bad. It has a few features which some users really don't like, but most of the new features aren't bad. They're good features solidly engineered. So it's very possible that an incremental release focusing on making these few problematic areas right could be a major hit.
A common perception is that Windows 8 is somehow so abhorrent that only a total rollback or a total redesign can possibly save the ship. I don't think it's an accurate assessment.
Its not a Blame game, its an observation from dealing with the public, in many cases for no justifiable reason or argument without substance a large portion of the geeky public/profession (note I am one as well) seem hell bent on slagging off anything MS.
It has its faults just as any organization does but some much of the tripe an miss information I have to wade through just to get to the root cause of the problem is staggering!! So no, its not about trying to partake in a childish game, its about trying to stop people being misled by so called experts and to make informed decisions based on fact
Sent from my Rooted Kobo Arc
>A few bugs can make a program completely unusable, but it doesn't mean that the program is necessarily total crap in its entirety.
Win8's issue isn't about bugs, but more fundamental: its design and structure, which were radically changed to fit the one-size-fits-all scheme. Users have not warmed to this direction, and at this point I can't see any change to Metro that can make touch use viable for desktops. While some here may differ on the finer points (or affiliation), it's safe to say that none here has yet to use Metro exclusively as a desktop replacement. It's almost a year since release. There are no more excuses.
>Windows 8 isn't all bad. It has a few features which some users really don't like, but most of the new features aren't bad. They're good features solidly engineered.
What's "bad" or "good" is an opinion. What's not opinion is Win8--ergo, Metro--adoption rate. It's abysmal. One may be an optimist and hope for salvation in 8.1 (or perhaps 8.2). MS certainly doesn't think 8.x will do so great, else it wouldn't have opted for the reorg, Ballmer wouldn't have been kicked out, and Nokia buy wouldn't be a necessity.
Put another way, it's not any one person's opinion that matters, but the collective opinions of Windows users. They've spoken, and I don't see any miracle on the horizon to change their tune.
People need to get the following in their head:
1) Desktop isn't going anywhere, stop dramatizing over the desktop vs metro bullcrap
2) Windows 8 does not force you to use metro, just the start screen, which is miles better than the old start menu.
3) Windows 8 metro works perfectly fine with keyboard and mouse. The R word is pretty much suitable for anyone who can't make the jump from start button to start screen. If you are that R, then you need to quit using a computer, that stuff aint for you.
4)Neither metro, nor the desktop will disappear in any subsequent versions of windows. Stop fearing/hoping.
5) it will probably take around 2 years until the next version of windows (9, momo, kiki whatever) comes along. Windows 8.1 is more like a service pack for windows 8.
garwynn said:
To call me or anyone else that 6 letter word is clairvoyant of your personality. 18 years of using a start button doesn't go away quickly. Asking paradigms to change that fast is dang near impossible for most businesses. There should be at least a slight understanding of that.
In all fairness most of the big and powerful things you needed can be found in 8.1 preview by right clicking the Windows icon on the bottom right and does far more than I'll need. And with all due respect to your opinion, I have about 30+ different applications on my work PC that I use on a constant basis. Top 5 are in the toolbar (also having a challenge duplicating this in 8.1 preview - maybe someone can shed some light for me?) to avoid hitting that button. Rest of them are easily found because I set up my Start Menu to be as efficient as I need it to be. I'm trying to find a way to match that without having to go into Metro because honestly that takes more time. And please don't patronize me about going back to icons on the desktop - that's regressive to 3.1 and NOT progressive. Your power suggestions have also been around since at least XP so no new news there. I didn't know about being able to search for your apps within Metro and I will give that a shot and see if I reconsider. Moving the scroll bar on the bottom of metro to scroll to apps is VERY different than the touch response.
Notice I didn't trash the Metro UI concept, I think it's dead on for touch devices. I just think they can and should improve on the non-touch side where honestly most folks (and companies) do not need/want it... yet. Just like not every company embraces 64 bit OSes yet because they have yet to exceed the 4GB limitation. Again, just sharing my personal thoughts and those that I've heard at corporate levels so far. Not all of us are fortunate to be able to use the same OS at home and work. Many of us will always be behind the times in technology at the office - even if we work in IT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't know me nor my personality. I think my choice of word is justified, nor did I call you it. I have not used the start button for 18 years, only about 10, but 10 years of start button usage I was able to throw away like an empty chocolate bar wrapper
I am running 8.0 not 8.1. Toolbar is working fine here. I also prefer a clean desktop, always have done, I do have My Computer, recycle bin and my account folder otherwise its empty.
You dont have to move the bar along the bottom of the start bar. On a multitouch trackpad (as on most windows 8 laptops and a few 7 laptops too, or a USB one) a 2 finger horizontal swipe, alternately it will respond to the scroll wheel on your mouse (or the scroll region on non multitouch trackpads or a 2 finger vertical swipe) and a 3rd option is to simply move your mouse against the edge and as you try to move the mouse further it scrolls in that direction. This works in apps too (although a few apps don't respond to moving the mouse against the edge in my experience, most do though).
The search function has actually changed between 8.0 and 8.1. In 8.0 start typing at metro it starts searching your PC by default but segregates results in apps, settings and files. Most desktop applications with a proper installer get listed under apps, a few things like putty or minecraft which dont have proper installers get lumped into files. In 8.1 it goes back to the old windows 7 style search without segregating the results. Both still have individual searches for store, bing etc (actually, here on 8.0 google chrome is listed as a searchable app too which is kinda neat, never noticed that until now). I find it incredibly quick to find things this way, just hit the windows key and type "beam" and its already listed Start BeamNG.Drive and Uninstall BeamNG.Drive as launchable applications, if I was searching for minecraft (pinned to start) I would need an extra click unfortunately but on 8.1 I wouldn't.
My only major metro complaints are lack of apps, lack of serial port access in the WinRT API (whether that be hardware, USB or bluetooth, not that windows distinguishes), blocking of localhost TCP or UDP connections (or any other network connection) and that control panel and file browsing should also be available in metro if metro is to be a viable system. On this machine yeah, perhaps I would rather use control panel in desktop mode, but it should be available on metro too. Lack of apps isn't something microsoft can do much about, that is entirely down to 3rd parties. I went to make an app but sadly microsoft say no serial ports and my application required it, I had a workaround which was to make the app communicate with a desktop application over a network and have the desktop application use a serial port, but thats both a) awkward and b) limiting as localhost is no longer possible so the desktop app would need to run on a second device which kinda defeats the point. I think 8.1 adds bluetooth RfComm support, it is possible to build up bluetooth SPP support in user code atop RfComm so at least 8.1 would allow bluetooth serial to an extent.
SixSixSevenSeven said:
I went to make an app but sadly microsoft say no serial ports and my application required it, I had a workaround which was to make the app communicate with a desktop application over a network and have the desktop application use a serial port, but thats both a) awkward and b) limiting as localhost is no longer possible so the desktop app would need to run on a second device which kinda defeats the point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried marshaling your data through the file system? Apps could communicate through metro app's local storage. It's hacky and it may require fiddling with permissions, but it could work depending on your latency requirements.
SixSixSevenSeven said:
You don't know me nor my personality. I think my choice of word is justified, nor did I call you it. I have not used the start button for 18 years, only about 10, but 10 years of start button usage I was able to throw away like an empty chocolate bar wrapper.
You dont have to move the bar along the bottom of the start bar. On a multitouch trackpad (as on most windows 8 laptops and a few 7 laptops too, or a USB one) a 2 finger horizontal swipe, alternately it will respond to the scroll wheel on your mouse (or the scroll region on non multitouch trackpads or a 2 finger vertical swipe) and a 3rd option is to simply move your mouse against the edge and as you try to move the mouse further it scrolls in that direction. This works in apps too (although a few apps don't respond to moving the mouse against the edge in my experience, most do though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't say you meant it to me, just that there are a lot of people who would disagree with your thoughts. Please keep in mind - from a TS perspective we are outliers. From a corporate standpoint they have to look at the lowest common denominator - the users who muddle through using a computer just to get the everyday things done. They don't have a choice but to do that or not work. Not everyone even in Gen Y or the Millennials are tech savvy. (Women are sadly still behind the curve, something I'm going to make sure my kids avoid. Knowledge is power IMO.)
Your second paragraph is mainly targeting, again, a different segment than who I'm talking about. My concern is with the users that have box, wired KB/mouse and one screen and need it as simple as possible to do their job. These folks - some of which I am related to - are quite happy with their 2009 Core 2 Quad PC because it plays video and lets them browse the internet. Even if I build them another PC - and I did on the cheap recently - they have yet to touch it over the old system because they're comfortable with it. Ironic because you solve all their complaints and they still stick with what they know.
SixSixSevenSeven said:
I went to make an app but sadly microsoft say no serial ports and my application required it, I had a workaround which was to make the app communicate with a desktop application over a network and have the desktop application use a serial port, but thats both a) awkward and b) limiting as localhost is no longer possible so the desktop app would need to run on a second device which kinda defeats the point. I think 8.1 adds bluetooth RfComm support, it is possible to build up bluetooth SPP support in user code atop RfComm so at least 8.1 would allow bluetooth serial to an extent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What were you trying to use via serial? USB storage access? If so I think they're trying to pigeonhole it to the sever (SkyDrive) as that seems to be the way that it goes. All the reason why I keep very few apps with data on my Note 2 - and those that I do keep data locally.
daniel-s said:
Have you tried marshaling your data through the file system? Apps could communicate through metro app's local storage. It's hacky and it may require fiddling with permissions, but it could work depending on your latency requirements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hacky indeed, but then so was my first thought. Latency is an issue, but file systems might *just* do it actually. Would have to think about that a bit more.
garwynn said:
What were you trying to use via serial? USB storage access? If so I think they're trying to pigeonhole it to the sever (SkyDrive) as that seems to be the way that it goes. All the reason why I keep very few apps with data on my Note 2 - and those that I do keep data locally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not heard of USB storage being done through an old fashioned serial/COM port which is what I wanted to use. Some people do still use their old RS232 ports or similar. In my case, I was initially aiming to have a serial terminal which could be attached to a raspberry pi, I was also planning a remote control type app aim at robots powered by arduinos and other microcontrollers. Communication from PC to microcontroller is almost always serial, even the arduino boards which supposedly have a USB port on them then have a USB>Serial adaptor before communication with a microcontroller (FTDI on the nano, an ATMega8U on the uno which is then programmed to bit-bang USB before comms with the ATMega328 powering the uno itself and a few others on 3rd party boards such as the CP2100 series IC's, a few boards don't have USB ports at all and require an external serial adaptor).
Linux can commonly be setup to display the shell over a serial port, the raspberry pi does this by default, by addition of a serial cable between the pi GPIO and another PC (with appropriate adaptors for the 3.3v TTL on the pi and whatever is on the host PC) you can run software such as PuTTY as an alternative to SSH. This is commonly done on servers connected to the internet which may have SSH disabled for security reasons as an attacker would be required to have physical access to the machines.
SixSixSevenSeven said:
Hacky indeed, but then so was my first thought. Latency is an issue, but file systems might *just* do it actually. Would have to think about that a bit more.
I've not heard of USB storage being done through an old fashioned serial/COM port which is what I wanted to use. Some people do still use their old RS232 ports or similar. In my case, I was initially aiming to have a serial terminal which could be attached to a raspberry pi, I was also planning a remote control type app aim at robots powered by arduinos and other microcontrollers. Communication from PC to microcontroller is almost always serial, even the arduino boards which supposedly have a USB port on them then have a USB>Serial adaptor before communication with a microcontroller (FTDI on the nano, an ATMega8U on the uno which is then programmed to bit-bang USB before comms with the ATMega328 powering the uno itself and a few others on 3rd party boards such as the CP2100 series IC's, a few boards don't have USB ports at all and require an external serial adaptor).
Linux can commonly be setup to display the shell over a serial port, the raspberry pi does this by default, by addition of a serial cable between the pi GPIO and another PC (with appropriate adaptors for the 3.3v TTL on the pi and whatever is on the host PC) you can run software such as PuTTY as an alternative to SSH. This is commonly done on servers connected to the internet which may have SSH disabled for security reasons as an attacker would be required to have physical access to the machines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old AS/400 systems used a serial connection to get to the system controller and the fix was to use the USB to serial dongle. Made for a pain in the butt because very few devices keep a 9 pin serial port on them anymore. (Drivers were a pain to find though). Probably the only way you'll be able to pull that off going further - it seems very (VERY) few boards have the 9 pin serial anymore, even on docking stations.
garwynn said:
Old AS/400 systems used a serial connection to get to the system controller and the fix was to use the USB to serial dongle. Made for a pain in the butt because very few devices keep a 9 pin serial port on them anymore. (Drivers were a pain to find though). Probably the only way you'll be able to pull that off going further - it seems very (VERY) few boards have the 9 pin serial anymore, even on docking stations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I have no problem using a serial port from windows 8 desktop. Microsoft just don't allow its usage from a windows 8 app.
My desktop PC which isnt even 2 years old does actually have both a full RS232 port and parallel port. I also have an FTDI cable (USB > 3.3v TTL serial) which works fine with my laptop, desktop and the pi itself actually (full FTDI drivers under raspbian and windows 8). Both of my arduinos are arduino nano's so also use an FTDI chip (using the same drivers as each other and the cable I have). One of my other microcontrollers is a bit of a pain but you can get it working with windows 8 too, have to disable driver enforcement before you can install them. Regardless, all 3 microcontrollers and on my desktop its native port are listed in device manager as usable COM ports, all of them work fine too.
One place you will still regularly find a DB9-RS232 port is scientific hardware. Many sensors/probes/data collection devices for use with a PC communicate via serial. Older devices (and a few new ones) from a full RS232 connector, some now use 3.3v or 5v instead and a few are advertised as being USB but in reality have USB>serial adaptors of some sort contained within.
Many android devices have a serial port available (usually 3.3v) via the headphone jack (often just sticking a resistor between mic and ground to trigger left and right audio function changes) or USB port (similar technique as the headphones) or more rarely the microSD
If anyone is interested in the podcast I mentioned, Windows Weekly, the URL is: http://leoville.tv/podcasts/ww.xml
In the lastest episode, Mary Jo Foley of here: http://www.zdnet.com/topic-windows/
tends to tell what's going on inside Microsoft. If you listened to back episodes she was talking about Blue right after 8 was released, she spills details really early and they do come true.
The other major host is Paul Thurott on the podcast, who writes here: http://www.winbeta.org/
The last thing they said, just as e.mote calculated, was that the company is in disaray and will slow down significantly since the Nokia acquisition and that it could have been an 8.2 but for a brand refresh they could skip to 9. 9 in that case would be a mixture of returning some of the key 7 features and polishing 8. I'll post here if there's any more, same if you guys know anything! I'm interested to see how this develops.
I remember going to the Win 7 launch at the time. One of the first things the Micro guy said on stage was that 7 was 'Vista fixed'. I couldn't believe he said that on stage. So instead of a fixer service pack they jumped to 7 and it was partially a brand refresh. Who knows now?
Envy TouchPad NagashMod
Envy TouchPad is an open source project.
I found the source on the web some time ago, I don't know where or from who.
Please if you are the original author or if you know some reference tell me.
I modded this software from source (with visual studio 2012) to add some new features:
- Gestures for windows 10 (switch desktop with 3 finger left-right, show all desktops.. etc..)
- Options to disable Scrolling (keep driver original scrolling)
- Reverse scrolling
Original EnvyTouchPad features:
- Enable two fingr scrolling (vertical and horizontal)
- Settings for scrolling: speed, acceleration, inertia.
- Can scroll background windows (like mac! Windows 10 introduce this feature but won't works with original synaptics driver scrolling)
- Can scroll vertical and horizontal concurrently (without raise the hand, like multitouch)
- Set action for tapping with 1, 2 and 3 fingers.
- Set actions for 3 finger scroll (up, down, right, left)
- etc..
This software should works with all SYNAPTICS TUCHPADS !!
I'm using it on my lenovo yoga 13.
NB: if you want to use these feature correctly, you have to disable the same feature offered by original touchpad driver.
NB: YOU NEED Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 x86 (from microsoft, link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679# )
Thanks to the original author :good:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source code uploaded on github
github project: EnvyTouchpad-NagashMod
Reserved1
I have an Asus F555L, I use Asus Smart Gesture atm. Can this work on my laptop too?
KreNtal said:
I have an Asus F555L, I use Asus Smart Gesture atm. Can this work on my laptop too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, you have to check if your touchpad driver is based on Synaptics.
Usually touchpads are based on Synaptics or Elan.
You can simply download the release.zip and try to start the software.
There is not an installer, just launch and see.
If your PC has synaptics drivers the software will run, either will launch an error message.
NB: the program start as tray icon, as shown in the screen attached
Let me know if it works!
nagash91 said:
I don't know, you have to check if your touchpad driver is based on Synaptics.
Usually touchpads are based on Synaptics or Elan.
You can simply download the release.zip and try to start the software.
There is not an installer, just launch and see.
If your PC has synaptics drivers the software will run, either will launch an error message.
NB: the program start as tray icon, as shown in the screen attached
Let me know if it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it doesn't work SynCom.dll isn't on my PC so I think I am using Elan drivers
KreNtal said:
Unfortunately it doesn't work SynCom.dll isn't on my PC so I think I am using Elan drivers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably have Elan touchpad
Hi, your tool is fantastic, thank you very much. In the next release is possible for you to add the option (in the actions section) to launch also an executable of my choice (i can pick it...) and the windows 10 action bar?
Thank you again.
DD
Hello.
Can this work under Windows 7? I don't love Windows, but my studies and future work would require it until I become a mad genious that improves the electronics software and others or I get totally insane. Whatever happens sooner, probably the first!
Are you planning to submit it in GitHub/GitLab? Maybe others could be interested. You would be surprised how ****ty most trackpad software configuration is...
I find trackpads quite cumbersome, but I managed to configure a it my way. Most people would probably hate how I use it,, because I reversed it.
I need to use trackballs and mechanical keyboards because of RSI risks, I love them too . I would sell my body to have a builtin mechanical keyboard and a very hires trackball, but I'm fatty so there's no hope to get at least the MSI Titan
I'm trying to study electronics, maybe I someday will learn that, CAM and CNC to do a custom design. I don't care if it's more bulky, but a mechanical keyboard (I love Model M, but that would be insane even for me), a custom very hires trackball (maybe mixing both could be a good idea, like the early Steam controller) or even 3D controller, a tablet an a lot better battery and some extras related to electronics and more
But I have o learn a lot before be able to do crazy projects like that...
thanks a lot for your interesting software.
I like this, however I like the built in driver config for scrolling with two fingers. I have to check the "Disable two finger scrolling management" box to get it to work right, but when I reboot it doesn't save the config.
Any ideas? Good work though. I love having three finger gestures to change desktops.
Hi
This works, MSI GL62 6QF synaptics touchpad
but the problem is:
the 3 fingers gesture are programmed to work if the fingers move in a parallel way
this isn't all easy, could you add the option to use this with fingers not moving in a parallel way?
for example, if I move my finger horizontally while placing them next to each other, I would like that to be right/lift gesture
now it doesn't do anything unless i put my fingers in a vertical way
Could you please do that?
Is this the source https://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10e73hc18ierh
Awesome man, works perfectly. Was looking for it from a long time. Thanks a lot.
@nagash91 Any hopes to release the source code in GitHub?
Anyone interested in resuscitating this project? Open Source drivers for Windows are cool too
timofonic said:
@nagash91 Any hopes to release the source code in GitHub?
Anyone interested in resuscitating this project? Open Source drivers for Windows are cool too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uploaded the project on github with the source code
https://github.com/nagash91/EnvyTouchpad-NagashMod
nagash91 said:
Uploaded the project on github with the source code
https://github.com/nagash91/EnvyTouchpad-NagashMod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an incredible little gem. Now my Vaio touchpad compares to my MacBook!!!
The app could use some speed optimization (a bit slow to start on boot, medium effect on boot according to task manager).
Also, a more generic name like Synaptics Gestures would be nice
Can you turn this into a native app? Without visual C runtime. I think this is what’s needed to fix performance.
Dr. Hurt said:
This is an incredible little gem. Now my Vaio touchpad compares to my MacBook!!!
The app could use some speed optimization (a bit slow to start on boot, medium effect on boot according to task manager).
Also, a more generic name like Synaptics Gestures would be nice
Can you turn this into a native app? Without visual C runtime. I think this is what’s needed to fix performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I didn't created this app from scratch: I just modified the Envy TouchPad code that I found on-line some years ago (this is the reason of the name ).
I made this mod for myself and for my brother's notebook, later I decided to share on XDA.
I don't think I'll convert this in a native C++ application (don't have the time and I almost don't use windows anymore).
BTW with the public source code, anyone who want is free to do that
Thanks. I expect more development
Hi All,
I am wondering if anybody here had any success with getting their Yoga Book to work nicely with the GIMP photo editor at all? I can use it to draw, but as a mouse with no pressure. I went through a few tutorials online on how to get the GIMP to work with Bamboo/Wacom tablets, but it doesn't seem to work with the Yoga Book, as the drivers aren't being seen by GIMP or DirectInput for whatever reason.
I am more of a casual artist, and so I don't feel like I want to fork out money for say Photoshop, when the GIMP can for the most part do what I'd like. Plus, I am mostly an open source guy, using Linux as my main daily driver on my home PC, that I am fairly used to the GIMP already.
Thanks!
kveroneau said:
Hi All,
I am wondering if anybody here had any success with getting their Yoga Book to work nicely with the GIMP photo editor at all? I can use it to draw, but as a mouse with no pressure. I went through a few tutorials online on how to get the GIMP to work with Bamboo/Wacom tablets, but it doesn't seem to work with the Yoga Book, as the drivers aren't being seen by GIMP or DirectInput for whatever reason.
I am more of a casual artist, and so I don't feel like I want to fork out money for say Photoshop, when the GIMP can for the most part do what I'd like. Plus, I am mostly an open source guy, using Linux as my main daily driver on my home PC, that I am fairly used to the GIMP already.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I indeed had the same issues with GIMP (also with Krita and MyPaint - I am open source guy as well ) a while ago. The trick is to install specific drives from Wacom. Here is the link (or at least I hope it is, I tried this few months ago ): http://us.wacom.com/en/feeldriver/ EDIT: Please note that this driver might change the way stylus behaves and might not work correctly.
Just little bit of advice/side note; I tried all thinkable painting/photoshop software on my yoga - both open source and piad one (trial versions) - and thou I use open source software daily in my work (GIMP and Inkscape) it is not the same on yoga. Small screen and Atom processor is not very optimal - it works, no doubt about it, but it just isn't same as on the desktop. I hate to admit it, but after a while I ended with older version of Sketchbook Pro - it runs very well and has nice easy UI and reasonably powerful tools, which is perfect for light sketching.
Thanks. So, I tried installing the driver, and it did install successfully. However, GIMP is still unable to work with pressure sensitivity. On the bright side, the Halo keyboard, and touchscreen are unaffected and still work as expected. The only issue from installing the driver is that now when I use the pen on the create, I still a full white windows cursor on the screen which is very very annoying.... I very much preferred the unobtrusive translucent circle. I went into the settings to attempt to return said circle, but it resulted in total failure as the annoying white Windows cursor remained. This now renders any drawing or writing activity now annoying as the windows cursor is an eye sore and just gets in the way and blocks whatever is behind it.
I am writing this on the Yoga book, and I'm just noticing something with the keyboard. I am a very fast typer, and I am feeling the hepatic feedback from each key press, but the click sound is only heard after I stop typing quickly. Not sure if this is related to the driver or if it was like this prior.
I am now considering removing said driver, however, I am unsure if it completely replaced the Lenovo one, and if I remove it, will it just turn this machine into a brick, and needing a full factory reset to get everything back to normal.
For anyone else reading about this driver, I highly recommend to avoid installing it until these specific quirks can be figured out, and if uninstalling it after will result in a non-functional wacom touch screen and create pad. I am really hoping that the keyboard part of the create pad is part of a completely separate driver, and the pen button/light is just a toggle between two completely separate hardware modes. I'll see if I can use a restore point perhaps to return back the previous functionality. I am hoping that Lenovo themselves issues an update for this rather great piece of technology so that we don't need to download wacom or third party non-Lenvovo tested drivers. This device is fairly unique and it's hard to see a generic driver keeping all the customization from Lenovo working 100%.
UPDATE: Okay, so I was unable to remove the driver using the standard add/remove program thing in Windows, which seemed to have restored the original functionality. My cursor is back to a nice small circle when I hover or use the create pad with the pen, which is much more favorable. I can live without pressure sensitivity in GIMP, as long as the sketching apps have pressure and show me a non-obtrusive circle, I can easily export said sketches into PNG format and import that into the GIMP to further edit using more advanced tools.
kveroneau said:
Thanks. So, I tried installing the driver, and it did install successfully. However, GIMP is still unable to work with pressure sensitivity. On the bright side, the Halo keyboard, and touchscreen are unaffected and still work as expected. The only issue from installing the driver is that now when I use the pen on the create, I still a full white windows cursor on the screen which is very very annoying.... I very much preferred the unobtrusive translucent circle. I went into the settings to attempt to return said circle, but it resulted in total failure as the annoying white Windows cursor remained. This now renders any drawing or writing activity now annoying as the windows cursor is an eye sore and just gets in the way and blocks whatever is behind it.
I am writing this on the Yoga book, and I'm just noticing something with the keyboard. I am a very fast typer, and I am feeling the hepatic feedback from each key press, but the click sound is only heard after I stop typing quickly. Not sure if this is related to the driver or if it was like this prior.
I am now considering removing said driver, however, I am unsure if it completely replaced the Lenovo one, and if I remove it, will it just turn this machine into a brick, and needing a full factory reset to get everything back to normal.
For anyone else reading about this driver, I highly recommend to avoid installing it until these specific quirks can be figured out, and if uninstalling it after will result in a non-functional wacom touch screen and create pad. I am really hoping that the keyboard part of the create pad is part of a completely separate driver, and the pen button/light is just a toggle between two completely separate hardware modes. I'll see if I can use a restore point perhaps to return back the previous functionality. I am hoping that Lenovo themselves issues an update for this rather great piece of technology so that we don't need to download wacom or third party non-Lenvovo tested drivers. This device is fairly unique and it's hard to see a generic driver keeping all the customization from Lenovo working 100%.
UPDATE: Okay, so I was unable to remove the driver using the standard add/remove program thing in Windows, which seemed to have restored the original functionality. My cursor is back to a nice small circle when I hover or use the create pad with the pen, which is much more favorable. I can live without pressure sensitivity in GIMP, as long as the sketching apps have pressure and show me a non-obtrusive circle, I can easily export said sketches into PNG format and import that into the GIMP to further edit using more advanced tools.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, sorry to hear that you had issues, I did not noticed any when I tried the driver and pressure in GIMP/Krita/MyPaint was working - if I remember correctly, there was new wacom icon under Control Panel, did you tried adjust this? Also in GIMP you need to enable, and correctly set, "Dynamic" setting under brush tool for pressure sensitivity to work.
Anyway, I edited my previous post with warning about drivers so that anyone would know immediately. Again sorry for the issues, but from my point of view it worked.
Talsi said:
Hey, sorry to hear that you had issues, I did not noticed any when I tried the driver and pressure in GIMP/Krita/MyPaint was working - if I remember correctly, there was new wacom icon under Control Panel, did you tried adjust this? Also in GIMP you need to enable, and correctly set, "Dynamic" setting under brush tool for pressure sensitivity to work.
Anyway, I edited my previous post with warning about drivers so that anyone would know immediately. Again sorry for the issues, but from my point of view it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did notice the new settings under control panel, but there was nothing there but pen button related options, of which the Lenovo pen has no buttons. I tried a few options in GIMP, and the Wacom tablet did display itself as an Input device. I figure I could have gotten it working, but having a full Windows cursor when using the create pad was just a bit distracting in my eyes. This cursor persisted in programs which it is normally absent such as the Windows built-in Sketchpad which is one of the easiest and quickest programs to launch for quick jotting of notes and sketches. I tried changing a few options in both Settings and Control panel, but the Windows cursor remained.
Thank for your help anyways, I'm sure this driver will be useful to other people.