Software for conveniently located mouse buttons (one handed navigation)

[Guest]

[tanjit]

Not sure how many people like the location of the mouse buttons on the OQO.  Before buying, I had read a few reviews lamenting the distant location of the mouse buttons from the track stick.  However having used the OQO in practice, I think the placement is great for two handed use, but sometimes would like to have the mouse buttons closer to the track stick so I can surf one handed while drinking or eating with the other

So why not have the best of both worlds...  This evening I decided to write a short app in C++ to hook into the keyboard events and send mouse clicks whenever a specific key(s) is used.  Though almost any key could be used, I used the keys nearest the track stick that my thumb could reach conveniently.  These were the [;/:] for left click and [‘/”] for right click, they behave as mouse buttons only when the CTRL button is locked (see attached).  I suppose I could allow the user to toggle between the two modes with a hot key combination or onscreen mode selection; but I liked the idea of using the OQO’s green SmartLock key light as a visual cue. 

The new “mouse” keys allow me to use one hand to hold the OQO and completely control the mouse.  And if I need to enter text for a new Google search or go to a different web site, I just toggle off the CTRL button and the [;/:] and [‘/”] buttons return to normal; I still pretty much need both hands to type text on the OQO anyways.

If anyone is interested I can complete testing on my OQO running Vista Ultimate and post the executable.  I can also test the code on XP but not on an OQO with XP (I don’t have one).  Of course all this will have to wait a few days since I just got the RMA for my flickering screen and will be shipping my 02 to Texas for repairs

[vadsoom]

I know what you mean. I miss the trackstick "click to select" capability that the 01 had. I'm an industrial user and frequently have hands very soiled with dirt or grease. I want keep my OQO as clean as possible so the trackstick push to select function from my 01 that made it so much easier to navigate using my "cleanest" hand.   

I wonder if an app could be written to restore this capability....

[02luvr1441]

It already has this functionality. it's fn + something (maybe j?) to enable it, can't remember at the moment.

[tanjit]

02luvr1441, uh isn't that only on the 01 series, fn + z?

Anyways a quick update, I forgot that CTRL+'mouse clicks' can have special meaning so I made the capability to turn on/off the "key to mouse button" function by using CTRL+M to toggle the capability on/off. 

I tried it out briefly (can't stare at the flickering screen long w/o getting a headache) before wrapping up my OQO for RMA shipment and it works pretty well for navigation.  I use the [;/:] and [‘/”] buttons for left and right clicks and use the left, right, up, down arrows or the touch scrollers for scrolling around a page.  Pretty convenient and easy to use with one hand; though I wonder if I'll get carpal-thumb syndrome with extended use

When I get the unit back I may add another 'hot' key to enable mouse dragging with one hand.  Any suggestions?  What would be a useful implementation?

[Tekara]

Yeah, actually, on my Treo I use a hack called "treokeyhack" which helps speed up my input considerably.

How it works is that if I press and hold a key it replaces the character with an uppercase version. If I rapidly double tap the key it replaces it with the "option character" which is punctuation or numbers. The durations are adjustable and range from 180ms-1000ms, I usually use around 200-300ms for the two different ones.

So on the OQO that should translate into holding the character for an uppercase and double tapping for the Fn input.

Having this on the OQO would be an incredible boon for speeding up my typing!

[02luvr1441]

02luvr1441, uh isn't that only on the 01 series, fn + z?

Haha maybe that's where I heard it.  Never tried it.  Pretty sure though.... maybe not.

[3goldens]

I would definitly be intetested in the program.

I also wish someone would improve the rotate program to reduce te draun on the cpu....

[tanjit]

Tekara, 3goldens,

The 'treokeyhack' should be doable.  Give me a week or two depending on when the OQO comes back.  Will keep you posted.

[Kenrick]

I also wish someone would improve the rotate program to reduce te draun on the cpu....

We need the OQO SDK to do this...

[mhoepfin]

I've been looking everywhere for an app like this!

[3goldens]

I also wish someone would improve the rotate program to reduce te draun on the cpu....

We need the OQO SDK to do this...

can we get whatever that is?

[Kenrick]

I also wish someone would improve the rotate program to reduce te draun on the cpu....

We need the OQO SDK to do this...

can we get whatever that is?

Still waiting for it to be released!

[3goldens]

what is the problem?

[tanjit]

Tekara, 3goldens, et al.

I have implemented the "OQO" version of the treokeyhack requested, along with simulated mouse keys.  I find the simulated mouse keys and double tap key features most useful.  If you two and maybe a couple other experienced users are interested, I would like to have some input (or testing) before I post it.  Please send me an email with an email address where I can send the app if you are so inclined.  After some user input, if there is interest I will post the app as freeware.  Remember I can only receive one email at a time on this forum.

I have an OQO 02 using Vista Ultimate and have been testing it on that device, I also ran it on XP using a Sony Vaio laptop but I don’t have XP on the OQO.
It runs as a regular app right now (input.jpg), I may create an install as a service later.
 
A brief summary:

The mouse modifications involve:
Simulated Left mouse button [; :]
Simulated Right mouse button  [‘ ”]
Simulated Mouse buttons lock in the down position if held down for the duration specified by “Mouse Down Toggle Time.”  Click the mouse button again to toggle the button

The keyboard modifications involve:
Double-tap a key for the Fn+key option
note: Fn options implemented are the keys involved in character input, eg. A double-tap on ‘B‘ will NOT decrease brightness, but a double-tap on ‘Q’ will output ‘!’
Hold down a key for the preset time to capitalize the character pressed.

The features can be activated or deactivated using the GUI or on the keyboard using:
CTRL + [; :] to toggle mouse functionality
CTRL +  SPACE to toggle keyboard functionality

What I found most useful so far:
-the double tap for the Fn options
-the mouse down lock, which enables me to drag a window w/o holding down a button, or lock onto a scroll bar or other and navigate a web page or document
-the proximity of the simulated mouse keys to the track stick allows me to web surf with one hand and is more convenient when my OQO is mounted in the car (mounting bracket bought at buildyourumpc.com).  It is much easier to reach over with my right hand and navigate.

Keyboard mods are not active if SHIFT, Fn, CTL, ALT keys are down, that is the keyboard keys will behave like regular keys when any of those buttons are down

In Vista I recommend running with Admin privileges, Right click on app and select run as administrator.  If you don't do this some apps like the "OQO Wireless Dashboard" may not receive focus when clicked on.

Known issues:
A command prompt (console window) will not receive focus if clicked on using the simulated mouse button.  Work around is to click the console icon on the task bar.

[Tekara]

Awesome, thanks for the work!

I'm still waiting for my unit which I sent back at the beginning of last week so I can't test it out just yet, but I'm looking forward to it.