SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
Hi all, I've written a few programs and a Linux kernel module that allow a SAM Coupe to be used as a keyboard under Linux. To use this, you'll need the SAM Comms interface and its driver disk, and a serial cable. For the programs, and information on how to use them, see: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wholehog/stuart/samkbd/index.html It's very slow at the moment (but good enough for me to write this email). I will try to write a faster version in machine code. BTW, it uses the standard PC layout. If you want to use the SAM's layout, it's best to create a new keymap and load it with loadkeys. Questions and feedback are welcome! Cheers, -- Stuart Brady
Re: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
OMG, why would anyone like to use it this way? - Original Message - From: "Stuart Brady" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 2:22 AM Subject: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux Hi all, I've written a few programs and a Linux kernel module that allow a SAM Coupe to be used as a keyboard under Linux. To use this, you'll need the SAM Comms interface and its driver disk, and a serial cable. For the programs, and information on how to use them, see: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wholehog/stuart/samkbd/index.html It's very slow at the moment (but good enough for me to write this email). I will try to write a faster version in machine code. BTW, it uses the standard PC layout. If you want to use the SAM's layout, it's best to create a new keymap and load it with loadkeys. Questions and feedback are welcome! Cheers, -- Stuart Brady
Re: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
On Tue, Aug 02, 2005 at 01:39:25PM +0200, Aley Keprt wrote: > Stuart Brady <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I've written a few programs and a Linux kernel module that allow a SAM > > Coupe to be used as a keyboard under Linux. > [...] > > OMG, why would anyone like to use it this way? I was wondering if someone would ask that. :) Well, I can think of a number of reasons. The main one is that it looks cool. Also, the SAM's keyboard is fairly good -- better than some AT, PS/2 and USB keyboards and almost all laptop keyboards. Mainly, I wanted to see how easily it could be done. I can imagine using this if I want take my SAM somewhere along with a laptop, to avoid having to take a PS/2 keyboard as well. If/when I learn to drive and get a car, that won't be such a big deal. BTW, it should be fairly easy to port this to the Spectrum (with the Interface 1), although given the quality of the Spectrum and Spectrum+ keyboards, it might not be terribly useful... The kernel module could also be used with other machines, or for receiving keyboard events over a network. Cheers, -- Stuart Brady
Re: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
It is clever... I don't think I'd use it myself, but it is an interesting idea :) --- Aley Keprt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > OMG, why would anyone like to use it this way? > > > - Original Message - > From: "Stuart Brady" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: > Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 2:22 AM > Subject: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux > > > > Hi all, > > > > I've written a few programs and a Linux kernel > module that allow a SAM > > Coupe to be used as a keyboard under Linux. > > > > To use this, you'll need the SAM Comms interface > and its driver disk, > > and a serial cable. > > > > For the programs, and information on how to use > them, see: > > > http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wholehog/stuart/samkbd/index.html > > > > It's very slow at the moment (but good enough for > me to write this > > email). I will try to write a faster version in > machine code. > > > > BTW, it uses the standard PC layout. If you want > to use the SAM's > > layout, it's best to create a new keymap and load > it with loadkeys. > > > > Questions and feedback are welcome! > > > > Cheers, > > -- > > Stuart Brady > > > > > > > > >
Re: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
Hmmm - imagine a Spectrum emulator working with a Spectrum acting as a keyboard? :)
RE: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
David Ledbury wrote: > Hmmm - imagine a Spectrum emulator working with a Spectrum > acting as a keyboard? :) I daren't suggest Stuart try using SimCoupe with his, so I'll have to try it myself! I think it's an interesting project, even if it's not all that useful to most people. People felt the same way about my Lenslok emulator (and were right). Si
Re: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
--- Stuart Brady <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi all, > > I've written a few programs and a Linux kernel > module that allow a SAM > Coupe to be used as a keyboard under Linux. > > To use this, you'll need the SAM Comms interface and > its driver disk, > and a serial cable. > > For the programs, and information on how to use > them, see: > http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wholehog/stuart/samkbd/index.html > > It's very slow at the moment (but good enough for me > to write this > email). I will try to write a faster version in > machine code. > > BTW, it uses the standard PC layout. If you want to > use the SAM's > layout, it's best to create a new keymap and load it > with loadkeys. > > Questions and feedback are welcome! > > Cheers, > -- > Stuart Brady > Wow ! seriously..., nice one... haven`t stopped smiling yet since I read this and I don`t even run Linux :) (ahem, yet ) ___ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com
Re: SAM Coupe Keyboard Relay for Linux
On Tue, Aug 02, 2005 at 03:27:43PM +0100, Simon Owen wrote: > David Ledbury wrote: > > Hmmm - imagine a Spectrum emulator working with a Spectrum > > acting as a keyboard? :) > > I daren't suggest Stuart try using SimCoupe with his, so I'll have to try it > myself! I've just tried it... actually, I was testing to see whether it would work in X, but SimCoupe happened to be running already. :-) One problem with SimCoupe: if you're using a real SAM as the keyboard, you presumably don't want the "SAM" mapping mode... but the "raw" mode doesn't map the "-=[];',./" keys to the keys in corresponding positions on a SAM. (BTW, I've just tried using Dvorak in SimCoupe and it works as I'd expect -- the emulated SAM stays with QWERTY, but the UI does the right thing. Nice one, Si!) The other glitch I've noticed with SimCoupe (but it applies to other programs too) is with caps lock... ideally, it should not change X's caps lock state (except in GUI, obviously). I can imagine that being SDL's fault, though. The last problem is with my code... You can't press the numeric keypad keys as they've been mapped to the function keys. > I think it's an interesting project, even if it's not all that useful to > most people. People felt the same way about my Lenslok emulator (and were > right). Thanks. :-) The Lenslok emulator looks cool, although I've not used anything that needs it, yet. Cheers, -- Stuart Brady
