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ETP

Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 1050 Location: UK
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Posted: Sun 11 Nov 2012, 04:45 Post subject:
How to give ANY Pup a 10 foot user interface. (Magoo-MK7) Subject description: For the elderly new to computing & anyone with poor vision. |
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This pet (Magoo) enables a very simple interface targeted at small net books running with a resolution of 1024x600 where it will almost fill the screen. It is also suitable for larger monitors and indeed does not look out of place on a 1920x1080 panel. (See screen-shots) It is lightweight and similar to "Eldy" but does not require Java or registration. In essence it is just a program launcher.
It is based on an original idea (Noob) by forum member Lobster whose code provided the starting point. His 2009 post can be found here:
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=363514#363514
I would also like to thank forum member Greengeek who assisted with testing and made a number of useful suggestions.
Features:
1. W.W.W., N E W S: and F-C A S T make use of the default browser to provide the Google home page, Google news and Yahoo weather forecast relevant to your location. (Tested with Chromium, Firefox & SeaMonkey)
2. E-M A I L - Launches your default email client.
3. SKYPE - Launches Skype4 when installed as a pet or sfs. (Provision is also included to launch a static build)
4. D A T E - Launches OSMO calendar which is installed in most recent Pups.
5. C A L C - Launches Galculator (A calculator) pre-configured with a suitable window size. This is also in most Pups.
6. P I C S - Launches Viewnior - a custom test image (1024x600) is included and installed by the pet.
7. The PEN & PAPER icon launches Abiword.
8. The two large BLUE BUTTONS shutdown the PC. (It is present on both screens should a new user close one of the two menus)
Installation:
Install the .pet then restart X. (With some Pups a second restart of X may be needed to trigger auto start) - (Uninstall via PPM)
Recommendations:
1. If you are using an LCD do install the Fontwizard pet - it can make a significant difference. It can be found here:
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=657568#657568
It is included in the latest Slacko and is also available in the Lucid repository.
2. If you do have poor eyesight (or do not wish to end up with it) the tweaks in this "HOW TO" may help:
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=81413
3. If you use a small net book you may wish to set your JWM taskbar to auto hide in order to maximise your real estate.
(Desktop/JWM configuration manager/tray management/tray auto hide option/---turn on)
Final thoughts:
1. Advanced users with poor vision may wish to forgo the two large blue shutdown buttons and substitute programs of their choice. Icons and scripts for Umplayer and RSS Tickr are already built in so changing icons for them just requires simple edits to the menu files (noob_front_end / noob_back_end). The Tickr-0.6.0 pet can be found here:
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=77585&sid=b845085505e9ed6813996a8d00add099
2. Greengeek and I are considering issuing an ISO for those who favour a ready made solution OOTB. "Magoo Pup - The Puppy with a 10-foot user interface" would be based on a future official release of Puppy and would include Skype/Fontwizard/Magoo plus some conservative themes, wallpaper and font tweaks. It would be suitable for use by the elderly.
3. Information on Skype4 ( pet/sfs/static) can be found in this thread:
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=642706#642706
4. This is my first stab at making a .pet and I have probably broken every rule in the book. Please go easy on me. It is primitive but functional.
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Magoo Front-End Menu |
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134.28 KB |
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3275 Time(s) |

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Magoo Back-End Menu |
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158.13 KB |
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3390 Time(s) |

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Magoo on net book 1024x600 |
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118.4 KB |
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3273 Time(s) |

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_________________ Regards ETP
Kennels
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ETP

Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 1050 Location: UK
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Posted: Sun 11 Nov 2012, 04:46 Post subject:
How to give ANY Pup a 10 foot user interface. (Magoo-MK7) |
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_________________ Regards ETP
Kennels
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Monsie

Joined: 01 Dec 2011 Posts: 633 Location: Kamloops BC Canada
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Posted: Thu 15 Nov 2012, 03:43 Post subject:
How to give ANY Pup a 10 foot user interface. (Magoo-MK7) |
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Hi ETP,
I am interested in "Magoo Pup" because you have done some testing with it on a Netbook. If you were to include this with a "future official release of Puppy" can you think of any further changes, modifications, tweaks that might be necessary so that it would be optimized for a Netbook?
Disclosure: I bought my wife a Netbook 3.5 years ago and it runs Windows XP. When XP support ends in 18 months or so, I would like to try converting the Netbook (and my wife) to run a distro that has been designed to run on a Netbook... @ 1024 X 600 screen resolution. I like the desktop interface --not that my wife is elderly at this point but because I think it better suits the smaller screen for navigation and covers most of the basics in terms of her computer usage.
Her netbook has the usual hardware: ethernet, wireless, built-in webcam, and bluetooth I think... Hmmm, I don't even know at the moment to what extent Puppy supports bluetooth... Interestingly, the webcam includes face recognition software that can be set up for login purposes... not a necessity obviously, and I have no idea whether any such technology is being actively developed for linux based operating systems.
So... what are your thoughts on setting up a Puppy Netbook?
Thanks,
Monsie
_________________ My username is pronounced: "mun-see". Derived from my surname, it was my nickname throughout high school.
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ETP

Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 1050 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu 15 Nov 2012, 06:34 Post subject:
How to give ANY Pup a 10 foot user interface. (Magoo-MK7) |
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Hi Monsie,
Thanks for your interest. Your biggest issue may be “converting” your wife. We all tend to cling on to the familiar. She therefore must be the final arbiter. There is however, plenty of time left to find an existing Pup (or one yet to emerge) that suits the hardware on your wife’s particular Net-book.
Currently Carolina may fit the bill: http://smokey01.com/carolina/pages/about.html
There is also Precise 5.4.1 and Slacko 5.4 when finished.
Your best bet is to boot the Net-book from USB stick installs of these and have your wife decide!
_________________ Regards ETP
Kennels
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greengeek

Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 4933 Location: Republic of Novo Zelande
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Posted: Thu 22 Nov 2012, 13:20 Post subject:
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The fact that this does not require Java is a major plus in my opinion. I consider that Java is a significant risk to data security and it is great that Magoo does not use it. I think Magoo is becoming a very useful tool for helping certain groups to have a comfortable and competent computing experience. I'm getting quite a buzz out of watching my elderly father get hands-on with a computer for the first time ever.
I await future developments with great interest and believe an iso version would be a great way to tailor the full Magoo experience into an easy and reliable package that needed minimal reconfiguration or additional pets.
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ETP

Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 1050 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu 29 Nov 2012, 17:38 Post subject:
How to give ANY Pup a 10 foot user interface. (Magoo-MK7) |
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Pup now available:
"Magoo Pup v5- The Puppy with a 10-foot user interface" has now been unleashed. See:
www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=82607
_________________ Regards ETP
Kennels
Last edited by ETP on Mon 10 Dec 2012, 14:29; edited 1 time in total
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ETP

Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 1050 Location: UK
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Posted: Sun 02 Dec 2012, 13:52 Post subject:
Netbook Edition Magoo-MK129 |
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Further testing has shown that whilst the MK7 pet is fine on 13 inch screens and above, netbook users may prefer something a little less imposing.
Attached below therefore is the MK129 pet specifically for netbooks. It is smaller and simpler in that there is only one menu. A menu item off desktop has been added to re-launch the Magoo interface if it is closed.
A v6 ISO that includes this new pet will also be offered. [Magoo (Netbook) Pup v6 ISO] http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=671472#671472
Edit 28th March 2013 (Previous upload was corrupt)
The Magoo-MK129 pet is now available on my server:
www.mydrive.ch
Guest login name = maddog@puppy4
Password= maddog
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charlie6

Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 1199 Location: Saint-Gérard / Walloon part of Belgium
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Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2015, 04:38 Post subject:
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Hi ETP,
thanks for this awesome app !
wanting to keep enjoying (wife's wish !! ) some backgrounds stuffs, i tried to get Magoo's background transparent: here is attached the edited script (remove the .fake.gz suffix to get the code)
reference threads (many thanks to their respective authors )
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=38608
and
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=74204
have fun
Charlie
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remove the .fake.gz suffix to get the code
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noob128_front_end.fake.gz |
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2.9 KB |
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170 Time(s) |
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greengeek

Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 4933 Location: Republic of Novo Zelande
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Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2015, 05:34 Post subject:
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That looks great. i have often wondered how I could get icons of different sizes to display on the one desktop and I like what you have done here. Looks fantastic!
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ETP

Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 1050 Location: UK
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Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2015, 09:49 Post subject:
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Hi charlie6,
Fantastic idea with loads of potential uses.
Just starting to play with it in Mousecam Pup.
A BIG thank you.
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709 Time(s) |

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42.47 KB |
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751 Time(s) |

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_________________ Regards ETP
Kennels
Last edited by ETP on Fri 20 Mar 2015, 05:35; edited 3 times in total
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Ted Dog

Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 4013 Location: Heart of Texas
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Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2015, 18:52 Post subject:
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Restarting the One-Switch project, the price points and hardware for ultra low cost computers are where they need to be.. most like base it off quirky April T2 built. Could you be available for testing and belping the 10ft or more interface with the one switch code? Have the hardware on order 50 usd so far. One question is what country do you live in? and what is the handicap device RF bands in your country? you can PM me answer.. USA is just under FM radio and share broadcast TV bands ( very low powered )
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Puppus Dogfellow

Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 1519 Location: nyc
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Posted: Mon 23 Mar 2015, 22:39 Post subject:
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Quote: |
thing three: since it (just about) uses real language to launch things, and since the language that interferes with the code can be commented out but still used to give and gain guidance, and since the text can be made absolutely enormous, and since it's possible that if they've waited this long to get into computers, they won't be feeling the lack of icons, perhaps the geany line launcher can be used to help make puppy friendlier for those whose visual acuity or general ease with computers is lacking. |
from http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=835615#835615
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just a thought, ETP.
fwiw, i mirrored your rapid pup, but since we both use google drive, i think it's more like a link unless for whatever reason yours is taken down. you make some impressive stuff/you've got skills, man.
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slavvo67
Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 1512 Location: The other Mr. 305
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Posted: Tue 24 Mar 2015, 21:52 Post subject:
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Looks good!
Thanks!
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charlie6

Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 1199 Location: Saint-Gérard / Walloon part of Belgium
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Posted: Tue 05 Sep 2017, 01:05 Post subject:
does not work any longer using Firefox 55 as defaultbrowser |
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Hi,
just to mention that using Firefox 55 as defaultbrowser does not open the urls any longer.
(here using Tahrpup6.0.6 32 bits)
This code does not work neither:
I've browsed the web to fix this but did not find anything relevant.
There are a lot of post about how to use firefox from command line but for version earlier than 55.
It seems the new version of Firefox works in a different way from command line.
The mozilla help tells:
Code: | #root: firefox -new-tab URL |
but this does not work here nor returns any error comment...!
No problem thoug using palemoon.
The reason I'm using Firefox is some website as governemental ones, or for reading electricity consumption on my home power providers bills need Firefox features.
Thanks for any comment!
Best regards
Charlie
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hamoudoudou

Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Posts: 710 Location: rabat
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Posted: Sun 15 Oct 2017, 23:41 Post subject:
Use magoopup ! |
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Magoopup : puppy_precise_5.4.1.1.sfs: 199 M seamonkey 2.13.1..
Magoo links the web clicking on icon Chrome (... to installed Seamonkey)
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