SwitchPup - puplet for the severely disabled

[greengeek]

Added some easier variants to the keyboard mod thread:

[mikeslr]

Hi all,

Just a note that I've posted a Hotkey Help pet. It may help users to accomplish tasks with a minimum of time and effort. http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic. ... 482#712482

mikesLr

[greengeek]

Updated the third post on page 1 to add an "Autostart" version which allows the disabled user to get going without waiting for someone to run configuration utilities.

Just boot the PC with the Autostart switchpup CD in the drive and wait for the desktop to arrive. This particular version is "RAM only" so does not try to load a savefile. This is done to ensure that this version can be tested and finetuned to be as useful on as many systems as possible - I need to know what it boots on and how it operates without savefile additions clouding the picture.

I will add a savefile compatible version later when I have ironed out any bugs with the basic autostart pup.

[ETP]

Hi greengeek,

Downloading now & will test tomorrow.
You may want to add an issue date to the third post on page 1 as it could be confusing for anyone new to the thread.

[greengeek]

Thanks ETP, good suggestion.

[ETP]

Hi Greengeek,

No issues came to light on my kit(Pentium D with 1GB of DDR2 Ram),the main components of which date from 2005.
The display on my more recent IPS panel (1920x1080) was fine, with the nouveau driver automatically providing that resolution plus acceleration.
The Abiword window size was also o/k.

Providing everyone is happy with the US k/b layout, it all looks good.

[greengeek]

Thanks very much for testing it ETP - good to know that it works on some other hardware too. I realise the default choice of US keyboard and language will be unsuitable for many, but I am also working on another version which allows the disabled user to choose other keyboard layouts and languages etc by themselves.

I am trialling various ways to have radar start early enough for the user to interact with the firstrun screens, so they can tailor the setup exactly as they want. Then once I've got that sorted I want to graft in some of the features in your mousecam pup (eg: dictation interface and better browser etc...)

[greengeek]

Added new version of the AutoStart iso (see post 3 on first page). This contains the "keyhunter" script from SFR which means that the hotpluggable usb keyboard oneswitch interface can be used in any port and keyhunter will automatically detect which "event number" and "keycode" it needs to use.

This makes it very easy for the disabled user to get online and in charge of the PC without external help (other than putting the CD in the drive in the first place...).

Very keen to hear of any bugs so I can sort them and then add extra functionality and extra versions of the keyboard etc.

[greengeek]

Added a new version (see page 1 first post) which starts Radar early on so that the disabled user is able to interact directly with the firstrun screens to set the system up for the language and keyboard layout they want, without having to wait for someone else to do the setup.

Contains SFR's "Keyhunter" script so that it is able to detect whether you are using the internal keyboard, an external keyboard or usb interface such as the one in my Keyboard mod thread. Radar-config settings get modified automatically so that the disabled user has the best chance of getting started without waiting for external expertise.

Create savefile at shutdown if you want a permanent install.

[Ted Dog]

Thats cutting it close, demo with MDA Dr in a few hours! And again on Thursday for a crowd.

Hope it does't crash hard

[greengeek]

Hope it does the job Ted Dog...
I'm keen to hear any feedback - there are lots of refinements I plan to work on, but at least it's working reasonably well so far. (Could do with a prettier background and icon set )

[Ted Dog]

Looking great so far, have a few mini-dvds burned to give out. Hope for some feedback as well. I like the fact its an overlay on regular puppylinux.

I keep tripping up on the lock desktop icon when I close a window. So would like to move that icon.

[Ted Dog]

major issues with CD-less notebook ati is at 640x480 and attempts to change cause hard reset. can't lug the 'beast' main computer up to appt.
is there a pet of this try a newer version of puppylinux. How
do
I turn
off this
to make other changes

[greengeek]

Sorry - no pet for this - it is manually assembled. Unfortunately I dont have any PCs using ATI video cards so it will be tricky to improve this. I will see if I can get access to some other machines. Are you able to give me some more clues about the model of netbook? thx.

[Ted Dog]

kill -9 everything related to switchpup then I was able to use the xorgwizard without hard reset issue, to correct this. Works nicely now but still have odd interference. Like the random jumping of this textbox cursor to different lines.
If I could get with you on what

/ how this is done would like to try making this f64or 64 bit.

[greengeek]

Hi Ted Dog,
I should really write up a changelog to identify the steps I took to set up switchpup so far. That way you could see what you might want to transport across to 64bit. I will start working on a list.

With regard to the netbook problems can I ask you some questions?
1) Are you using the Radarfirstrun iso or the Autostart iso? (I recommend you try both so we can compare the outcomes)
2) Are you testing this from a frugal install or do you have access to an external CD drive to boot direct fom CD? (My netbook sometimes has video setup failures when booting from HDD but not from CD for some reason)
3) Any chance of you trying Precise 5.6.1 (which is what this puplet is based on) to help work out if the problem is something I have introduced?
thanks in advance for any testing you can do...

[greengeek]

.
Also - I have noticed that the video selection seems to be affected by the file "pupdesk.flg" being present on the first partition.

This file seems to be created during the "quicksetup firstrun" process and I find my netbook boots better if I delete that file (it seems perfectly safe to do so...)

Could you check whether or not you see that file sitting on your first partition after booting and try deleting it to see if it makes the next boot more successful please?

pupdesk.flg is a flag file in much the same way as fsckme.flg is a flag file - their purpose is to ensure that certain activities occur during the next boot. When I view the content of pupdesk.flg it seems to contain information relevant to the video driver.

I am working on understanding why this is happening and the best way around it. It might be unrelated to your boot problem but who knows - there may be some connection.

[Ted Dog]

FEEDBACK from DR.s
1) the hardware/software solutions are very pricy
2) They are experimenting with tablets and speaking software.
3) The single switch control is the only way to communicate for those what use it. Speech is generally lost and the most necessary function for the single switch users.

Was directed to seek-out speech / communication therapist and given some others who could benefit contact information.

Gave out a few copies of both switchpup (demo-ed) and MouseCamv6.

Will be meeting with others (disabled and those who care for them) later in the week to show off the software again.

[Ted Dog]

Hi Ted Dog,
I should really write up a changelog to identify the steps I took to set up switchpup so far. That way you could see what you might want to transport across to 64bit. I will start working on a list.

With regard to the netbook problems can I ask you some questions?
1) Are you using the Radarfirstrun iso or the Autostart iso? (I recommend you try both so we can compare the outcomes)
2) Are you testing this from a frugal install or do you have access to an external CD drive to boot direct fom CD? (My netbook sometimes has video setup failures when booting from HDD but not from CD for some reason)
3) Any chance of you trying Precise 5.6.1 (which is what this puplet is based on) to help work out if the problem is something I have introduced?
thanks in advance for any testing you can do...

A1) radarfirstrun (did not try other)
A2) netbook w/o CD for made flashdrive install (booting using ComboFormat flashdrive with FAT32)
A3) Yes Precise 5.6.1 had like issues with ATI so, choose modesetting, but some how those scripts died if radar was not stopped before leaving X windows. In unmodified Precise5.61 the choosing of video mode would not die until exited normally

Once worked around the reboot with save back to flash working, all OK as it did on my other desktop box.

[greengeek]

Added a new version of radar-firstrun to first post on first page. Removed problematic "screenlock" icon and made some other changes that I consider make it more reliable/usable.