Keyboard remapper

[A.D. Fundum]

If e.g. the S-key is broken, then you can use a keyboard remapper to
assign the S to the F11-key, some Windows-key, or the
(US/International layout) top left `-key.

Virtual Keyboard/2 (http://en.ecomstation.ru/projects/vkeyb) is not a
remapper. If you'd use the fine VK/2's F11, then it still should
produce a "S" (or maybe even more than a single keystroke). Besides
that, a remapper replaces a real key by another key, so e.g. it still
would be possible to race a virtual car.

Is there an OS/2 keyboard remapper?


--

[ivan]

Post by A.D. Fundum
If e.g. the S-key is broken, then you can use a keyboard remapper to
assign the S to the F11-key, some Windows-key, or the
(US/International layout) top left `-key.
Virtual Keyboard/2 (http://en.ecomstation.ru/projects/vkeyb) is not a
remapper. If you'd use the fine VK/2's F11, then it still should
produce a "S" (or maybe even more than a single keystroke). Besides
that, a remapper replaces a real key by another key, so e.g. it still
would be possible to race a virtual car.
Is there an OS/2 keyboard remapper?
--

Have you looked at Win95key, it may do what you want?

Here we use it to map all the 'odd' keys on our keyboards, using the
scan codes the keys generate, to either start scripts or non standard
letters and symbols.

ivan
--

[A.D. Fundum]

Post by ivan

Post by A.D. Fundum
Is there an OS/2 keyboard remapper?

Have you looked at Win95key, it may do what you want?

No, I'm trying to avoid those keyboards, but apparantly it isn't
linked to three specific keys, so it should work indeed. Thanks, I'll
look it.


--

[A.D. Fundum]

using the scan codes the keys generate, to either
start scripts or non standard letters and symbols.

Can it be used to type (at least) one character? If so, how? Or does
that require writing a plugin, because "replace"/remap isn't an
available option?

So far I was able to link OpenObject to <CTRL-SHIFT-F7> ("CSF7"), but
I want to press CSF7 to obtain a space, because my space bar is
broken. Or I want to produce U-Umlauts with CSF7. The "modifier" has a
syntax like K=L and L=K, but that won't switch the K and L keys if you
want to try to be a funny guy.


--

[ivan]

Post by A.D. Fundum

using the scan codes the keys generate, to either
start scripts or non standard letters and symbols.

Can it be used to type (at least) one character? If so, how? Or does
that require writing a plugin, because "replace"/remap isn't an
available option?
So far I was able to link OpenObject to <CTRL-SHIFT-F7> ("CSF7"), but
I want to press CSF7 to obtain a space, because my space bar is
broken. Or I want to produce U-Umlauts with CSF7. The "modifier" has a
syntax like K=L and L=K, but that won't switch the K and L keys if you
want to try to be a funny guy.
--

I'll have a look at what we have when I get time tomorrow.

There may be a problem if you are using a standard 102 key keyboard.
Most of our keyboards are standard 102 key with an extra 12 keys in a
bank above the function keys. These generate unique key codes and we
use 8 of them for accented characters and the remaining 4 open mail,
newsgroups, browser and search using OpenObject.


ivan
--

[A.D. Fundum]

Post by ivan

Post by A.D. Fundum
Can it be used to type (at least) one character?

I'll have a look at what we have when I get time tomorrow.

Don't overdo it. Albeit I cannot find a SHOWDCP.CMD so far, editing
the KEYBOARD.DCP file looks promising (additional warning: write a
restoring Rexx script first, because copying KEYBOARD.BAK to
KEYBOARD.DCP may require working keys).

AFAICT Win95Key should support all input keys and all sorts of key
combinations, but by default (available plugins) the output seems to
be limited to typical Windows keys-operations, with OS/2 and your
productivity in mind.

Post by ivan
There may be a problem if you are using a standard 102 key
keyboard.

FWIW, it's a broken keyboard (-cable, most likely) of a backup
netbook'ish notebook. I think I'll try to replace the 6 broken keys
with F7-F12 first, in alphabetical order. Using an external USB
keyboard or eBay is an option, but I may like this better (no need to
carry a small keyboard, Lord knows how bad a second-hand keyboard is,
and I'm already used to several keyboard layouts anyway).

Post by ivan
we use 8 of them for accented characters and the remaining
4 open mail, newsgroups, browser and search using
OpenObject.

I installed Win95Key anyway, after you mentioned it.

I'm familiar with IBM hardware, with nationalised keyboards to type
(most) local characters with accents. Nevertheless most people don't
know how that works, typically using an US/International keyboard.
Typing characters with accents is hard for them indeed. Even if they
knew what the dead key of a typewriter was, so explaining an old trick
has no use. Dead keys on/off, after "KEYB BR 274" you can use 'e to
type an � in that session:

KEYB BR 274 [Enter]
CHCP 437 [Enter]

KEYB US [Enter]
CHCP 850 [Enter]


--

[A.D. Fundum]

Post by A.D. Fundum
I cannot find a SHOWDCP.CMD

I saw that hobbes.ru is almost re-unhacked again:

http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/download/pub/os2/util/system/swapdcp.zip

FTR: this, apparently used by Lafaix in 1995, doesn't work anymore
with eCS 1.2. After a recompile it cannot read the key tables. To test
(should be safe):

SWAPDCP -L 3 x:\OS2\KEYBOARD.DCP

<snip>
======== table 246 =========
ZC 243 ID: 852 table loc: 0xbf37 ( 0000 0000 0001 )
ERROR: can't read key table


--

[A.D. Fundum]

Post by A.D. Fundum
SWAPDCP -L 3 x:\OS2\KEYBOARD.DCP
ERROR: can't read key table

Oops, it works after a reboot in textmode sessions (I haven't tried
all environments, but the PM is unaffected by a test swap).
Fortunately CMD.EXE is the most important environment in this specific
case.


--

[A.D. Fundum]

Post by A.D. Fundum
SWAPDCP -L 3 x:\OS2\KEYBOARD.DCP
ERROR: can't read key table

Just recompiling to be able to see the output won't do. The old
executable still works, albeit you'll have to redirect the output to
notice that:

SWAPDCP -L 3 x:\OS2\KEYBOARD.DCP > TABLES.TXT

Since Win95Key should support any input key, you should be able to
find the scancodes easily by using its PM Conf utility (tab Settings,
Add, GET!, press the key).


--

[James J. Weinkam]

Post by A.D. Fundum
If e.g. the S-key is broken, then you can use a keyboard remapper to
assign the S to the F11-key, some Windows-key, or the
(US/International layout) top left `-key.
Virtual Keyboard/2 (http://en.ecomstation.ru/projects/vkeyb) is not a
remapper. If you'd use the fine VK/2's F11, then it still should
produce a "S" (or maybe even more than a single keystroke). Besides
that, a remapper replaces a real key by another key, so e.g. it still
would be possible to race a virtual car.
Is there an OS/2 keyboard remapper?
--

The OS/2-eCS keyboard layout information is in boot:\od2\keyboard.dcp

A description of the file format and a reference to a tool to modify it can be found here:

http://www.edm2.com/0303/keyboard.html