KeysID 1.1 review

KeysID project is a highly configurable linux daemon which lets you intercept keyboard key press and make them execute the programs y

License: GPL (GNU General Public License) File size: 0K Developer: Daniele

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KeysID project is a highly configurable linux daemon which lets you intercept keyboard key press and make them execute the programs you want.

It's thought for laptop and multimedia keyboards, which usually have more keys than standard keyboards, but it works with all the keys.

Installation:

In order to compile and install from the source package you can simply type:

make
make install

< debian >

It will put programs in /usr/sbin and the init script in /etc/init.d/ .
< /debian >

If you are new to keysid PLEASE READ THE NEXT SECTION BEFORE RUNNING THE PROGRAM.

Configuration:

Now that `keysid' is installed you must run it's configuration program (keyscfg) before running the daemon. This is the usage:

keyscfg [-f config_file] [-d device]

`-n' is required, it stands for the number of keys you want to intercept
`-f' is the path to the output configuration file, default is
`/etc/keysid/keysid.conf'
`-d' is the device you want to read from. The default is
`/dev/input/event0', you shouldn't use this option unless you know what you are doing.

Run `keyscfg', _don't press any key_ until it's beginning message, then you will asked for pressing as much keys as you requested (`-n' option). If these steps go right you'll find the configuration file in /etc/keysid/keysid.conf (unless you gave the `-f' option).

Well, now you have to edit the configuration file. The first line is the device the program reads from, you shouldn't edit this line since the configuration file depends on the input device.

The other lines (no `#' comments, no white lines) are in the form:

key user command

The key field shouldn't be edited. The user field stands for the user who executes the command (the next field). The command is read to the end of the line, it may contains spaces. The command will be executed as `su - user -c "command" ', therefore.. be careful about escaping!

e.g.:
0xcc crowolo mpg123 ~/songs/*.mp3

0xcc -> the key
crowolo -> the user
mpg123 ~/songs/*.mp3 -> the command

This line will be executed as `su - crowolo -c "mpg123 ~/songs/*.mp3" '.

Usage:

Now you can start the daemon (keysid). You can also specify the configuration file the daemon will read by passing it as command-line argument.

e.g.:
keysid /root/tmpkeysid.conf

< debian >

The source package provides the init script which can be used to run the daemon at boot time. If you want to run it by init script and make the daemon read from a non-default file, you must write it's name in /etc/keysid/args .
< /debian >

e.g.:
$ cat /etc/keysid/args
/root/tmpkeysid.conf
$

Known bugs:

You shouldn't press any key for a couple of milliseconds after you start both the daemon and the configurator program, otherwise the program couldn't get your input in the right way.

What's New in This Release:
package improvments
minor fixes
debian package available