Ten Foot Product Forums

Reassigning keys

Andy Henderson — Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:50 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:50 pm

I've put together a release of the TF products that allows you to specify combinations of key strokes in the <actionToTake> section of the settings files.

Specify combinations in the following order:
Ctrl
Alt
Shift

So CtrlAltR is valid and will match Ctrl-Alt-R but AltCtrlR will never be matched.

Matching is case sensitive. ctrlaltr will never be matched.

Previously, a definition like <F1>Help</F1> was matched by any occurence of F1 regardless of Ctrl, Alt or Shift settings. To maintain backwards compatibility, I allow a definition like: <PlainF1>Help</PlainF1> if you want to match just the F1 key and not, say, Shift-F1.

You can add keys in the <actionToTake> section of the TF Launcher settings file and refer to the resultant action in the <hotButtons> section to convert them to Launcher hot buttons.

I also took the opportunity to remove a significant amount of hard coding from the TF programs. For example, instead of hard coding the F1 key to show the help pages, I've added <F1>Help</F1> to the <actionToTake> section instead.

Note that if you have created Personal versions of the settings file containing an <actionToTake> section, you'll need to update them to take account of the new keys defined in the updated settings files included with the update. If you don't do that then some of the keys that previously worked as standard will no longer work (because they are no longer hard coded).

I've started you off by defining the 'teletext' keys as:
CtrlAltR - Red
CtrlAltG - Green
CtrlAltY - Yellow
CtrlAltB - Blue
CtrlAltT - Teletext

I've also mapped the following standard shortcuts
CtrlShiftB - Rewind
CtrlShiftF - Fast forward
CtrlB - Skip back
CtrlF - Skip forward
CtrlShiftS - Stop

I'd be interested to know the mappings used by your remote if they are different.

To install the update

Shut down all running TF programs
Download http://www.SeeITA.com/TF/Version33Beta3.zip
Unzip the contents and use them to overwrite the versions in your TF programs folder (by default C:/Program Files/CITA/Ten Foot Products)

This new version also includes some other enhancements. Notably, the TF BitTorrent Client has some major performance improvements.

Note that you will see a notification that there's a new version available when you start the TF Browser. You should ignore it - it's a by-product of the beta numbering.

Please let me know how you get on.

Reassigning keys

Andy Henderson — Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:03 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:03 pm

OK, I'll see what I can do.

You might consider changing your remote, though. Most programs that run alongside Media Player/Media Centre will expect the remote to generate the standard Microsoft codes, not the shortcut keys.

FWIW, I use the Gyration Remote (http://www.gyration.co.uk/proddata.php?partno=E3199). It uses RF for the Media Centre so you can hide the dongle and it has all the common Media Centre buttons (although US versions don't have the colour ones). It's also a learning InfraRed remote for three additional devices. The killer is a motion-sensitive mouse that you move around the screen just by waving the remote.

I use it to run iPlayer, for example, without any special coding. When necessary, I also use it to run apps outside Media Centre like TotalMedia Theatre, AnyDVD, Media Player, VLC, etc. It's good for getting around web pages, too (works well with the TF Browser).

I haven't been to Joost for ages. And it didn't take me long to remember why. I'm watching a program full screen right now, but it was a frustrating exercise! I suspect the best solution for it is a remote keyboard and mose - but it's not good even then.

Reassigning keys

thekitehunter — Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:11 pm

Author: thekitehunter
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:11 pm

That's exactly what the Speedlink does. And so this enhancement would be great. All I need now is to convince Joost to accept assignable keystrokes and BBC iPlayer 'bigscreen' to do the same (to navigate around the tabs) and I'll be there.

Reassigning keys

Andy Henderson — Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:21 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:21 am

I did a bit of research and I think I understand the problem.

It looks like the Speed-Link is not a standard Media Centre remote. These generate a mix of keyboard and raw codes as described in one of the articles linked above.

Instead, it seems the Speed-Link is - in effect - a cut-down keyboard. It generates shortcut keystrokes as described here: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/e69eb36f-de61-4e80-8fe3-f3835b8e3e261033.mspx Does that match what you are seeing?

Unfortunately, the colour buttons aren't used in the US so there are no shortcut keystrokes for them. Presumably that's why the remote doesn't do the colour keys even though the colours on the buttons suggest it does. Very frustrating.

As things stand, I detect specific keys rather than alt- ctrl- shift- combinations. I've checked the code and that doesn't look too hard to do. If you've got the patience to wait a few weeks, I'm planning a major new release (the BitTorrent client I have under soak test is a much improved version, for instance). I can include the enhancement then.

Reassigning keys

thekitehunter — Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:51 pm

Author: thekitehunter
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:51 pm

Thanks for the reply - and the challenge. The remote control is not reprogrammable, so I'm stuck with getting the browser to reinterpret the keystrokes sent by the remote. I wonder if there is some part of the Manual that I'm missing? I eventually worked out that what you meant by "use the Launcher's <LauncherLogFileName> parameter." was to put a line <LauncherLogFileName>LauncherLog.txt</LauncherLogFileName> in the launcher's XML file and that the resulting file would appear in 'My Documents'.

Your example in the Guide is <RControlKey>Help</RControlKey> results in that the Right Control Key being pressed would send 'Help' to the Browser.
This is ok if its a single key pressed, but my remote sends sequences eg Ctrl-Alt-T. Could you explain how to make this the Red button for example?
By the way, the Regionalisation Guide pdf is 77 pages long - and starts with a 38 page manual, then follows with a 'duplicate' 37 page Manual. Thanks again.

Reassigning keys

Andy Henderson — Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:32 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:32 am

The way Media Centre remotes appear to developers inside Windows is via an interface that is complicated by the way 'Human Interface Devices' have changed over time. Media Centre remotes generate a mix of 'Raw' input codes and keyboard codes. If you're interested, you can read a bit more here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms996387.aspx .

The User Manual describes they keyboard shortcuts I've defined for certain functions (such as Shift-F2 for the Red button). See page 16 for the keyboard shortcuts used by the browser, for example. I've tried to use these consistently across all the programs, so you might be able to program the functions you need into your remote without touching the parameterisation files.

You say your remote generates keystrokes. If that's all it does, you should ignore the raw input codes. Instead, you intercept keystrokes using <RControlKey> as described in the Tailoring and Regionalisation Guide. Note that the key names are defined by Microsoft here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.keys.aspx
. You're probably best using high number function keys, because those you define will be acted on if they are received from any source (including a real keyboard).

On the other hand, looking at the Speedlink web site, I think your remote generates the usual mix of different codes. The easiest way to find out what's happening is to use the Launcher's <launcherLogFileName> parameter. This instructs the Launcher to log what it sees when you press a key on your remote. Having set up the log and restarted the Launcher, key a sequence you will recognise later (such as 999) then press each key you are interested in, carefully noting the sequence. When you look in the log you will see what the Launcher sees. The log differentiates the different types of code presented by the Microsoft interface. That should help you set up any changes you want to make.

Note the keys listed at the foot of page 6 of the Tailoring and Regionalisation Guide. It is tempting to try to redine these keys for use in the TF products but MCE will continue to react to them even though the TF products say they have processed them.

BTW, the purpose of naming keys that don't have an action is to make it easier for you to assign keys if they're in the list. I define all the common ones in all the programs in case people find them helpful.

I hope that helps,

Andy

Reassigning keys

thekitehunter — Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:24 pm

Author: thekitehunter
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:24 pm

I use a 'Speedlink SL-6399' remote which sends keystrokes and I'm trying to change the settings in the TenFootSettings.xml file to match. I already know what keystrokes are sent for each button.

In the Manual it says that button codes and raw commands are numeric - where do I find these numeric codes for the keystrokes that my remote sends? What is the difference between remoteCommandButtons and remoteCommandRaw? Some remoteCommandBuutons are linked to an actionToTake, but some are not - what is the purpose of naming them if they don't have an actionToTake?
Finally, if I use a key code instead, should I delete the relevant 'remoteCommandButton' definition?

Starting Ten Foot Browser on a second screen

Mod1Fy — Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:00 am

Author: Mod1Fy
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:00 am

Thanks for the reply.

I had to install the newest flash in IE. Never occurred to me as I use firefox.
I'll send you an email now for a test version.

Thanks
James

Starting Ten Foot Browser on a second screen

Andy Henderson — Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:11 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:11 pm

Mod1Fy wrote:

I am using mediaportal and have my tv hooked to my PC via DVI to HDMI.
When I start Ten Foot Product from mediaportal using multishortcut plugin they start on the PC screen in my other room. I need to be able to let the program know to start on my secondary display much like you can in the general options of the mediaportal config.

That's a good idea. I'll look into it but I don't have a set up to test it on. If you drop me a note (Andy at SeeITA.com) I'll send you a version to try.

Mod1Fy wrote:

The other thing is I can't view flash content such as sites like youtube. How do I get flash working with this browser.

I've not had any problems with flash sites. It might be because you don't have the plug in installed. Try using IE directly to go to a flash site and see if you get the download prompt. Otherwise, can you let me know a specific page so I can investigate further (I tried youtube and it worked fine for me).

Starting Ten Foot Browser on a second screen

Mod1Fy — Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:30 am

Author: Mod1Fy
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:30 am

I am using mediaportal and have my tv hooked to my PC via DVI to HDMI.
When I start Ten Foot Product from mediaportal using multishortcut plugin they start on the PC screen in my other room. I need to be able to let the program know to start on my secondary display much like you can in the general options of the mediaportal config.

The other thing is I can't view flash content such as sites like youtube. How do I get flash working with this browser.

Fantastic idea though, exactly what I need to not have to leave my couch.

Disabling the arrow keys

Andy Henderson — Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:20 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:20 pm

Actually, the default behaviour is to pass on the arrow keys to the browser. The browser's reaction to the arrow keys is to scroll.

If a Flash program captures the arrow keys then the TFB should still work fine with the page.

If you're interested in reassigning keys, the Tailoring and Regionalisation Guide provides more details. In particular, the launcherLogFileName parameter of the Ten Foot Launcher allows you to log key codes so you can work out what to reassign.

Disabling the arrow keys

Robert Parker — Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:36 pm

Author: Robert Parker
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:36 pm

Hi Andy,

The default behaviour for the TFB is to scroll the page when the MCE remote arrow keys are pressed (up,down,left,right). What if a web page, say a flash program, needed these keys ?
I had a look in TenFootBrowserSettings.xml and the Tailoring guide but couldnt find any reference to the arrow keys or the scrolling actions. If I knew the integer value for the arrow keys would I be able to disable (or re-assign?) the scrolling behaviour?

thanks
Robert

Yellow Border around "links" (?)

Andy Henderson — Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:45 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:45 pm

The Ten Foot Browser generates tab and back-tab characters in response to the replay and skip keys. The finetune interface is responding to the tab and back-tabs. You can see the same effect if you run the site in IE or similar. Keying tab and back-tab moves you between the buttons on the site.

Yellow Border around "links" (?)

Robert Parker — Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:53 pm

Author: Robert Parker
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:53 pm

Hi Andy

I am able to navigate around http://finetune.com/wii/player.php using the replay |< and skip >| MCE remote control buttons just like navigating to standard anchor links.

But I think the "buttons" on this web site are not actual html anchors, I think they are part of the flash program UI. If they were standard links then the default selection highlight would be a dotted box, instead the selection highlight is a yellow box. My question is, how does Ten Foot Browser know to navigate to these "regions" within the flash UI ?

thanks
Robert

How to Make a Great Application Better

Robert Parker — Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:11 am

Author: Robert Parker
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:11 am

Quote:

Sorry, that wouldn't help. Tabbing to a link does not activate the 'hover' style. Not my choice, Microsoft's.

According to Sitepoint it looks like :focus which would be the correct pseudo class. Unfortunately IE7 doesnt support :focus, fortunately IE7 does misinterpret :active to give you the same effect!

I've had a go at using :active to highlight the selected link more clearly, see http://www.citaforums.com/TenFoot/viewtopic.php?t=38. Could the first page (the one with Homepage and Favourites link) use the Local Page Tailoring as well?