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View Full Version : Any developers interested in developing a unique on screen keyboard?


charlesviper
September 12th, 2010, 12:54 PM
Before I start, I'd like to say that I have zero coding experience with regards to 'desktop programming'. I wouldn't even know how to begin the process of coding the software that I'm looking for. With that said, despite my inexperience, I am assuming that it would be quite simple.

I'm looking for a full screen (at 1600x900 resolution) on screen keyboard that allows you to select text using only one button click. After every click, the cursor would reset to the 'Q' in 'QWERTYUIOP', and cycle through each letter at a variable rate, moving across the virtual keyboard. If the user were to click a button, it would select and enter the currently selected letter, and then go back to the start.

Perhaps dictionary 'T9'-type support could be added.

The back story is that I'm trying to help a spastic girl get set up with computer usage. She's fine intellectually, as she has been since birth, but because of her physical disability she's never had the chance to use a computer. A lot of 'experts' have gotten in touch with her hoping to sell her $5,000 custom eye-tracking software, etc, but nothing is reliable enough to work given the severity of her condition.

I think if we could get her a dual screen computer with the regular applications and desktop on the left, and a one-button clicker that will let her type, she'd get a good start.

Would anyone have the skills and time to do this?

cmauri
September 13th, 2010, 07:31 AM
Dear Charles,

Before planning a new development I think it is worth to check whether available solutions can fulfil your needs. A good point to start could be, although it is not Linux nor Ubuntu specific, OATSoft [1]. There you will find free AT solutions, among which several on-screen keyboards. One of them that supports the functionality you require (if I'm not wrong) is Click-N-Type. This one, however, is only for win but might be can run on Ubuntu using wine.

Hope it helps.

[1] http://www.oatsoft.org/

linux-hack
September 13th, 2010, 08:01 AM
You can begin by learning python programing .. its easy to learn and you can do magic with it :D... and may be make you own on screen keyboard :D

Ams1221
September 14th, 2010, 09:32 AM
This functionality is already in the default ubuntu on-screen keyboard. Just choose the scan function and layout, and maximize the window.