xf86-input-mtrack: The Other Multitouch Trackpad Driver

[eelcoh]

Section "InputClass"
MatchIsTouchpad "true"
Identifier "Multitouch Touchpad"
MatchProduct "bcm5974"
Driver "mtrack"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Option "ThumbSize" "35"
Option "PalmSize" "55"
Option "ClickTime" "25"
Option "ScrollDistance" "70"
Option "TapDragEnable" "False"
EndSection

[buzzboy]

Sorry to be a bit of a noob here but I've not done much compiling of code
So I download the tar file and extract it. Where does it need to go and do I need to "install" it or something?

[ckisgen]

Macbook Pro 6,1 Ubuntu 11.04 Natty

<<snip>>
I haven't heard anybody else mention this issue, but tap-to-drag does not work at all for me. (Holding the physical integrated button and dragging works fine.) It is like tap to drag is not executing. I tried increasing TapDragTime but it has no effect.

Also, I am looking forward to Disable Pad While Typing. I saw in your github notes that it should work but I don't know how to enable it.

Thanks for your terrific work!

+1 .. my tap to drag doesn't work for me either. didn't work on 0.1.0 or 0.1.1

i love this driver but the lack of tap to drag is a real drag (el oh el) .. this is a function i need/use almost constantly

dragon? help please?

thanks for the great work

(macbook 5,1 / ubuntu 11.04)

[Helios747]

Sorry to be a bit of a noob here but I've not done much compiling of code
So I download the tar file and extract it. Where does it need to go and do I need to "install" it or something?

Forget the tar file.


Follow these instructions.


Install git if you don't have it already

sudo apt-get install git

Get a copy of the stable code for the driver

git clone https://github.com/BlueDragonX/xf86-input-mtrack.git

cd into the directory

cd xf86-input-mtrack

Install the required dev libs for compiling

sudo apt-get install xorg-dev libmtdev-dev

compile

make

Install the driver

sudo make install

edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf (if this does not exist, create it.)

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Put this code into it to activate the driver

Section "InputClass"
    MatchIsTouchpad "on"
    Identifier      "Touchpads"
    Driver          "mtrack"
 EndSection

Reboot your computer, or restart X to activate the driver.

To tweak the options for the driver (sensitivity, pressure sensing, tap to click enable/disable, thumb width, etc) follow the list of options in the configuration section of the readme here:

https://github.com/BlueDragonX/xf86-...ster/README.md

You insert the options you want to tweak in your xorg.conf file in between "Driver "mtrack"" and "EndSection"

Have fun.

[buzzboy]

Thanks for the how-to.
So if I do all that and the trackpad no longer works I take it I'm out of luck?

[Helios747]

Not at all!

If your trackpad stops working, you have two options on how to fix this.

Plug in a USB mouse, login, and do

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Comment out all lines that you pasted in from the previous post (comment is a # sign before each line)

Save, and restart X (or reboot)

Or, use the keyboard to log in. once you're logged in, hit the Super key (Win key on PCs, Apple key on Macs)

type "terminal", hit enter.

then edit the xorg file and do the same thing.

[buzzboy]

Yeah, I can do that, and I have. What I mean though is that most likely this driver won't work for me.

[Helios747]

Can you post what happens when you activate the driver to help BlueDragonX fix it?

[BlueDragonX]

Thanks for helping out, Helios!

Sorry to be a bit of a noob here but I've not done much compiling of code
So I download the tar file and extract it. Where does it need to go and do I need to "install" it or something?

If you're running Ubuntu Maverick or Natty you can install the appropriate deb and not worry about compiling: http://www.dev.fatalmachine.org/xf86...mtrack/ubuntu/

However, you'll be missing the ability to adjust sensitivity, as that's in the latest stable code at github. If you want that then follow Helios' instructions.

Yeah, I can do that, and I have. What I mean though is that most likely this driver won't work for me.

What hardware are you running? If you do an 'lsmod | grep bcm5974' at the console, do you see anything? The bcm5974 is the kernel driver used for the MacBook and Apple Magic trackpads. This driver is only compatible with true multitouch devices, so if you don't have one you're out of luck.

If you know you've got an actual multitouch trackpad, then post your xorg config and log files and we'll see what's up.

I haven't heard anybody else mention this issue, but tap-to-drag does not work at all for me.
(snip)
Also, I am looking forward to Disable Pad While Typing. I saw in your github notes that it should work but I don't know how to enable it.

Tap-to-drag is a known failure. I re-implemented it wrong, and in a similar manner to how xf86-input-multitouch does it, which is not how it works in other drivers. It will work as is but you have to be damned fast. I've done it, but it's not what I'd call usable. Version 0.2.0 will have new tap-to-drag code. I've got a milestone for this.

Disable-on-typing isn't implemented yet. I've gotten the first piece completed, which is properties support, but I've got to have a separate process to monitor the keyboard (like syndaemon in the Synaptics driver). I will roll the daemon as a separate package once it's ready to go. I've got a milestone for this as well.

[joskapista]

My favorite setups are:

Section "InputClass"
MatchIsTouchpad "on"
Identifier "Touchpads"
Driver "mtrack"
Option "ThumbSize" "26"
Option "PalmSize" "35"
Option "Sensitivity" "0.75"
Option "ScrollDistance" "100"
Option "FingerHigh" "7"
Option "FingerLow" "7"
EndSection

Could someone please help me, how can I enable click and move with one finger (or this is the tap to drag which is not works yet?)?

This driver is almost perfect, thanks!