49 replies to this topic

[cpo]

Hi.

I want to create a keyboard shortcut to open the File Manager in Easy Mode. The home key in combination with "e" key would be really handy!

I know that I can access the file manager by going to the work tab, and then clicking on File Manager. But having a keyboard shortcut for this would be MUCH more convenient. Especially since there is no other way (other than using the File Manger), that I can see for accessing documents or files that a user saves for everyday work.

I have not installed advanced mode, and I would like not to bother using it unless it is absolutely necessary. I like the way easy mode works, and being that the idea of this machine is to be portable, and being that the screen and keyboard are so small, I like the simplicity of easy mode. (I'm not intending to spend a lot of time configuring this machine, I bought it because it had a Linux system pre-installed on it.)

I want to make it clear that I have the default Xandros linux sustem installed. I have not made any changes to the configuration, other than configuring firefox a bit. My machine is a 701 4G. Works great actually!

If someone would be so kind as to give me instructions how to add (or change) some script in a config file somewhere in the linux system directories to achieve this outcome, that would be very kind. And not to mention, this would surely help many users like myself, as I have not been successful in finding this information anywhere by googling around.

Thanks,
from Calgary, Canada
-----------------------------

[Niel1952]

This is from another thread, in case you are feeling adventurous:

Quote

The key here for references sake is that (as I understand it) in easy mode you are not *really* using KDE, you are using IceWM.

They have entirely separate keyboard shortcut settings. As mentioned above, Control Center is used in KDE to change shortcuts, in IceWM you have to edit /etc/X11/icewm/keys by hand.

It should be pretty obvious what to do in there!

Good luck to those that investigate this, I hope I have been informative too.....

[richardkemp]

Wow, a reference! :-D

Dont know how much you know about linux so...

Press ctrl+alt+t to open a terminal window.
type:
sudo kwrite /etc/X11/icewm/keys

As I said above, the syntax here is fairly obvious. Make a new line or edit an old one that you wouldnt use. The target for your ctrl+alt+e shortcut will be XandrosFileManager (case sensitive).

I have mine set to do "sudo XandrosFileManager" instead (open as superuser) - as a born and bred windows user I often find permissions and ownerships confusing and restrictive. Quick tip there :-)

Enjoy your EEE!

Edited by richardkemp, 29 December 2007 - 09:43 PM.

[Niel1952]

I have been playing around with this and, as a non-expert, I think it is safer for me and, therefore, probably for you not to be messing about with files at the root level.

I recommend copying the keys file to the user level so my steps are:
1 pressCtrl+Alt+t to open a terminal window.
2 type: sudo cp /etc/X11/icewm/keys /home/user/.icewm/keys (the dot before icewm is important)
3 type: sudo kwrite /home/user/.icewm/keys
4 edit as above, save and exit kwrite
5. restart the computer that seems to be when the keys file gets read

[NaeKid]

Another from Calgary .. :)

I just learned how to do this as well, but it was to turn on and off the TrackPad because when I touch-type at 120wpm, my thumbs sometimes hit the pad and I have to figure out where my mistakes are.

What I did (as a very beginner Linux-user, long time Mac / Windows operator, support guy) ...

Quote

I finally got it to work .. took alot of playing and screwin' around, but it works.

What I did was find a "keys" file and open it. I couldn't save it where it was located, so I saved it to my home directory.

I "cleaned" out the file of all the original key-commands and pasted in the commands that are supposed to be in there:

key "Alt+Ctrl+z" /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/synclient TouchpadOff=1
key "Alt+Ctrl+x" /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/synclient TouchpadOff=0

I resaved the file and rebooted. Nothing.
I created a directory in the same folder named icewm and moved the keys file into it.
I rebooted the eee and the key-sequence didn't work, again.

I then noticed that someone had a period infront of icewm, so, in filemanager I hit the F2 key on the folder (rename), put a period at the beginning of icewm so that it was .icewm - and the folder disappeared! WTF????

I rebooted my eee, and then the key-sequence worked just fine! I don't totally understand what I did, but I see that it works!

The basics of editing the keys file is there. There isn't an extension on the file like you would have in Wndows. That part confused me. Think of the file as being a .ini file in Windows.

For you to program in the FileManager, I don't know how the "Home+E" would work, but, maybe using the sequence of:

key "Alt+Ctrl+e" /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/XandrosFileManager

.. would be a better choice.

Let me know if it does the trick for ya

[NaeKid]

I just did some playing with the commands, and found that what you probably would want to do with the keys file is a little simpler...

key "Alt+Ctrl+e" /usr/bin/XandrosFileManager

This way opens the filemanager going directly to your personal home folder and the place where you would save your documents.

I have also discovered that folders that have the dot preceding the name basically turn the folder into a system folder for Linux ...

[cpo]

I think what the dot technically does is make the folder hidden.

[cpo]

Quote

I have been playing around with this and, as a non-expert, I think it is safer for me and, therefore, probably for you not to be messing about with files at the root level.

I recommend copying the keys file to the user level so my steps are:
1 pressCtrl+Alt+t to open a terminal window.
2 type: sudo cp /etc/X11/icewm/keys /home/user/.icewm/keys (the dot before icewm is important)
3 type: sudo kwrite /home/user/.icewm/keys
4 edit as above, save and exit kwrite
5. restart the computer that seems to be when the keys file gets read

Thanks for the advice, but there's a hitch. When I type:
sudo cp /etc/X11/icewm/keys /home/user/.icewm/keys

I get:
cp: cannot create regular file '/home/user/.icewm/keys': No such file or direcory


I assume that means that this .icewm folder does not exist. I guess I'll go ahead and just create this folder ".icewm".

[Niel1952]

Quote

I just did some playing with the commands, and found that what you probably would want to do with the keys file is a little simpler...

key "Alt+Ctrl+e" /usr/bin/XandrosFileManager

This way opens the filemanager going directly to your personal home folder and the place where you would save your documents.

I have also discovered that folders that have the dot preceding the name basically turn the folder into a system folder for Linux ...

I have to confess I don't understand why typing /usr/bin/ before XandrosFileManager would have that effect. As far as I know /usr/bin/ is just wehre the executable is.

I already had a .icewm folder from doing other software hacks in easy mode, so from reading richardkemp's original post I made the (for me) monumental leap in realising I should put the keys file in there.

I wanted to assign Alt+Ctrl+f to File Manager but I noticed that key is already assigned to somehing called fte, does anybody know what that is?

I also want to try to assign Ctrl-V and Alt-Ctrl-Delete to perform the same functions they do in Windows. Does anybody know whether this would work, whther there are any reasons not to do this and what the relevant Linux commands are?

[cpo]

Alt-Ctrl-Delete already works on my asus eee to open the Task Manager.

Ctrl-V already works on my asus eee to Paste as in windows.

[cpo]

To Niel1952:

Part of my key file:
key "Alt+Ctrl+Del" ksysguard --showprocesses

However Ctrl-V does not exist in my key file.

[Niel1952]

Quote

Alt-Ctrl-Delete already works on my asus eee to open the Task Manager.

Ctrl-V already works on my asus eee to Paste as in windows.

Thanks for this message and the one below it. I note, however, that in this thread you said you wanted Ctrl-V to work in terminal. It also doesn't work in some editors like nano and I would like to make it a universal command because it is second nature to me.

Incidentally, while I have advanced mode activated, I am finding it more fun tweaking easy mode. Certainly, I think I am learning more about Linux this way.

[cpo]

SUCCESS!


To make a keyboard shortcut to open file manager in easy mode, default Xandros distro, Asus EEE 701.

These instructions will make it so that pressing the home key + "e" (letter e key) will open the file manager, kind of like the way it works in MS Windows, as for the Windows explorer (file manager).



Instructions:


1. Open terminal window.
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl-Alt-T


2. Type or cut and paste the below text (into the terminal window)
To paste in terminal window, here is the keyboard shortcut: [shift-insert]
(press enter after each line of course)

mkdir /home/user/.icewm
(the dot before icewm is important)
(this makes a folder called .icewm)
(If the folder already exists you will just get an error message telling you this, continue anyways)

sudo cp /etc/X11/icewm/keys /home/user/.icewm/keys
(the dot before icewm is important)

sudo kwrite /home/user/.icewm/keys


3. Editing this file (keys), in kwrite (text editor) ....

Add this line exactly as below:
(include the quotes)
(You can put it anywhere you want in the text file, at the end or wherever you like)
(don't put the '#' symbol before the line, that would void the entry)

key "XF86HomePage+e" /usr/bin/XandrosFileManager



4. And then save this file with the new line added.
Close the kwrite text editor.
Close the terminal window.

5. Restart X11 window interface for changes to take effect. Or reboot.
Ctrl-Alt-Backspace


Please respond to this post if you have found that these instructions have worked for you.

Edited by cpo, 30 December 2007 - 06:09 PM.

[SublimePorte]

Niel1952,

Quote

I also want to try to assign Ctrl-V

The default paste shortcut is shift+insert which also works on Windows btw. I normally use these keys in windows anyway, as I once had a KVM switch that would freeze if you pressed ctrl too often, so I got used to the ctrl+insert (copy) and shift+insert (paste) shortcuts.

[Niel1952]

Thanks, I did know that Ctrl+Insert also worked in Windows. However, it looks as if, until I can retrain myself, my default paste mode will just have to be:
Ctrl-v
$%&*@*%
Shift-Insert

[Niel1952]

Quote

1. Open File Manger. The old way. Go to work tab, Click on the big icon "File Manager."
2. Go to "view" in the top toolbar.
3. Enable "Show Hidden Files". (put an x in front of it)
4. Browse to "/home/user".
5. Create a folder in there called ".icewm" (have to have a dot before icewm)
(right click, then click create folder)

You could instead of these 5 steps, after your current step 6, have
mkdir /home/user/.icewm/ (if the folder already exists you will just get an error message telling you this)

Quote

key "XF86HomePage+e" /usr/bin/XandrosFileManager

Thanks for finding out what the code for the Home key is, that will be useful.

Edited by Niel1952, 30 December 2007 - 10:23 AM.

[Niel1952]

This is what my suggested instructions looks like:

To make a keyboard shortcut to open file manager in easy mode, default Xandros distro, Asus EEE 701.

These instructions will make it so that pressing the home key + "e" (letter e key) will open the file manager, kind of like the way it works it MS Windows, as for the Windows explorer (file manager).


Instructions:
1. Open terminal window. (Ctrl-Alt-t)
2.Type or copy and paste the blue text below (into the terminal window)
mkdir /home/user/.icewm/
(this makes a folder called .icewm, if the folder already exists you will just get an error message telling you this.
The dot before icewm is important.)
then press Enter
3. Continuing in the terminal window, type copy and paste the blue text below:
(to paste in terminal window [shift-insert]
sudo cp /etc/X11/icewm/keys /home/user/.icewm/keys
then press Enter
4. Continuing in the terminal window, type or copy and paste the text in blue below :
sudo kwrite /home/user/.icewm/keys
Then when editing this file (keys), in kwrite (text editor) add this line below: (include the quotes and note that the gap constitutes two tabs)
key "XF86HomePage+e" /usr/bin/XandrosFileManager
5. Save this file and close the text editor.
6. Close the terminal window.
7. Reboot.

Note: Some people below are reporting problems with "XF86HomePage+e", if this doesn't work for you try "Alt+Ctrl+e".

Edited by Niel1952, 11 February 2008 - 04:15 PM.

[cpo]

Niel1952 and others,


Once people have tried these instructions and reported successful adoption of them, I think it would be great to post these instructions in the EeeUser Wiki at:
http://wiki.eeeuser....g_the_interface
(under the heading Customizing the Interface - Easy Mode)

Thanks again for your help with making this all work just dandy for me. And thanks to everyone that posted to help me out.


Happy New Year.
--------

[richardkemp]

The basic information is in the wiki somewhere guys - thats how I learned, as I've only ever used linux on this EEE, and only for a couple weeks or so.

Whats in there though is just 'look in the keys file' like I put. I'm comfortable with editing system files and doing full system restores when things go wrong, but I dont like random clutter in my user folder, so i prefer to edit the file in etc.

Glad to see you all have yourselves sorted out anyway!!!

[Niel1952]

Quote

Whats in there though is just 'look in the keys file' like I put. I'm comfortable with editing system files and doing full system restores when things go wrong, but I dont like random clutter in my user folder, so i prefer to edit the file in etc.

I am very grateful that you helped us on the way but we did need to figure out some things from the clues you gave.

I think there are a lot of people coming to this forum who need a lot of handholding at the initial stages and, if we can show them in step by step mode that doing some of this stuff is actually very easy, they won't be terrified of Linux.

The main reason for this post is in answer to the bit of your post I have quoted above. As I understand it, certain updates may overwrite the /etc/X11/icewm/ folder and, if this happens all your tweaking may be lost. For example the following message is in the winoptions file:

Quote

# Place your variants in /etc/X11/icewm or in $HOME/.icewm
# since modifications to this file will be discarded when you
# (re)install icewm.

This may be scaremongering but I don't want to take the risk myself.