Need an easy button for a post-install on screen keyboard

[gr362]

Hello,

Please implement an easy button in the installer that will enable an on screen keyboard post-install. This is for touch screen kiosks we are trying to implement. We can't without the touch keyboard.

I think I have read 7 past discussions where there are some differing recommendations for finally getting to an on screen keyboard where one recommendation is to re-master the ISO, and then see this thread which points to another thread which then points to another thread, and another is to type in some commands to update the white list, or to chown the xpi file, try some of this or some of that with some browser extensions...... why is all of this work necessary? The install wizard seems to have every other option but this is a glaring oversight.

I recently demonstrated Porteus to a client and they were very impressed, until they came to realize that there was no OSK. That was the most confusing part of all, because I told them there was an OSK as I had pressed the button and saw it.(Now I know that is only XVKBD, which does not live past the install ) At the time I just thought it was a great standard feature. I am trying to use Porteus Kiosk 4.8. Other than the missing OSK Porteus Kiosk is very impressive.

[fanthom]

Hello gr362,

If there was a decent virtual keyboard available (preferably implemented on the OS level) then we would have it as an option in the wizard long time ago.

VK situation for Linux is as follows:

a) vk extension for Chrome (pflmllfnnabikmfkkaddkoolinlfninn) works great in general but does not work on iframes (due to Chrome security policies) and on the URL bar.
Not perfect.

b) vk for Firefox (FxKeyboard addon) works everywhere in the browser including URL bar but is not compatible with Firefox Quantum (57+) so we cant use it.

c) Florence/XVKBD are implemented on the OS level (works everywhere, even outside of browser, e.g. wizard) but they do not popup automatically on the input fields.


Here we are - 21st century and no decent "on-screen keyboard" solution for the Linux platform.


Thanks

[rocket]

Hi (just registered to post this as I am in the same situation as the op) wouldn't it be possible to use the button-bar to implement a button in the "onscreen_buttons" for launching the keyboard on demand? It mustn't be popping up by itself but launchable and "on top".

[fanthom]

Hello rocket,

Situation has improved a bit and this is possible now in a customized build and the Firefox browser:
https://porteus-kiosk.org/builds.html


Thanks

[john4gaming]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDVuOvy ... e=youtu.be
browser_preferences=http://www.chromium.org/administrators/policy-list-3
browser_preferences="DeveloperToolsDisabled": false,
browser_preferences="DefaultGeolocationSetting": 2,
browser_preferences="ExtensionInstallWhitelist": true,
browser_preferences="ExtensionInstallForcelist": true,
manage_bookmarks=http://google.com
homepage=https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... cijmpgbhab
disable_private_mode=yes

a) vk extension for Chrome (pflmllfnnabikmfkkaddkoolinlfninn) works great in general but does not work on iframes (due to Chrome security policies) and on the URL bar.
Not perfect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_U1DXEigs
homepage=https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... olinlfninn
browser_preferences=http://www.chromium.org/administrators/policy-list-3
browser_preferences="DeveloperToolsDisabled": false,
browser_preferences="DefaultGeolocationSetting": 2,
browser_preferences="ExtensionInstallWhitelist": true,
browser_preferences="ExtensionInstallForcelist": true,
disable_private_mode=yes

This has the option of Open URL bar.

Without extensions:
youtu.be/1TyHpL-LPeA
homepage=http://typeterra.com
right_mouse_click=yes

[jimjunkdude]

Sorry to tack on to an existing thread, but this seemed appropriate instead of creating another "why no onscreen keyboard?" thread. So I'm in the same boat. I recognize that the issue is fundamental to the underpinnings. For some organizations, it seems that paying for a custom build is the way to go. Would this custom build also work with update subscription? How much time could one reasonably expect to get from a deployment before having to wipe and reload the kiosk hardware? For example, a custom build is installed, and receives updates. Could one expect to get 2 years out of that deployment before having to reload with an updated custom build? Just thinking about the possibilities... Thanks, ~jj

[fanthom]

Hello jimjunkdude,

"Would this custom build also work with update subscription?"
Yes

"How much time could one reasonably expect to get from a deployment before having to wipe and reload the kiosk hardware?"
I think you meant the "kiosk software"?
If updates are enabled then you never update the software manually. Kiosk updates to latest version during every boot.

"Could one expect to get 2 years out of that deployment before having to reload with an updated custom build?"
Explained above.

Thanks