Space Navigator PE Driver Development Thread

**ironfinger** · 07-17-2007, 04:12 AM

oh man this looks complicated. Is there a way you can post a sample working script that I can then fudge with?

**shotgunefx** · 07-17-2007, 08:15 AM

Damn you guys!, adding to cart. I need to find a good spot for it though.

I'm sure cause I'm using Linux it will be a huge PITA

**ik632** · 07-17-2007, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by shotgunefx

Damn you guys!, adding to cart. I need to find a good spot for it though.

That's my problem now, finding a spot to put the device.

I'm using CF and I have it currently mapped to the following:

Pull Up - Media mode
Press Down Short (<500ms) - pause
Press Down Long (>750ms) - main menu
Push Right - next track
Push Left - Previous track
Push Forward - mouse wheel
Push Back - Mouse wheel

I don't have anything mapped to the tilt features or the buttons yet.

**shotgunefx** · 07-17-2007, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by ik632

That's my problem now, finding a spot to put the device.

I'm using CF and I have it currently mapped to the following:

Pull Up - Media mode
Press Down Short (<500ms) - pause
Press Down Long (>750ms) - main menu
Push Right - next track
Push Left - Previous track
Push Forward - mouse wheel
Push Back - Mouse wheel

I don't have anything mapped to the tilt features or the buttons yet.

I'm thinking I'm going to be moving my mirror controls (the next year actually moved them to the door control panel ... hmmm)

As far as control, in the front-end, I'm thinking
Pull Up - Toggle through apps maybe
Press Down, toggle play/pause
Push Right - next track
Push Left - Previous track
Push Forward - scroll up through media list
Push Back - scroll down through media list.
Rotate Left - Vol down
Rotate Right Vol Up

I have a felling I'm going to learn alot more about Xinput drivers then I care too

**cherrybomb** · 07-17-2007, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by ironfinger

oh man this looks complicated. Is there a way you can post a sample working script that I can then fudge with?

Actually, the config file that's included does work. If you remove all of the comments, it's a fairly simple example configuration. Uses mostly the mouse though.

I'd post some of my stuff, but it's still rough, and not exactly "simple".

**cherrybomb** · 07-17-2007, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by shotgunefx

Damn you guys!, adding to cart. I need to find a good spot for it though.

I'm sure cause I'm using Linux it will be a huge PITA

Well, the current app does not work in Linux, however, the original goal of the project was for it to be multi platform, and MOST of the code is portable. There are some bits that would need to be tweaked for Linux, which will be done, but is low on the priority list.

If you plan to do some dev work for Linux, by all means, let me know, and you can contribute to the project. :-)

**shotgunefx** · 07-17-2007, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by cherrybomb

Well, the current app does not work in Linux, however, the original goal of the project was for it to be multi platform, and MOST of the code is portable. There are some bits that would need to be tweaked for Linux, which will be done, but is low on the priority list.

If you plan to do some dev work for Linux, by all means, let me know, and you can contribute to the project. :-)

I appreciate that and I very well may depending on how well what's available works. My big problem as usual is free time. I shouldn't even be buying this as I know it's going to eat time I don't have.

I've seen some people using the evdev drivers with some luck. I guess I'll have to see how much (or how little) functionality there is and if it will suite my needs and figure it out from there. I really don't need it to act as regular X pointer, I'm fine with it if I can just use it in the apps I'm writing.

update
Hmm, looked through the schematics for my car and the newer models with the switch relocated are identical as far as the ECU etc, only have to relocate the wires to the switch itself, and by happy accident, I have one of those newer switches in my "parts room", scavenging pays off again

So if it fits there, I'll have the perfect spot.

update
Just got it. Haven't tried it in Linux yet, but played with it on Windows, this thing is great!

The Mirror switch is the perfect spot ergonomically

So just need to figure out how to mount it. I don't know if I'm going to keep the base or not. I might just make use a piece of abs and mount it to that underneath with some spacers , but I'll probably have to hack the cable.

Sorry if this is OT. I'll keep future posts to software issues only

**inh** · 07-20-2007, 11:31 AM

Ditch the baseplate. It's just a heavy weight, really. Plus, it allows you to use the screw posts orginally holding the base to the unit to mount it

**shotgunefx** · 07-20-2007, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by inh

Ditch the baseplate. It's just a heavy weight, really. Plus, it allows you to use the screw posts orginally holding the base to the unit to mount it

I did. It's all done except I need to move it to the finished piece. Though I want to make a collar to reinforce the base (the portion above the console). I think it will end up snapping the legs over time.

On the software note, I'm going to skip X11 and either read it myself per app, or build a socket server to allow apps to subscribe to it.

I've already got access working through evdev and a test version already running in Perl. Can't believe how easy that was.

I'll probably start a new thread for that though

**inh** · 07-20-2007, 07:50 PM

Its been awhile since I've looked at the SN all disassembled (had to put it back together for its trip over here) But I'm pretty sure a hoel of the correct size would mount it perfectly, and you really shouldnt have to worry about screw posts breaking off if you size the hole right, and use some kind of washer on the screws..