SYSRQ...(part2)

[Mike A. Harris]

On Mon, 24 Jan 2000, willy tarreau wrote:

>> It is very apparent to me that my keyboard's
>behaviour
>> is relatively broken.
>
>ok, now there's no doubt about that.

Yep.  I wasn't sure the other day, but now that I have another
keyboard that SYSRQ does work with I have something to compare it
with.  ;o)

>> Ah, but you don't understand...  SYSRQ is a unique
>> code that only appears while ALT is held down.
>
>ok, you're right in that I didn't understand that this
>code only appears under this condition.

Yes, it is odd indeed, but a desireable thing for such a feature.

[SNIP]
>One interesting way to code this in the keyboard
>driver would be :
>
>- if the code 0x54 is read, then turn a SYSRQ_FLAG on.
>  This code only appears if both ALT and SYSRQ are
>  pressed.
>- if the code 0xB8 is read, then turn SYSRQ_FLAG off.
>  This code only appears if any ALT is released, no
>  matter the state of the sysrq key.
>- if any key is pressed while SYSRQ_FLAG is on, process
>  it as a SYSRQ combination.

Hmm, that sounds like a very good start!  I have a couple
concerns with it, but it sounds like a good start indeed.

>This allows to simply ignore the 0xD5 code sent by the
>defective SYSRQ key. Moreover, this would give a
>simpler SYSRQ usage : it would allow to :
>  - press ALT
>  - press SYSRQ then release it
>  - press the desired key [ then release it ]
>  - release ALT
>at any time, only two keys would be pressed
>simultaneously, while staying compatible with the

Correct.  I like this approach too.  I'm going to try and
implement it today.  If I do, I'll send my submission to Martin
Mares, et al for inclusion in the kernel.

>current behaviour. One of my friends who has lost one 
>arm would now be able to use SysRQ !

We could claim that the linux kernel also contains
"accessibility" features for Linux kernel hackers that are
disabled.

;o)

I'm going to get hacking now!  Thanks for your very good idea and
input into the situation!  I'll keep you informed of how I make
out!

TTYL


--
Mike A. Harris                                     Linux advocate     
Computer Consultant                                  GNU advocate  
Capslock Consulting                          Open Source advocate

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