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OS/2 Shareware BBS: 4 Drivers
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1997-03-15
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WINKEY for OS/2 Warp 3 and 4
Support for Win**** keys - Copyright (c) 1996-1997 Robert Muchsel
Internet: muchsel@acm.org
Release 2.00
Support for the infamous three additional
Win**** keys found on many new keyboards
-----------------------------------------
Freeware (see end of this file).
Many new keyboards have three additional keys to support the
Win**** line of operating(!) systems. Under OS/2 Warp, these keys
don't do anything useful. Under Warp 3, one of them even triggers
a print screen.
This OS/2 base device driver maps the left and right Win**** keys
to display the task list (same as Ctrl+Esc) and the menu key to
switch tasks (same as Alt+Esc).
This software has been tested with a genuine Win**** keyboard.
The key mappings work under DOS (both full screen and windowed),
WinOS/2 (both full screen and seamless), OS/2 VIO (full screen
and windowed) and the PM.
However, I cannot guarantee anything. Personally, I still use
an old keyboard without those annoying keys.
Installation
============
This software does NOT work under OS/2 2.x, OS/2 Warp 3 or 4 is
required.
- CHDIR to \OS2\BOOT of your boot drive.
- Execute
ATTRIB -R -S -H KBDBASE.SYS
- Rename KBDBASE.SYS:
REN KBDBASE.SYS *.OLD
- Copy the KBDBASE.SYS supplied with this package to
\OS2\BOOT.
Under Warp 3, if you want to ignore they keys instead of
remapping the keys, copy IGNORE.SYS to \OS2\BOOT\KBDBASE.SYS
If you want to reverse the meaning of Win* and menu keys,
copy REVERSE.SYS to \OS2\BOOT\KBDBASE.SYS.
- Reboot
How it works
============
Whenever the driver sees a left or right Win**** key, it
emulates a Pen gesture(!). OS/2 takes care of the rest - whenever
it sees a Pen gesture, it emulates the desired keyboard input.
This might seem like a dirty hack (it is), but the session
keys are hard coded into OS/2. Both Ctrl+Esc and Alt+Esc require
21 packets to be sent to the session manager. I found no
easy way to generate those 21 packets from a single key click.
This means you cannot redefine the keys to do something more
useful, e.g. to bring up the LaunchPad (which cannot be done by
a hot key). So please don't ask.
Licence
=======
Developing this driver has taken a considerable amount of time.
Despite of that, this software is free.
However, if you (rightly) feel that you should donate some money
or OS/2 development tools, please don't hesitate.
My postal address is: Internet:
Robert Muchsel muchsel@acm.org
Hegaublick 2
78465 Konstanz
Germany
Please understand that I cannot answer any letters if you don't
cover the return postage. E-mail is preferred.
You might want to donate something to Amnesty International instead.
WinKey for OS/2 is one of the most popular utilities for OS/2.
Although I receive a lot of "thank you" messages via e-Mail, not a
single person has yet donated to Amnesty International!?
Important
---------
The author disclaims all warranties as to this software, whether
express or implied, including without limitation any implied
warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose,
functionality, data integrity or protection, in so far as permitted by
applicable legislation.
All trademarks are property of their respective owners and appear for
identification purposes only.
You are encouraged to copy and pass on this program. However,
- the program must be distributed in its original form
(complete, unmodified)
- the distribution must not exceed the equivalent of DM 15.-
(US$ 8.50).
15 March 1997