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TOHKBD FAQ

asked 2015-06-20 23:22:31 +0300

kimmoli gravatar image

updated 2017-02-11 10:41:55 +0300

Frequently Asked Questions about TOHKBD

For Shortcuts and keycombinations look further in this answer.

Current version in store 0.5.23

Current version in OBS 0.5.23

Iijoki EA 2.1.0.9

For Early Adopters, a 2.1.0.9 rebuild is available from link below. It will be updateable through harbour when Iijoki goes public.

http://repo.merproject.org/obs/home:/kimmoli:/tohs/sailfishos_2.1.0.9/armv7hl/harbour-ambience-tohkbd2-0.5.23-78.1.armv7hl.rpm

Up to date changelog can be found from tohkbd2 settings application about page, and from mer obs project

DEVELOPERS

If you want to contribute with keyboard layout, please start reading README here: https://github.com/kimmoli/tohkbd2/tree/master/user-daemon/config/layouts

Q1: Why nothing happens when i attach TOH to the phone?

A: You have issue with NFC, proceed with following:

  • Check with original Jolla TOH that you hear sound when you attach
  • Check from Jolla Settings -> System -> About product that you see The OtherHalf ID there
  • Check that your tohd.service is not masked/disabled. First devel-su then systemctl status tohdshould return green active (running)
  • If not, try systemctl unmask tohd then systemctl enable tohd then systemctl start tohd and re-attach TOH
  • If problem persists, and even original Jolla TOH's doesn't work, please contact care via this link: https://jolla.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Q2: Why the virtual keyboard does not disappear when i attach keyboard part?

A: Maliit server is not restarted. Reboot your phone, or systemctl --user restart maliit-server


Q3: How can i install manually if my NFC does not work?

Q4: I want the bleeding edge stuff, how do i get it?

A: Manual install instructionshere: https://github.com/kimmoli/tohkbd2#installing-through-mer-obs-repo

Note that when you install from mer-obs, you dont see it in Store -> My apps. The software for tohkbd is not available as a regular app in the store, it is ambience package which installs when you attach TOH to the phone.


Q5: Why my ÅÄÖ does not work?

Q6: I have AZERTY/QWERTZ layout, but i get qwerty characters when i type with it?

Q10: The layout settings -option is grayed out in settings, why?

Q13: Why the Symbols €, £ and µ doesn't work?

A: Jolla Sailfish 1.1.7. version (and older) does not support changing keyboard layout.(even it is in UI) We need to wait for sailfish update. Current layout does not support compose or special chars outside of pc-105 US layout. The settings are grayed out becaused they do not work yet.


Q7: Why it does not work in Android apps?

A: This does not work on Jolla Sailfish 1.1.6.27 version (and older). TOHKBD works with Android from 1.1.7.x and higher.


Q8: I did back the Kickstarter project, when i get my tohkbd?

A: There is no clear answer to this. There is a list of shipped orders according to Kickstarter backer number. If your number is not on the list, it is not shipped. Come to IRC to find out more. See here how to find backer number: https://together.jolla.com/question/96836/tohkbd-faq/?answer=96838#post-id-96838

Also, be aware that there seems to be some issues with emailing notifications of shipments, and you might not get such email.

Dirk did assembly most of the Scandic layout keyboards first, as the parts for them arrived first. Some of other layouts have also been arrived (at time of writing this). There is no specific order in which the manufacturing happens, it is basically controlled by the availability of material.

Also the shipment may take anything between 2 days to 2 weeks to arrive. Please be patient.


Q9: Cool, this is so cool. How do i get one?

A: Sorry, You are late, about 7 months. There are nothing left. All stocks are empty. Finito. Loppu. Slut. But keep your eyes open for if someone wants to sell his/hers ?


Q11: My apps are in landscape even tohkbd is not attached, can you help?

A: The landscape forcing logic might get stuck. Use following sequence if it happend:

  • Go to TOHKBD Settings -> General settings, clear Force Landscape option.
  • Disconnect TOH part from phone.
  • Go to Jolla Settings -> System -> Display and change Orientation to Dynamic (propably it said Landscape?)
  • Re-attach TOH

Q12: I dont remember what address i provided or what color combination i selected

A: See here how to find survey info from Kickstarter: https://together.jolla.com/question/96836/tohkbd-faq/?answer=96838#post-id-96838


Q14: What if i ordered from funkyotherhalf.com ?

A: Your order will be handled after the kickstarter orders, you will get a notification from the webshop when it is sent.


Q15: How can i hide Fingerterm virtual keyboard?

A: Fingerterm virtual keyboard can be hidden from Fingerterm menu, Top-right corner Hamburger-menu, VKB Behaviour Off - Auto hiding coming (hopefully, PR is in)


Q16: I want to use Fingerterm in position where keyboard does not block Flash but it wont turn, why?

A: From SailfishOS version 1.1.9.28, Fingerterm rotates to both, Landscape and Inverted Landscape. Unfortunately Fingerterm does not support Inverted Landscape. Silica version (not released) supports it, so again, patience.


Q17: Keyboard keeps flashing backlight, and removed/connected notifications keep coming...

Q18: Keyboard keeps repeating keys, not registering keypresses properly and all s#%¤ like that

A: Most propably the TOH contact pads needs to be cleaned. Easiest to do this is take TOH out from phone, take PCB out from 3d printed case (it is not fixed there so should pop out easily). Then use dry, clean paper towel/tissue and rub both of the 6-pad gold contact areas - specially the small grooves between the pads.

UPDATE Just confirmed that there seems to be RF field immunity issue when using 4G mobile data and keyboard is attached on left-side of the phone. As workaround, use 3G mobile data (or wifi) or attach keyboard on right-side of the phone.


Q19: My TOHKBD does not start automatically anymore after reboot or when attaching TOH to phone

A: Propably the TOH EEPROM contents has been corrupted.

If you have manually started daemon, please stop it systemctl stop harbour-tohkbd2 as root.

Then, keep TOH part attached to the phone, but not the kbd part, and follow instructions steps 1 to 6 on this wiki page [1]

In the EEPROM page you should see screen with following values: (if everything is ok)

Vendor ID:   1989
Product ID:  0003
Revision:      01
EEPROM Size: 0100
CFG Addr:    0040
CFG Size:    0010
UDATA Addr:  0080
UDATA Size:  0000

If all those values are correct, continue from step 14 from the wiki page. This was not the problem you had.

Typically corruption hits the first parameter(s), so you might see something like FF89 instead of 1989. If values are incorrect, just tap and edit them to correct ones, then continue instructions from step 9 from the wiki page by writing values to EEPROM.

Now, reattach TOH part to the phone and check does the daemon start properly and does keyboard work. You can check daemon from tohkbd settings application, if About page shows version number for it, it is ok (Note that the version is read when settings app is started)

[1] = https://wiki.merproject.org/wiki/The_other_half#Use_the_I2CTool_to_write_EEPROM


Q20: The virtual keyboard was stuck on TOHKBD minimal layout after removing keyboard. How to restore?

A: If you have never set your virtual keyboard layout, the default is set by device language, but seems it is not available for TOHKBD in the way it checks it. Disconnect TOH from phone, and go to Jolla Settings > System > Text input and change the virtual keyboard layout to your preferred language (when stuck, it should show TOHKBD there)


Q21: The ambience is installed, but why the keyboard does not start working when attaching TOH to phone? It works after rebooting phone.

A: Maybe you are attaching TOH to phone wrong way... Attach TOH to phone correctly: Start by placing TOH on the USB connector end of phone, then snap it in place. This is to make the microswitch switch last, as the EEPROM is read by tohd when microswitch is pressed. If it fails to read it (which may happen when starting from bottom edge) the daemon does not start.


Q22: Why selected layout is not working in Android apps?

A: On 1.1.9.28, the Sailfish started to support layout switching for physical keyboads. Unfortunately this change has no effect on Android apps, which still are US (QWERTY) only. Waiting for Sailfish update to fix this.

Meanwhile, community workaround is out there, which requires replacing file

/opt/alien/system/usr/keychars/Generic.kcm

with a custom one, and restart Android support.

DISCLAIMER These are courtesy of people in talk.maemo.org tohkbd2 thread, and IRC. I have not made these. I have not tested these (I do not use Android apps).

DISCLAIMER You should really know what you are doing. TAKE BACKUP of original file before overwriting.

Note; You might also need to replace .kl file if such is provided in above links.

/opt/alien/system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl

Q23: When changing layout, first keypress is with previous layout

A: This is a known issue, happens also with bluetooth keyboards. Mostly annoys people who switch between RU/EN layouts. Jolla knows about this but no ETA for fix.


Q24: Why some of the keys are not working properly? i can't type @ or { [ | ] } ?

A: There is still small issue with some symbols. This is caused by missingAltGr key in one of the sailfish key mapping configuration files, boston.qmap.

While waiting Jolla to fix this, you can install fixed boston.qmap from OpenRepos: https://openrepos.net/content/kimmoli/boston-qmap-fix

Note, that you (most propably) need to re-install this after SFOS update.

UPDATE! Fixed boston.qmap is in SFOS update from 2.0.2.51. You'll need remove that OR package and re-install sbj-configs. For still unknown reason, OR package blocks it from updating the file, and reverts it to the older version.


Q999: I have other question, where i can ask it?

A: PLEASE come and chat with us in IRC freenode #jollatohkbd - for online client, click here

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Comments

For those with non-functioning nfc (tohkbd and other toh's not seen by phone), see this for tricks to get it back working again (worked for me): https://together.jolla.com/question/73184/toh-not-installing-ambience/

(Though if you still have warranty, it may be a better idea to let care take care of it...)

ssahla ( 2015-06-21 00:40:08 +0300 )edit

My keyboard is not detected. I have enabled the tohd service as described above (it was disabled because of crashes in some very old Sailfish version), and my original toh cover is detected properly (phone vibrates, switches theme, also displays toh id in About page). The keyboard toh is still not detected however. What else is there to try? The FAQ lacks an answer for "If problem persists, even though the original Jolla TOH's work" as far as I can tell?

EDIT: I looked at some images of the circuit board and it looks like there is something in the rectangle labeled NFC, but mine is just empty (both sides). Is there some kind of NFC sticker that should be there that is missing? Just a wild guess, but it looks like there are no connections to that area, so I guess NFC is just used to identify the TOH? (No, there is no loose NFC sticker or anything else loose in the box)?

EDIT2: Yes, it works with the manual installation instructions! Some odd things about the keys, but I guess that is related to other parts of the FAQ.

pellen ( 2015-06-26 11:54:38 +0300 )edit

Will functioning enter and backspace in terminal also have to wait for an OS upgrade? And in emacs (in terminal) it seems like Meta is permanently pressed?

pellen ( 2015-06-26 15:19:36 +0300 )edit

Maybe update Q8 with this (from IRC 2015-07-05):
(somebody) what do you plan doing the next batch of scandinc layouts?
17:48 < dirkvl> this week
17:48 < dirkvl> probably
17:48 < dirkvl> well see how it goes
17:49 < dirkvl> 261 left
17:49 < dirkvl> like 16 stealth, which i dont have yet
17:49 < dirkvl> like 30 azerty, which is on hold till nex keypad batch
17:49 < dirkvl> rest is qwerty and scandic
17:50 < dirkvl> and maybe some qwertz
17:50 < dirkvl> ran out of brushed black, so have a pile of those that are just waiting on backplate

urjaman ( 2015-07-06 02:47:54 +0300 )edit

addition to Q6: I have QWERTZ layout,...? And I can use QWERTZ with driver 0.4.0 if I select "layout->QWERTZ". It is not grayed out. Makes typing easier for me. :-) Special characters like "ÄÖÜ" still not working, but lets wait for the next sailfishOS release.

jolladiho ( 2015-07-13 18:15:07 +0300 )edit

2 Answers

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20

answered 2015-06-21 00:06:24 +0300

kimmoli gravatar image

updated 2015-09-29 10:48:28 +0300

Shortcuts

Update: Changed and added features according to current 0.5.18 release

The keyboard has two blue-ring keys like the one below. With this you get the characters marked in blue to the keyboard. From now on we call this the Sym key. (There is also blue Sym marking on right Alt key, but we are going to ignore that for now)

image description

  • Sym + Ctrl + F1 gives helpscreen new
  • Sym + Alt switches layouts between RU and EN (Only if RU selected as primary physical layout) new
  • Sym + F1 ... F12 will start application that you can configure through settings app -> Shortcuts.
  • Sym + Ins Take a screenshot. Will be saved in /home/nemo/Pictures/ss{timestamp}
  • Sym + Del Selfie-led This will toggle white led on left-end of divider bar (Do not stare straight in it)
  • Sym + Home Toggle backlight Always on / Automatic setting
  • Sym + Left Decreases volume
  • Sym + Right Increases volume (Note, in Camera, these also works as shutter)
  • Sym+ @ Compose new email To get @ press just @ even it is in blue.. (NOT IN ALL LAYOUTS)

  • Alt + Tab is the task-switcher, keep Alt down and press Tab to switch through apps, release Alt to choose. You can also tap the application icon on the popup while keeping Alt pressed.

  • Ctrl + Alt + DelReboots the phone, with remorse. Rebooting is done via dsme "the correct way"

  • Ctrl + Alt + BackspaceRestarts Lipstick with remorse

Not tohkbd specific, but these works

  • Ctrl + A Select all
  • Ctrl + C Copy to clipboard
  • Ctrl + X Cut to clipboard
  • Ctrl + V Paste
  • Ctrl + Z Undo (found that this works on textfields by system, Redo not working in SFOS 1.1.6.x)
  • Shift+ Arrow -keys selects text

Sticky and locking modifiers

Modfifier keys Ctrl, Alt, Sym and Shift can be configured as Sticky or locking keys from settings app -> General settings.

  • Sitcky mode: Press once and the led on bottom-left corner (behind left Sym) will lit, then press another key to make key combination.

  • Locking mode: Press twice to lock key down until pressed again. Same led will lit.

  • Cycle mode: Press once for Sticky mode, Press again for Locking mode, press once more to release. new

Unfortunately there is only one led, and you can have multiple locks/stickies on....

When sticky or locking mode is enabled, you can still use modifiers as normally: press and hold while pressing another key.

Caps-lock

Caps-lock moved to Sym+ Left Shift

Caps-lock is released when Shift is pressed.

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Comments

3

I have a feature request: Ignore and turn off caps-lock if the user starts typing with shift pressed down. So that we don't need to see tYPING lIKE tHIS! Whomever got the idea that pressing shift should invert caps-lock rather than just turn it off should attend some usage lab courses!

00prometheus ( 2015-06-21 17:57:12 +0300 )edit

If you first write WITH CAPS ON and then press shift, and press A key it works like you explained, about'ish, bUT nOT lIKE tHIS. (actually third press of shift turns caps-lock off, as explained above)

kimmoli ( 2015-06-21 18:47:37 +0300 )edit

Is

  • Ctrl + X Cut

also available?

MoritzJT ( 2015-06-22 13:56:09 +0300 )edit

@MoritzJT Yes, it is, along with the other cut-copy-paste shortcuts (well at least they will be once the software gets updated).

@kimmoli Yes, I realise that: two shifts turn on caps-lock, a third shift turns it off again. That is why I phrased my comment as a feature request! :-)

00prometheus ( 2015-06-22 23:04:11 +0300 )edit
3

Is there a key combination for closing the current app? Like alt+f4 on a pc.

olpe ( 2015-06-23 20:01:30 +0300 )edit
8

answered 2015-06-20 23:45:02 +0300

kimmoli gravatar image

updated 2015-06-22 00:07:10 +0300

Q8 and Q12: Details: Finding out your kickstarter backer number:

Go to www.kickstarter.com and login. Click on top-right-corner to open a popup menu like this below, And click the Backed Projects -link

image description

Then find TOHKBD project row. It looks like this below, and click the blue (+) symbol to open more details

image description

There you see your backer number:

image description

Q12: And if you want to verify your shipping address, check what color-combination you selected, click the Survey tab:

image description

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Comments

What if I ordered on Dirks site instead of on kickstarter?

MoritzJT ( 2015-06-22 13:54:53 +0300 )edit

@MoritzJT Then your order will be handled after the kickstarter orders, you will get a notification from the webshop when it is sent.

kimmoli ( 2015-06-22 14:45:13 +0300 )edit

dayum.... that means i have to wait longer... ;(

toba ( 2015-06-24 18:38:56 +0300 )edit

I wonder if the batches are done according to the arrival of the material, like when all QWERTZ stuff is there, maybe all will be done in one batch instead of doing the Kickstarter ones first, then proceed to sth. else, then return to QWERTZ. That way I might get lucky :P

MoritzJT ( 2015-06-29 01:14:09 +0300 )edit
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Asked: 2015-06-20 23:22:31 +0300

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Last updated: Feb 11 '17