Keyboard shortcuts for clicking the scroll wheel

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-08-2010, 02:28 AM

Hey linux experts,
Thanks in advance, I have spent way too long googling with no results as to how to make a keyboard shortcut for clicking the scroll wheel. The whole reason is so I can move freely around the desktop cube. for instance, I really would like to be able to do something like hold <super>+<left click> to emulate the click wheel being depressed. Why? because I have no mouse. only a mere mouse pad.
-Ledzep

GlennsPref · 12-08-2010, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Hi, Welcome to LQ!

LQ has a fantastic search function that may save you time waiting for an answer to a popular question.

With over 4 million posts to search it's possible the answer has been given.

Well, I was attracted by your call sign. ledzepp

While I not familiar with a mouse pad, as such,

I use a wireless logitech mouse and keyboard, I do not use any logitech software.

I just choose a 105 key keyboard (std US)

and the mouse 3 button emulation, which allows me to paste anything I last copied to the command

line or into a text doc with the middle(scroll button).

The mouse emulation is listed in the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

The same file looks after you inputs and outputs (Unix fashion) stdin, stdout and stderr.

I suggest you look at these parameters and search for your hardware in a google/linux search engine.

Cheers, Glenn

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-09-2010, 12:33 AM

Thanks Glen,
I didn't find any way to configure the command in the menu for keyboard shortcuts but all of your information helped greatly. Just an fyi, I haven't been using linux very long. It's only been a week now so I don't understand everything about the OS yet.
-ledzep

GlennsPref · 12-09-2010, 01:39 AM

OK, we need some more info.

Can you post the contents of the text file /etc/X11/xorg.conf between tags.

purely for display purposes.

What is the brand and model of your mouse-pad,

is it a synaptic touch that comes with Laptops?

What is your OS, and kernel specs?

distro name & version

Code:

cat /etc/*release*

kernel

Code:

uname -a

your turn.

Regards Glenn

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-09-2010, 11:56 AM

/etc/X11/xorg.conf doesn't exist. The directory /etc/X11/ does though.

My mouse pad is the one that came on the dell inspiron 1440. I will look up the specific type shortly. It's not syaptic.

I have the most recently updated form of linux ubuntu 10.10 (maverick meerkat).
Distro- Linux Ubuntu 10.10 amd64 directly from the website
This computer was originally formatted to run windows 7 premium home and office but is now on a dual boot with both OS's.

As far as your codes go glenn, I am a TOTAL noob at this stuff. I haven't long had the privilege of a computer to freely work with. I have only had a computer for less than a year and friend's computers in the past. I don't mean to say I don't know how to use a computer, just not much of linux yet.

I'm sorry I could not more directly answer your question. Your help is sooooo very appreciated.
-Ledzep

GlennsPref · 12-09-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

This computer was originally formatted to run windows 7 premium home and office but is now on a dual boot with both OS's.

Your hardware may be too new., but a quick google and I see 1440 is supported.

Keyboard commands for copy and paste are the same, ctrl+c (copy) and ctrl+v (paste).

This is a short-cut map from KDE4 desktop.

Code:

 "Ctrl+F8" for "kwin" : "ShowDesktopGrid"
 "Ctrl+F9" for "kwin" : "Expose"
 "Ctrl+F10" for "kwin" : "ExposeAll"
 "Ctrl+F7" for "kwin" : "ExposeClass"
 "Ctrl+F12" for "plasma-desktop" : "Show Dashboard"

 "Alt+Tab" for "kwin" : "Walk Through Windows"
 "Alt+Shift+Backtab" for "kwin" : "Walk Through Windows (Reverse)"
 "Alt+F3" for "kwin" : "Window Operations Menu"
 "Alt+F4" for "kwin" : "Window Close"
 "Ctrl+Alt+A" for "kwin" : "Activate Window Demanding Attention"
 "Meta+Alt+Up" for "kwin" : "Switch Window Up"
 "Meta+Alt+Down" for "kwin" : "Switch Window Down"
 "Meta+Alt+Right" for "kwin" : "Switch Window Right"
 "Meta+Alt+Left" for "kwin" : "Switch Window Left"
 "Ctrl+F1" for "kwin" : "Switch to Desktop 1"
 "Ctrl+F2" for "kwin" : "Switch to Desktop 2"
 "Ctrl+F3" for "kwin" : "Switch to Desktop 3"
 "Ctrl+F4" for "kwin" : "Switch to Desktop 4"
 "Alt+F12" for "kwin" : "Mouse Emulation"
 "Ctrl+Alt+Esc" for "kwin" : "Kill Window"
 "Alt+Print" for "kwin" : "Window Screenshot to Clipboard"
 "Ctrl+Print" for "kwin" : "Desktop Screenshot to Clipboard"
 "Alt+Shift+F12" for "kwin" : "Suspend Compositing"

 "Alt+F2" for "krunner" : "Run Command"
 "Alt+Shift+F2" for "krunner" : "Run Command on clipboard contents"
 "Ctrl+Esc" for "krunner" : "Show System Activity"
 "Ctrl+Alt+Ins" for "krunner" : "Switch User"
 "Ctrl+Alt+L" for "krunner" : "Lock Session"
 "Ctrl+Alt+Del" for "krunner" : "Log Out"
 "Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Del" for "krunner" : "Log Out Without Confirmation"
 "Ctrl+Alt+Shift+PgDown" for "krunner" : "Halt Without Confirmation"
 "Ctrl+Alt+Shift+PgUp" for "krunner" : "Reboot Without Confirmation"

I've never tried them all.
if you use gnome desktop, it may have a similar setup.

Regards Glenn.

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-09-2010, 11:29 PM

Wow, you are quite the helpful person. So now what I'm wondering is after I find the command that refers to the middle click, how do I assign a keyboard shortcut to it. I have thoroughly looked through gconf-editor and the simpler one under preferences. I am still looking through what you gave me. Thanks again soooooooo much.
-ledzep

GlennsPref · 12-10-2010, 03:07 AM

That's all I've got,

I use kde4 not gnome, but now you know that much, you can google it for more info, or

Ask a new question here @LQ using your new-found info.

It's gotta give somewhere. Mention your distro, your kernel

(by the way, those commands above, cut and paste them into a shell, maybe called xterm(hard to paste into) or terminal (term for short))

Kde offers konsole, which is very interactive, allowing cut and paste on the command line (cli).

Have a nice weekend, and all the best, Regards Glenn ;-)

TobiSGD · 12-10-2010, 05:18 AM

I also only have a touchpad on my laptop, and it is configured out of the box in Debian to emulate the middle mouse-click with pressing both mouse-buttons (left+right) at the same time. I am sure it is the same with Ubuntu, just try it.

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-10-2010, 03:03 PM

@glen
I can't thank you enough for all the info you have supplied. I am working on this with some direction now.

@Tobi
Mine works the same way but only in windows. it does not happen in linux. The scroll is different too. I suppose due to different drivers.

I'll post anything new I find out. thanks guys.

GlennsPref · 12-10-2010, 04:31 PM

When you find the keyboard commands to middle click, you can make an alias (shoutcut key binding, sort of)

in a file called bashrc, taking for granted your shell interpreter is bash.

Just type

Code:

echo $TERM

Code:

echo $SHELL

my system gives...

Quote:

glenn@GamesBox:~$ echo $TERM
xterm
glenn@GamesBox:~$ echo $SHELL
/bin/zsh

.bashrc sample file.... middle of page someplace.....edited for space and clarity...
ignore the line numbers, this is from a sample file.....

Code:

 #-------------------
 193 # Personnal Aliases
 194 #-------------------
 195 
 196 alias rm='rm -i'
 197 alias cp='cp -i'
 198 alias mv='mv -i'
 199 # -> Prevents accidentally clobbering files.
 200 alias mkdir='mkdir -p'
 201 
 202 alias h='history'
 203 alias j='jobs -l'
 204 alias r='rlogin'
 205 alias which='type -all'
 206 alias ..='cd ..'
 207 alias path='echo -e ${PATH//:/\\n}'
 208 alias print='/usr/bin/lp -o nobanner -d $LPDEST'   # Assumes LPDEST is defined
 209 alias pjet='enscript -h -G -fCourier9 -d $LPDEST'  # Pretty-print using enscript
 210 alias background='xv -root -quit -max -rmode 5'    # Put a picture in the background
 211 alias du='du -kh'
 212 alias df='df -kTh'
 213 
 214 # The 'ls' family (this assumes you use the GNU ls)
 215 alias la='ls -Al'               # show hidden files
 216 alias ls='ls -hF --color'	# add colors for filetype recognition
 217 alias lx='ls -lXB'              # sort by extension
 218 alias lk='ls -lSr'              # sort by size
 219 alias lc='ls -lcr'		# sort by change time  
 220 alias lu='ls -lur'		# sort by access time   
 221 alias lr='ls -lR'               # recursive ls
 222 alias lt='ls -ltr'              # sort by date
 223 alias lm='ls -al |more'         # pipe through 'more'
 224 alias tree='tree -Csu'		# nice alternative to 'ls'

so, this is how you may assign keys.

Globally, use the file in /etc/...
Locally (just for the $USER) find it /home/$USER/.bashrc

find file....

Code:

locate bashrc

No reason why you can't edit one file and share it with other $USERS on your system.
Except privacy and security!
Regards Glenn

MTK358 · 12-11-2010, 11:47 AM

It's possible you have "3-button mouse emulation", which means you can press the left and right buttons at the same time to do a middle click.

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-11-2010, 05:24 PM

I've been searching for a way to emulate a middle click. I've tried to use both left+right clicks to see if it works. But sadly enough I can't get enough information to actually make the emulation work properly. I've used all of the information here and I feel very close to figuring this out. The fact that I don't have synaptic creates issues though.

ledzeppeman@gmail.com · 12-11-2010, 05:46 PM

I got it to work. I read an article that said holding down left click while booting into ubuntu (not at the bootloader screen) will create a 3 button emulation. Turns out, that actually works. Now, my scroll doesn't work unless I go all the way over to the side bar and drag it. Is there some possible way to keep this 3 button emulation enabled while still being able to use my scroll option on the right side of my mouse pad?