Sam:
If you are still looking for an answer, here is how I did it (on an HP TC4400 running Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex 32-bit desktop).
1) Change the log-in screen to 'Plain', i.e., no themes. The xvkbd keyboard will not show up in a themed log-in. Do change log in to plain,
a) Click System -> Administration -> Login Window.
b) Select the 'Local' tab.
c) From the drop-down list under 'Style', select 'Plain'
d) When you select plain, a set of choices (different fro[CODE]m the themed log in choice) appears. Set screen position to x 100 and y 100. (You can change the position later by editing '/etc/gdm/gdm.conf-custom', but should leave it alone at this time.)
e) Close Login Window app.
2) Edit '/etc/gdm/Init/Default' (you will need to fire up your editor with 'sudo', as in 'sudo gedit /etc/gdm/Init/Default'). The last line should read 'exit 0'. Just before this line, insert the following -
Code:
##==============================================================
## Present the xvkbd for entering credentials. The 'sleep' ensures that the keyboard starts AFTER the log in screen and thus is not hidden behind it!
sleep 10 && /usr/bin/xvkbd -secure -geometry -5-5 &
##==============================================================
The '&' at the end of the 'sleep' line is essential. (I don't mean to imply that you would miss it, but I have screwed up such things before in my life, and wasted hours scratching my head afterwards.) You should tweak the 10 in 'sleep 10' after you observe how your computer reacts to it - I shortened the time considerably.
The set-up is done. Restart the X (control-alt-backspace). When you see the log-in screen for the first time, the keyboard will NOT appear immediately - remember the 'sleep 10'. Once the keyboard does appear, you should be able to use your tablet pen (or whatever pointing device you use) to enter user name and password.
Let me know if it works. If it does not, I'd like to help figure out what is not working and set it right. Good luck!
Anirudha
