[Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

hi,

I writed a virtual keyboard with QML and PySide, and a hildon input plugin ( so it is integrted to system, can be use like origin virtual keyboard )

and, this keyboard is fit for Chinese input, like below :

http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...ljflqf3qc9.png

now this application is in extras-devel repo. the application name is "mcip" .

the source code at here.

I start work at 2010 sep, you can find old post at this place, and if you can read Chinese, you can find the whole history at this place.

Before this version I feel my work is poor so cannot "Annnounce", but now, I think I can do this, do you think so? :]

Useage :

Intsall "mcip" in extras-devel repo. It will replace default virtual keyboard.

video from f2thak , thanks for his help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVz_veJ7jMY

ChaneLog :

mcip-nt1 0.4.0-maemo5-1

* change package name to mcip-nt1. ( someone need old but stable mcip :] )

* rewrite new gtk2/qt4 immodule, not use hildon-input-method anymore( It cannot support hardware Chinese input ).

* support hardware Chinese input( use ctrl switch CN/EN input).

* DONOT use hardware Chinese input in MicroB fullscreen mode.


0.3.0-maemo5-1

* rewrite Chinese input engine with c++. now the engine is a standard & navite QML plugin.


0.2.7-maemo5-1

* portrait t9 keyboard is back ( designed for Chinese pinyin input )

screenshot :
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...k50vwv0hnn.png


0.2.6-maemo5-1

* improve rotate support, fit for CSSU forced rotate
* @ key and shift now can toggle
* add cursor navigation adn copy/pastr pad
* add 10ms delay when commit, prevent to commit before keyboard hide ( it may cause commit failed )

screenshot (cursor navigation adn copy/pastr pad ):

step 1 : at noraml state, touch text area
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...oonfo0f7hp.png

step 2: navigate pad will popup. arrow key is arrow key, "P" is Paste, press "S" will start select
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...g2ehh0gmlm.png

step 3 : touch "S", pad will change. now, "C" is Copy, "X" is Cut
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...4z1n44p4qp.png

step 4 : in select mode, use arrow key select text
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...30ntkunkr3.png

step 5 : when select well, press "C", copy and exit select mode
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...g2ehh0gmlm.png

step 6 : move to right place, press "P" to paste
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...49940ks8k4.png

step 7 : when everything done, touch anywhere except navigate pad to close navigate pad


0.2.5-maemo5-1

* add portrait mode.
* add send enter keyevent function.( input "www.google.com" then press enter add a new line, and close inputpad, then will send a enter keyevent after commit. )

known issue : in MicroB, if browse rotate, sometime cannot commit text.

screenshot:
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...hf4bhbb4ei.png


0.2.4-maemo5-1

* fix touch point offset when finger release.
* show in dialog mode
* add CN/EN mode switch.
* add Chinese punc.
* backspace can auto repeat.

screenshot:
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...c447eflc44.png


0.2.3-maemo5-1

* support userdict and phrase freq adjust.


0.2.2-maemo5-3

* showFullScreen Mode.

* Impove English and symbol input. Press and hold "space key", move to charact key, release, it will commit lowercase charact, same as "shift key" for uppercase and "@ key" for symbol.

* space key can select first candridate.

* remve mscim conflicts. so it will work with mscimswitcherstatus.

screenshot ( a example fo symbol input ) :

step 1 : in normal status
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...jpopbkoobv.png

step 2 : press @ key, keyboard show symbol layout
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...4vvvrvirpn.png

step 3 : hold your finger, and move to symbol
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...6gejh9ejke.png

step 4 : release finger, commit symbol
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...rqxl2v754r.png

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

Looks promising! Like the popup on hover.

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

yes is great, but did u had solved the problem which cause missing default vkb while using mcip. if yes i will try it, one more does it spport copy and paste too

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

Just to give some feedback...

Pros:

• The symbol virtual keyboard is left intact

Cons:

• Does not coexist with the system's default virtual keyboard
• No portrait mode support (unexpected, as there was a very nice T9 UI before)
• Does not work for browser textboxes (as documented)

Suggestions:

• Don't show the desktop background
• Display in a standard dialog (like the symbol keyboard)

Offtopic: I really hope we'll be able to input Chinese characters using the hardware keyboard without breaking anything (which mscim certainly does). Is it possible to make a hildon-input-plugin like that?

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

Thanks for the mini-review!

I've made a pretty hack-y way of getting VKB and symbols back when using MSCIM. Read this thread for details.
All usual warnings apply!! I will not be responsible if your device requires reflashing afterwards, etc.

It's still not ideal, but may be a help for other MSCIM users.

Hopefully the work of Foolegg and others will soon make these kind of hacks redundant.

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

good work
does it have a portrait mode?

thank you thank you thank you thank you

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

I am looking for a better way for symbol input, give me some time.

the T9 ui is good, of course, I will let it back.

I have do a small fix for browser textbox support, just 10 min ago. you can check new version in repo.

and, the background is just a small taste, someone like it and someone hate, I think I should give it a option.

en...about hildon-input-method...I just want to say, the hildon-input-method is REALLY NOT designed for CJK language, as a example, you cannot phrase KeyEvent in your plugin ( you juse get a notify to know a KeyEvent, but you cannot phrase it ), so, it will be a great task to write a hard keyboard CJK input-method.

I think the better way is write a gtk/qt immodule to replace hildon-input-method, maybe I will try it.

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

0.2.2-maemo5-3

* showFullScreen Mode.

* Impove English and symbol input. Press and hold "space key", move to charact key, release, it will commit lowercase charact, same as "shift key" for uppercase and "@ key" for symbol.

* space key can select first candridate.

* remve mscim conflicts. so it will work with mscimswitcherstatus.

screenshot ( a example fo symbol input ) :

step 1 : in normal status
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...jpopbkoobv.png

step 2 : press @ key, keyboard show symbol layout
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...4vvvrvirpn.png

step 3 : hold your finger, and move to symbol
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...6gejh9ejke.png

step 4 : release finger, commit symbol
http://bbs.ifanr.com/data/attachment...rqxl2v754r.png

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

looks good but why are edge keys cutoff?

Re: [Annnounce] mcip - a Virtual Keyboard in QML with hildon input method plugin
 

because it can save screen space, put bigger button on the screen.
a cutoff button at screen edge is still ease to press, isn't it?:)