[Jim's Web Nook | Software | x11-ssh-askpass | Grabbing the Keyboard]

Grabbing the Keyboard and x11-ssh-askpass

Versions of x11-ssh-askpass prior to 1.0.2 would occasionally exhibit a problem grabbing the keyboard on faster machines. The problematic scenario is as follows:

• I assign ssh-add to a shortcut keystroke in a graphical environment (for example, in an Application menu item under Window Maker).
• If i press the shortcut keystroke without releasing the key fast enough, x11-ssh-askpass fails to grab the keyboard (presumably because the key hasn't been released yet).
• Hence, x11-ssh-askpass complains and then exits.

This is, unfortunately, not very useful behavior. Version 1.0.2 changes this:

• When x11-ssh-askpass starts, it tries to grab the keyboard (if it's configured to do so via the *grabKeyboard resource), just as before.
• If the grab fails, however, x11-ssh-askpass goes to sleep for a short time, then wakes up and tries to grab the keyboard again.
• If, after several attempts, x11-ssh-askpass still can't grab the keyboard, it complains and then exits as before.

The same applies to grabbing the pointer.

This behavior is more flexible and better suited for an asynchronous environment like X11.

[Jim's Web Nook | Software | x11-ssh-askpass | Grabbing the Keyboard]