So in the 1.5 years I’ve been using my M200 I’ve

[Carl]

So in the 1.5 years I’ve been using my M200 I’ve never found a good use for the pen buttons on the bezel of the screen. Recently, I’ve stated using Topdesk – the expose clone for XP. I’ve now realized that I can map the pen buttons to invoke Topdesk to either window all applications or to display the desktop. While there’s no easy way to do the mappings directly from the Pen Buttons utility to Topdesk you can use Autohotkey to make an exe that basically ‘pushes’ the function key of your choice. (I made separate .exe files for F9, F11) I threw in files for F7 (spell check) and F8 (Kapsules/Konfabulator display widgets) for mapping the two other buttons. (I personally have the cross-menu mapped instead of the spell checker, but I already had the file so I decided to throw it in.)

I’d like to attach a zip file here that includes both the AutoHotKey scripts and the final exe files for anyone who doesn’t want to download AutoHotKey. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to attach files in this forum and I don’t have anywhere to permanently post the zip. So I’ve placed the zip at dropload for the next week – it’ll have to do. Get the file here: http://www.dropload.com/redeem.php?t...4e030bb36924aa

Running the executable will ‘push’ the function keys, thus calling a running Topdesk to do it’s expose goodness. For the security paranoid, use AutoHotKey to turn the script (it’s just a txt file) into an executable. To call the executable from the pen button you’ll need to use the Toshiba utility.

Anyway, I’ve found that the new buttons allow me to switch applications and access the desktop easier while in tablet mode. Hope that someone else finds this useful…

[Carl]

Guess I should reference Topdesk for those not familiar with it: http://www.otakusoftware.com/topdesk/

[Wcrocker]

That sounds really cool. Thanks for that tip, Carl.

[JRH]

Quick question - when you use TopDesk, when you shrink Explorer windows - do you get the half black screen thing?

I liked TopDesk alot, but with my M200, when I would use it explorer windows would not shrink properly - the site said something about maybe I didn't have enough memory.

If yours works OK please let me know - and thanks for the exe!

[Carl]

JRH, Topdesk works great for me. I did turn the animations off, although they worked too. I just preferred the speed of having them off.

There have been numerous bug fixes in the past months, so you may want to try the latest demo.

[Tarc]

Great application there [thumbsup], in a way it reminds me of the "Humane Interface" project by the regretted Jeff Raskin. Have to test it with dual monitors!


I Use Autohokey to map an external usb numpad. Spacewise, Ifound it a great 'right hand' alternative to the keyboard in tablet mode.

[JRH]

Hmmm...downloaded latest version (which was the same one I already had) and still have the bug where if I have several Explorer windows open, and hit F9 - the thumbnail representations are just plain wrong.

Some are blank - some have the wrong content. When I mouse over them I get the black bar with the correct title and on opening them they revert back to their proper status

The FAQ says I might have to update my video drivers - I've never done this - still running 45.91. Carl, do you have later video drivers running?

Thanks for your help!

[Carl]

JRH,

I'm running the stock M200 video drivers - I tried updating them once but it caused problems and anyway I've never had issues with the original version. (I later rolled the driver back to the original.)

I have live window updates enabled and am using uncompressed window images. (The uncompressed images take 2x the space, but with 1.25GB I've got memory to spare.)

The windows display and update properly, for IE, Maxthon, Firefox, Outlook, RSS bandit, Endnote, word, excel, etc etc. The only application that fails to display properly is TCL/TK based. These windows fail to display at all right now but they're there as I get the gray title bar when I mouse over them. I've been told that there is little the developers can do as the TCL runtime being used doesn't use the standard XP window calls.

Are you using any 'unusual' applications? If so, it could be that they're causing the problem. I'm also assuming that you're using an M200/205 - if not then it could be your drivers - I can't speak for other units. Lastly, you may want to contact the developers directly - in my experience they've been very responsive. (They fixed an earlier problem I had as a demo user so quickly that I purchased the program.)

[JRH]

Yes, I am running stock drivers on M205.

So after reading your post I messed around with the different settings - it seems like turning on Live Windows Updates fixes my problem - EXCEPT for OneNote and TabletPlanner (FranklinCovey) - when I hit F9 for those apps the tile images are correct but there are some flashing graphical problems. If I close the programs no problem.

If I turn OFF Windows Live Update and then turn on Update before tiling it works fine - only it's superslow before it tiles.

Thanks for all your help, I think I'll try contacting the developer!

[JRH]

For some reason, couldn't download your zip file - it says its already been picked up...