From Gentoo Linux Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Comments 2.1 ebuild 2.2 Not working for me. 2.3 Hotplug Not Working

[edit] Introduction

I'm the original author of this wiki entry, and also of the powermated software. If anyone has any comments about either the wiki or the program, I'd love to hear them!

[edit] Comments

The udev rules don't match the udev documentation. According to the documentation, == is a test and = is a set. Could any of these steps be put into an ebuild? like installing the scripts or changing the files.

You are absolutely right about this. Also, the number must be smaller than 50 (e.g. 45-powermate.rules), because otherwise 50-udev.rules will already have handled the device. On top, you can set group and mode directly in the rule. I've changed that section to a rule that actually works (for me, anyways). The original was a big WTF and I don't think it ever worked.

[edit] ebuild

Yeah, I'm sure they could. The ebuild would be significantly simpler now with powermated 0.2.0 as well, since EvRouter is no longer required/recommended. Basically, after compiling the powermated module, the only step required is to compile, install, and run powermated.

[edit] Not working for me.

I am using the kernel linux-2.6.9-gentoo-r13 and hotplug just isn't working. It doesn't seem to be running but all the drivers are installed.

[edit] Hotplug Not Working

Are you running /etc/init.d/hotplug on start up?

try doing: /etc/init.d/hotplug start

if it's not running that'll start hotplug.

To make it run at start up do: rc-update add hotplug default

Also, another thing you can do, is manually load the neccessary kernel modules. All hotplug is needed for is automating the process. Ie, if you disconnect your powermate it'll unload the module, and when you plug it back in it'll reload it. But if you want you can put all that in your startup files (ie /etc/modules.autoload)

so for example:

modprobe evdev && modprobe powermate

now you should be able to run powermated (assuming your permissions are set correctly in /dev/event/*)

try launching powermated with the -g paremeter, this'll give you some helpful debugging output if all is not well.

The most basic thing you can do is to manually cat each device in /dev/event/ and turn the knob. (do this as root). When you come to the device attached to the powermated it'll spit out garbage when you turn the dial.

If you still need help, try posting a message in the [powermated forums], I check those more often than this page.