Zboard MERC

From Gentoo Linux Wiki

[edit] Introduction

This guide aims to show you how to configure your Zboard MERC to work as expected in X11. Although there are no drivers for the keyboard, we will be using some xmodmap configurations to get it working and functional. ALSO NOTE: I recently created a program that should manage the keyboard for you, it hasn't been through much testing but it provides more functionality then just xModMap and is currently the recommened approch. To download click here (at time of writing this, the latest version is 0.1.1).

[edit] Preparing xmodmap

We need to create a file with the xmodmap configuration for our keyboard, your home directory is a good place. Run the following command to create an empty file:

  # touch .Xmodmap

Now follow the step relevant to your Zboard MERC.

[edit] MERC Keyboard

Add the following to your .Xmodmap file.

! ZBoard MERC Keyboard Config
! Created by Matt 'aka Mr. Pig' Razza

! [START] Multimedia Keys (Music)
keycode 162 = XF86AudioPlay
keycode 164 = XF86AudioStop
keycode 160 = XF86AudioMute
keycode 144 = XF86AudioPrev
keycode 153 = XF86AudioNext
keycode 176 = XF86AudioRaiseVolume
keycode 174 = XF86AudioLowerVolume
! [END] Multimedia Keys (Music)

! [START] Program Load (Custom - I, II, III) Keys
! keycode 182 =
! keycode 183 =
! keycode 184 =
! [END] Program Load (Custom - I, II, III) Keys

! [START] Numpad
keycode 245 = BackSpace KP_0
keycode 107 = Delete KP_1
keycode 188 = XF86Cut KP_2
keycode 248 = XF86Copy KP_3
keycode 106 = Insert KP_4
keycode 103 = End KP_5
keycode 105 = Next KP_6
keycode 122 = XF86ModeLock KP_7
keycode 97 = Home KP_8
keycode 99 = Prior KP_9
keycode 192 = plus
keycode 82 = minus
keycode 198 = asterisk
keycode 232 = slash
! [END] Numpad

! [START] Gamepad of Keyboard (LEFT)
! Red Area (Movement)
! keycode 231 = q
! keycode 130 = w
! keycode 122 = e
! keycode 234 = a
! keycode 232 = s
! keycode 233 = d

! Left Area (Score, Voice)
! keycode 140 = Caps_Lock
! keycode 161 = Tab
! keycode 236 = Alt_L
! keycode 112 = Shift_L
! keycode 91 = Control_L

! Right Area (Reload, Use)
! keycode 230 = r
! keycode 157 = f
! keycode 247 = v
! keycode 170 = c
! keycode 93 = t
! keycode 131 = g
! keycode 132 = b
! keycode 63 = space
! keycode 191 = p
! [END] Gamepad of Keyboard (LEFT)

As of now this only makes the numpad function, the code for the left gamepad is there, but commented as some of the keycodes overlap.

[edit] Getting xmodmap to load the file

Now you need to have xmodmap load the configuration file after X11 launches. To do this you need to type the following command into the terminal after it loads, or add it to a file that is executed after X11 loads.

  # /usr/bin/xmodmap $HOME/.Xmodmap

Replace $HOME with the full path to your home directory.

[edit] Other Links

In case I forget to update this page, you may want to check the following thread (I'm Mr. Pig).