Greetings to all!
I've recently thought that Linux could benefit from a easy to use driver/control program for the Crystalfontz series of displays (USB and Serial). I've tried using LCDProc before, however, it is very complex, and while most Linux users can set it up, I think it would be far easier if there was a program that had a nice X11 GUI to it.
I just wanted to see what you all think about my ideas here, post any features you'd want to see for the LCD if you want to!
First- the GUI would be modelled after CrystalControl. Simple, and powerful. I don't know if CrystalControl has Keypad support- but it would definately have to be a must. A form of simple Menu designer would be useful (I think anyways) too, for maybe using the below feature.
Second- For any features that aren't available already in the program, users could write simple "modules" with some form of a well known Syntax that is easy to learn (I thought C++ was fairly easy to grasp the basics, although that was a few years ago when I first started). The modules can do whatever they want; they are saved somewhere and can be used at will under the Control GUI. The modules would all follow a standard "output" to the Control program to make things easy.
Third- Purely asthetic, but I would be seriously tempted to put in some options for Eye candy- like Screen changing, idle animations, Custom animations even for those that want to do so. Even some custom animated icons for the LCD Screen also.
Forth- Custom charactors.
5th- While I think that it is possible to write some form of a kernel driver/module for the LCD's, that is sort of overkill. I think there was a program out for Linux that made the LCD showup as /dev/lcd, but, I think it would be far easier if the GUI program had some form of a daemon that dealt with controlling the LCD instead of messing with the kernel.
and 6th- Some form of again, a Module like plugin for the GUI interface to make things easy for premade modules.
I'm sorta leaning towards a GUI interface as I said like CrystalControl, but also somewhat like LCDC.
Let me know what you think- and of any other features you might want!
Thanks,
Keven Tipping
I've recently thought that Linux could benefit from a easy to use driver/control program for the Crystalfontz series of displays (USB and Serial). I've tried using LCDProc before, however, it is very complex, and while most Linux users can set it up, I think it would be far easier if there was a program that had a nice X11 GUI to it.
I just wanted to see what you all think about my ideas here, post any features you'd want to see for the LCD if you want to!
First- the GUI would be modelled after CrystalControl. Simple, and powerful. I don't know if CrystalControl has Keypad support- but it would definately have to be a must. A form of simple Menu designer would be useful (I think anyways) too, for maybe using the below feature.
Second- For any features that aren't available already in the program, users could write simple "modules" with some form of a well known Syntax that is easy to learn (I thought C++ was fairly easy to grasp the basics, although that was a few years ago when I first started). The modules can do whatever they want; they are saved somewhere and can be used at will under the Control GUI. The modules would all follow a standard "output" to the Control program to make things easy.
Third- Purely asthetic, but I would be seriously tempted to put in some options for Eye candy- like Screen changing, idle animations, Custom animations even for those that want to do so. Even some custom animated icons for the LCD Screen also.
Forth- Custom charactors.
5th- While I think that it is possible to write some form of a kernel driver/module for the LCD's, that is sort of overkill. I think there was a program out for Linux that made the LCD showup as /dev/lcd, but, I think it would be far easier if the GUI program had some form of a daemon that dealt with controlling the LCD instead of messing with the kernel.
and 6th- Some form of again, a Module like plugin for the GUI interface to make things easy for premade modules.
I'm sorta leaning towards a GUI interface as I said like CrystalControl, but also somewhat like LCDC.
Let me know what you think- and of any other features you might want!
Thanks,
Keven Tipping
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