Plasma Virtual Keyboard feedback needed

[frdbr]

Can you explain the use-case for transparency?

[waffles]

Yes. So having a toggle is useful for people with low mobility because an osk takes up a huge section of the screen. It’s not uncommon to see half your 15” screen being a keyboard and the other half being what little of a gajim window you can make out

Right now luckily most applications are Wayland but we occasionally run into some older programs like gtkatlantic which would use xwayland

Other examples are flashpoint, streamlink twitch GUI, and pokerth

[frdbr]

Thanks for the feedback, some questions:

@Fr3nzy-029

Option to use OSK as a floating window (with window decoration) that can be resized by mouse (at window corners/edges). This window is always visible and can be kept always on top of other windows.

In the plans, if you’d like to add any accessibility use-case please do so here or in the linked issue.

@Fr3nzy-029

Option to use full keyboard layout with modifier and function keys

Could you give us more feedback on how you use the full keyboard layout? In which cases do you use the modifier and function keys? Like in the terminal or in other programs? Please comment here or in the issue.

@Fr3nzy-029

Clicking on modifier key to toggle latch and then lock it (for using keyboard shortcuts like copy, paste)

Already in the making

@Fr3nzy-029

Suggestions for word auto complete while typing (similar to Windows 11)

Already implemented.

@Fr3nzy-029

Changing fonts and themes on OSK

What do you mean by changing font? Is that the font of the keyboard or the one of the input text? If it is for accessibility reasons, like contrast, shouldn’t it be done system wide or is there a specific reason to do it only on the osk? Please leave some feedback here in the comments on in this issue.

[MonkeyDishWasher]

Ctrl Esc Arrow keys, absolutely necessary and badly needed! (Lenovo Ideapad Duet 3 with PMOs, plasma mobile - almost perfect! just needs the keyboard….)

[MonkeyDishWasher]

And I found qmlconsole which does enough for terminal usage, but having it everywhere will make the dream come closer. Just need some more touch friendly apps on kde-mobile to make my day!

[Fr3nzy-029]

@frdbr Hi, I am sorry for the delayed response.

My usecases for floating OSK,

1. I need it for gaming as an accessibility user. While gaming in borderless window mode, it needs to be always on top and resizable at edges. It should be movable to any part of the screen, preferably by using the window decoration/titlebar.
2. Floating OSK is useful in general, where I need it to be open and use it without it taking over huge screen area and obstructing other programs.
3. Sometimes I need the OSK to be floating inside full screen programs. Example, I need to use it in full screen browser sessions or full screen gaming. This feature is optional but useful if it can be implemented.

Basically the full keyboard layout is needed for accessibility users as a replacement to the physical keyboard. I do all my keyboard operations through OSK. Here is a list of some of my usecases/examples.

1. While typing in some text fields and terminal, I need to use the arrow keys for finer control.
2. I need the ctrl, shift, super and other modifiers to execute shortcuts like copy, paste, show desktop (useful to minimize full screen programs), etc.
3. I use ctrl and shift latch/lock during text and file selections.
4. I need the function keys for shortcuts like alt+f4, which are useful to exit full sreen programs and programs that doesn’t respond to clicks.

The request for changing themes is mostly for visual purpose and is not required for accessibility. The OnBoard app has the option to change themes. Some OSKs use full black theme which may not be liked by some users. It would be nice if we can choose the colour theme of the OSK and its keys. It can also be useful for phone keyboard themes like in Android Gboard.
I have used GJS OSK and felt that its fonts were too thin in small windows. When I used bold font in its settings, it was usable but I personally didn’t like it. So it would be nice if the font is customisable in case the users don’t like it. My suggestions,

1. OSK follows system font
2. Separate font customisation for the OSK in its settings
3. If the font is predetermined and can’t be customised, then please choose a good font that is legible in all OSK window sizes (especially small windows).

I would also like to add another request. If the OSK keys are clicked and held, the key should be repeated. It has many use cases. Example,

1. Moving cursors with arrow keys, especially in terminal
2. It has many uses in gaming. I always use it for view rotation in games.

I noticed that voice typing feature is noted with Windows OSK and Gboard reference. This is very helpful for accessibility users, thanks to the devs for consideration. I hope it can be implemented well.

I have one more request. Is it possible to have custom layout of OSK? For example, while gaming I only need a few set of keys relevant to the game instead of the full keyboard layout. It would be nice if I can create a bunch of layout config files (need documentation guide) and switch between them using OSK settings drop-down. This is an optional request, would be nice if it can be implemented.