New Test Build of IcnClipBrd

Following the arrival of clipboard support in the Wimp, there’s a test version of IcnClipBrd available at http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software/test/

It now has the ability to turn actions on and off, as well as move the keys used to trigger them (within limits, because we’re restricted as to what gets through any version of the Wimp), so as to allow the non-clipboard stuff to be used on current builds of RISC OS 5 (and RISC OS Select, presumably… only 20 years too late).

The new module changes the operation of the *IcnClipBrdKeys command, so back up any settings for that which you might have. Then, it’s possible to disable Clipboard stuff whilst leaving everything else on with

*IcnClipBrdKeys -Cut Off -Copy Off -Paste Off -Overwrite Off

As standard, case swapping and date insertion are off, but these can be enabled on to Ctrl-S and Ctrl-T by

*IcnClipBrdKeys -SwapCase Ctrl-S -DateTime Ctrl-T

If you want to use Ctrl-D for inserting the date, instead of De-DOSifying filenames, you could do that with

*IcnClipBrdKeys -Extension Off -DateTime Ctrl-D

At any time, *IcnClipBrdKeys on its own will tell you what the current settings are.

Feedback welcome. It’s probably alpha-grade at present… you’ve been warned!

That didn’t work too well, did it… There’s a new version up now, r5669, which can tell the difference between cut and copy, or between paste and overwrite…

http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software/test/

I’ve been doing some testing, and it seems that this new IcnClipBrd and the Wimp can coexist quite usefully for those who really can’t cope with a complete new way of working (there’s been some kick-back in another place). Cut and Paste are best left to the Wimp, but if IcnClipBrd is configured to Copy on Ctrl-C then it will pick up the keypress when there is no selection and let the Wimp do it when there is.

Also, if you miss Ctrl-Z doing an “overwrite from clipboard”, and would prefer that functionality back in some form, you can reconfigure it to another key (I use Ctrl-Y for similarity to Zap).

All together, that is

*IcnClipBrdKeys -Cut Off -Paste Off -Copy Ctrl-C -Overwrite Ctrl-Y

It seems to be working here, at least (RISC OS 5.27 from 14th May 2020).

I’m unlikely to provide much in the way of support for such “dual use”, at least for the piggybacking of “Copy”, because I’ll be using the Wimp’s support from now on, but if it works for people than it’s an option. The Ctrl-Y idea is quite appealing, though.

I presume that !Zap will still correctly handle the CTRL-C (Copy highlighted chunk to cursor), CTRL-V (Move highlughted chunk to cursor) and CTRL-Y (Yank – recover last chunk deleted with CTRL-X).

I presume that !Zap will still correctly handle the CTRL-C (Copy highlighted chunk to cursor), CTRL-V (Move highlughted chunk to cursor) and CTRL-Y (Yank – recover last chunk deleted with CTRL-X).

I can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t… Can you?

I couldn’t work out whether CRTL-C and CTRL-V were handled by the OS or by the application. Thank goodness IcnClipBrd does not intrude.

Also, if you miss Ctrl-Z doing an “overwrite from clipboard”, and would prefer that functionality back in some form, you can reconfigure it to another key (I use Ctrl-Y for similarity to Zap).

Writable icons also support Ctrl-A so you can use Ctrl-A Ctrl-V to overwrite using just the left hand or Ctrl-U Ctrl-V if you like to use 2 hands. Ctrl-A Ctrl-X cuts all text in the icon Ctrl-A Ctrl-C copies all the text.

I couldn’t work out whether CRTL-C and CTRL-V were handled by the OS or by the application.

It depends on where they’re being used. Outside of icons, it’s the application — always. In icons, it will generally be the OS now, but previously was either a global hack like IcnClipBrd or individual applications.

It’s not clear cut, though, because the Wimp will pass on Ctrl-C — at least — if there’s no selection. That’s how IcnClipBrd coexists, because it registers a Post Filter on all applications and intercepts Key_Pressed events just before the application would see them.

The only way to be really certain is to use something like Clipboard to see what owns the clipboard data at any point.

Thank goodness IcnClipBrd does not intrude.

IcnClipBrd only intercepts keypresses in icons. It doesn’t, and never has (at least while I’ve maintained it) intercept events where the caret is not in an icon.

Also, if you miss Ctrl-Z doing an “overwrite from clipboard”,

?

Am I the only person that expects ^Z to “undo whatever was just pasted or cut”?

Does the Wimp support F8 as an alternative to do this?