3 ms·
Blanking the screen? The only use I can imagine is as a boss key [0]. A dedicated device stuck in the side of the laptop or keyboard is conspicuous and theref
by metadat 4y ago
Blanking the screen? The only use I can imagine is as a boss key [0]. A dedicated device stuck in the side of the laptop or keyboard is conspicuous and therefore antithetical to the goal.
Might AutoHotKey be a universally superior solution?
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_key https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_key
- nl 4y ago> Blanking the screen? The only use I can imagine is as a boss key You've never wanted to stop people wanting to read messages over your shoulder? This is so common that most mobile/table operating systems have entire configuration systems about which parts of which messages to show on lock screens.
- metadat 4y agoI don't do much computing in public, and am confident in the assumption my digital life is truly that unremarkable to 99% or more of humanity. ^^
- wildzzz 4y agoIf you can't install anything, having a small MCU board that can mimic a USB keyboard could be good enough. You could load up a bunch of different keyboard macros based on number and duration of button presses. A more dedicated keypad would be a lot more functional but this thing fits inside a USB port so it would be good for on the go.
- aendruk 4y agoFor years I’ve kept a dedicated key mapped to `xset dpms force off` and tap it habitually when temporarily taking my attention away from the screen e.g. during lectures or when conversing with someone, as a small gesture of respect to the other party and a gentle guide for myself.
- Piskvorrr 4y agoThe opposite: a habit to take the device out when leaving the computer, so that you are at the box XOR it is locked. Pretty sure I have seen a similar solution actually using the on-device keys. (Had some coworkers that were quite intent on baggy-pantsing)