[Linux] Key repeat problem

devel · September 2015

When you hold a key to show the map, it constantly flashes.

Earlier (previous build and maybe with Ubuntu 14.04) there was a workaround by disabling 'Key repeat' in the desktop environment settings.

Now disabling 'Key repeat' doesn't fix the problem completely: the 'current position' arrow on the map stays big.

Asraniel · September 2015

Does this happen with any other key ingame? i can't come up with an example, but it might help investigating the issue. Or is it just the map?

devel · September 2015

For example a Tab menu: it shows fine, but when I try to get a popup menu (by clicking with the mouse), the popup menu appears just for a split second. So it's not possible to click on it and open a profile of the player.

Voiceover menu, tech tree, taunt/ammo/med, construction are fine. They aren't blinking.

Flashlight uses the 'key repeat' logic. So, it starts blinking on/off if the key is held. (don't care about that; either way is ok)

Pistol doesn't repeat if the key is held.

My previous thread with this problem (there were also some other possibly related issues): http://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/136521/linux-bug-report-overlays-in-273-map-and-big-position-cursor-marine-hud-squares-on-tab#latest

strycore · October 2015

I can confirm the issue on Ubuntu 15.10, it happens with all keys that need to be hold down:
(x, c, e, Tab and maybe some other ones).
Tried disabling Keyboard repeat in the system preferences but that didn't change anything.
I don't know if it matters at all but my keyboard is plugged on a PS/2 port.

devel · October 2015

My kb is USB one.

ceribik · October 2015

No issue with this on Arch Linux. Probably ubuntu specific?

rkfg · October 2015

A friend of mine had keyboard controls issues with NS2 in Ubuntu. It was fixed by switching to X Input Method from ibus. Try to create a file ~/.xsessionrc and put a single line to it:

export GTK_IM_MODULE=xim

Relogin and check in leafpad, for example: right-click ⇒ Input Methods ⇒ if you have "System (X Input Method)" set as default, you're good to go. Ibus isn't really needed if you don't use Eastern scripts like Chinese/Japanese. But it can bring all sorts of input issues if not disabled.

strycore · October 2015

Thanks, switching from ibus to xim does fix the issue!
Hope this gets patched because akaif ibus is the default input method shipped with Ubuntu.

Update: Switching to xim seems to have broken the Compose key which is a deal breaker for me. I'll try exporting the GTK_IM_MODULE variable for the game only and see how that works.

Update 2: I've switched to uim instead of xim (needs to be installed first). This seems to be a good workaround, I have both my Compose key and NS2 working properly.

Asraniel · October 2015

I will try if i can repro with ibus one of these days. Reproing is always the first step to a fix

devel · October 2015

rkfg wrote: »
export GTK_IM_MODULE=xim

Thank you.

NS2 adaptation script grows.

rkfg · October 2015

strycore wrote: »

Update: Switching to xim seems to have broken the Compose key which is a deal breaker for me. I'll try exporting the GTK_IM_MODULE variable for the game only and see how that works.

Update 2: I've switched to uim instead of xim (needs to be installed first). This seems to be a good workaround, I have both my Compose key and NS2 working properly.

XIM actually supports Compose quite well. Probably you can't configure it from the system GUI but you can use setxkbmap for that purpose. Here's a part of my ~/.xinitrc (or ~/.xsessionrc in DEs):

setxkbmap -option
setxkbmap -option "compose:menu,grp:caps_toggle,lv3:ralt_switch,grp_led:scroll,misc:typo" -layout "us,ru"

First line resets any options that might have been set by other scripts and the second configures keys and layouts. If you only use English layout it'll be even simpler. I agree, it's not quite convenient from the user's point of view but it's most compatible from my experience.

@Asraniel, we now have two cases, the @devel 's case is key repeating and my friend's case is keyboard controls falling off after Alt-Tabbing or (not sure) after reconnect. He had controls working in the sandbox, then he joined our server and only mouse worked, he couldn't even open the main menu with Esc. Maybe he also Alt-Tabbed between the sandbox and the server, he doesn't remember.

devel · October 2015

Yes, the keyboard falls off sometimes too.

Asraniel · October 2015

Thx for the detailed analysis. Maybe changing the X input method will help me reproduce.

I use KDE, so i wonder if thats somehow related

cheshire_mouse · May 2016

any progress on the subject?

IronHorse · May 2016

@cheshire_mouse Have you tried the suggested solutions in this thread already?

cheshire_mouse · May 2016

This solution is a temporary workaround and not a permanent fix.
Tuning OS this way for the only game doesn't look like a good idea.

devel · May 2016

Well, using proprietary software isn't a good idea in the first place.

Okabore · May 2016

Considering xim seems to be pretty much obsolete a more permanent and better fix would be appreciated. ibus apparently default on ubuntu so this is an issue everyone on ubuntu will have.
http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/260601/understanding-setting-up-different-input-methods

GaidinTS · May 2016

I ran into this as well. It wasn't always like this though, so I'm curious what update caused the issues.

devel · May 2016

GaidinTS wrote: »

I ran into this as well. It wasn't always like this though, so I'm curious what update caused the issues.

We can find out the build number. I've posted this topic just after the change.

(but several previous builds were workaraundable by disabling the key repeat)

cheshire_mouse · May 2016

May be someone can clarify the situation and tell if this bug is going to be fixed (some day, may be in a distant future), or it is already moved to the "won't fix" box ?

[Linux] Key repeat problem

Comments