search

pwr-Solaar / Solaar

Linux device manager for Logitech devices
https://pwr-solaar.github.io/Solaar
GNU General Public License v2.0
5.15k stars 396 forks source link

Logitech Flow #672

Closed henioStraszny closed 4 years ago

henioStraszny commented 4 years ago

Information



**Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.**
Solaar does not support Logitech Flow.

**Describe the solution you'd like**
Logitech Flow is supported.

**Describe alternatives you've considered**
Logitech Flow consists of two parts:
1. Possibility to move cursor between two physical computers.
2. Copy Paste text, files etc.
Perhaps event point 1 would be of great benefit for users.

**Additional context**
- Logitech official feature explanation: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/options/page/flow-multi-device-control
- In this ticket: #367, users were asking about this functionality.
- This feature is available for MX Series mice and keyboards.
FFY00 commented 4 years ago

That is out of scope. I don't really see a reason to have a hybrid software/hardware implementation of a virtual KVM switch when proper all software solutions exist.

Take a look at https://github.com/debauchee/barrier or https://github.com/symless/synergy-core. They should do exactly what you want.

Logitech Flow is just seems to be a marketing scheme to make buyers of high-end devices feel like they are getting more out of them. It doesn't make sense from a technical POV.

With that said, in the upcoming logitechd daemon I am more than happy to provide access to the hardware settings that Logitech Flow utilizes. Which AFAIK only allow you to change the active host in a multi-host device.

pfps commented 4 years ago

Closing as out of scope.

ctp-placebo commented 3 years ago

Logitech Flow allows copying from the clipboard on one PC and pasting on a 2nd PC. Using the USB-IR receiver on PC1, and Bluetooth on PC2, there is a button on top of the Ergo MX Pro trackball mouse to switch between the two receivers. Copy on PC1, switch receivers, paste on PC2. It's "not just a marketing tool", it is a function of the hardware that we would like to see Logitech support on Linux!

pfps commented 3 years ago

The cut-and-paste part of Logitech Flow requires Logitech software running on both machines, as far as I can tell. The communications protocol that is used is unknown. Synergy has its own way of multi-machine cut-and-paste.

barolo commented 3 years ago

@pfps @ctp-placebo I think that it's worth mentioning in the docs that there's already massively popular, easy to use, open software that includes inter-system cut-and-paste that's not only multiOS [ including Android ] but is adapted for pretty much every major desktop, namely KDE Connect. It can connect anything with anything, not only mobiles, which mislead some.

sperry04 commented 3 years ago

I know this issue is closed, but I will point out there is a fundamental difference between Flow and software packages like Synergy/etc. that allow keyboard/mouse sharing that might make this feature worth implementing.

It seems to me that Flow might be functionally similar to keyboard/mouse sharing apps, but has some advantages due to the hardware implementation aspect.

barolo commented 3 years ago

@sperry04 Flow needs network for some of its functionality, it won't turn on without it. Solaar's implementation is on hardware's level and works without network too.

ryandasilva commented 8 months ago

### You know what this sounds like to me? A group of programmers who may come off as pretentious and unwilling to tackle a unique, yet simple, and somewhat complicated feature. Some say it requires network access? So what? We have printer setup software that swiftly scans the network for devices that respond on TCP or UDP ports, making wired or Wi-Fi printer setup a breeze. This applies to both new out-of-the-box setups and printers already in use, allowing additional users to connect. My knowledge of network programming is limited to creating a new TCP socket and performing a basic handshake. I've even developed a fully functional peer-to-peer system and was close to finishing a client-server messaging service, somewhat similar to ICQ from the past. But I lacked the understanding of the broader internet and NAT. It worked well within the same LAN, didn't handle NAT, and was fast and lightweight.

I'm not here to boast or belittle anyone. I came here because Google directed me, indicating there's demand for this feature. It's October 2023, and more devices support Flow, while Linux usage continues to grow. I rely on Solaar, so I'm not here to criticize you. My critiques are a sign of my respect for this community and belief that the responses against implementing Flow in Solaar seem weak, given the talent I've seen in the open-source/Linux community.

If you're determined, an alpha release could be done in a long weekend, a beta by the end of the month, and a public release in less than six weeks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Flow work with MacOS and Windows? If so, much of the work is already done; just reverse engineer the MacOS version since it's essentially BSD code.

I'd help if I could, but it's been 18 years since I last wrote amateur software, and I don't have time to learn everything needed now. The world has changed a lot since then, with GitHub and many skilled programmers worldwide.

I hope this message motivates someone to try. If not, at least I've tried in the capacity I could, unlike those who dismissed this feature request arrogantly.

Stay safe. Best regards, cheers, and all the best!