USB Button Run Shell Script

[bladedanny]

Hi All,

 

Bit of a strange one. Does any one know of, or has made a Button (physical) that can connect to a computer (preferably linux based) via USB that when pressed will execute a shell command?

 

I've had a quick google and all I could find was the cheap 'Panic Button' toys. I'd want something similar button wise but want it to do more than open a screensaver etc.

 

Would it be possible to hack apart a USB keyboard, solder a button bought at the local electric shop to the correct part of the keyboards circuit board and somehow have that execute the command?

 

Not looking for anything solid just any ideas of how I might go about it.

 

Thanks,

 

Dan

[K.C.Leblanc]

Edugeek gave away some 'Emergency Launch Devices' at BETT a few years ago. They're just a single USB button that executes a key combination to launch the web site. They were provided by the USB Company, but they don't seem to do them anymore.

[Jamman960]

I had a quick look a while back into re-programming the panic buttons, I think someone had managed it but can't remember how now...all they do is send key strokes ie WinKey+R, w,w,w,.,e,d,u,g,e,e,k,.,n,e,t,Enter

[plexer]

johnbruin.net » New software for your USB Panic Button

 

Ben

[plexer]

Windows though I'm afraid.

[plexer]

USB Smart Button hack? - [H]ard|Forum

 

Towards the bottom has more details on actually reprogramming the thing.

 

Ben

[LiamH]

Couldn't you just use some micro software to remap one of the less used function keys to do it?

 

Might be a lot easier

 

Edit : have used this for windows http://www.autohotkey.com/

Wold have thought linux would have an alternative

Edited September 12, 2011 by LiamH

[bladedanny]

Hi,

 

Thanks for all replies, email been down at work so not getting alert emails.

 

What I did in the end was a bit of a mixture of all suggestions really. Bought a big button and little project box. I then ripped (read carefully took out the screws) open an old keyboard and found out what two contacts f8 went to and wired the button up to those.

 

Then as LiamH said I just custom keyboard shortcut f8 to run the script.

 

Job done. Works quite well too.

 

Thanks all