macOS Control Keynote via RS232

[bavltd]

Hi

I've been looking for a program that will enable me to send strings to a mac running keynote and basically emulate a user pressing the keys on the local keyboard.

I often have to run graphics for events and until now have been using powerpoint on a pc with some software called wedgelink. This parses strings it receives via a 232 port and then allows certain parts of the sting to pass to a selected application (powerpoint in this case)

The strings I usually send are 02h N 03h where N would be the keyboard letter (N for Next, P for previous, B for blank, and then numbers 0-9 and Enter)

I can't seem to find any application for mac that will do this. I would like to enhance this be being able to send the strings over TCP.

Does anyone know of a program that would achive this / is anyone prepared to write something? I am a complete begginer when it comes to mac and really don't know where to start.

Any thoughts or comments would be great.

 

[iSee]

Well, there's an api for sending key events to applications (see CGPostKeyboardEvent and related items). So you'd need to write a receiver (to receive commands via RS232 or TCP/IP) which would then post keyboard messages.

However, I wasn't aware that any Macs in the last several years have an RS232 port, although maybe there must be RS232-->USB converters of some sort.

If your aim is simply to wirelessly control Keynote, then I'd buy a USB device to do that. A very cursory search revealed (I've never used this so I don't know whether or not it is any good): http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Technology-Airclick-Remote-Control/dp/B0007NWM1K.

 

[mduser63]

I don't know of anything like this already. I could probably write it pretty quickly (I've already written two OS X programs that communicate via RS232) but I really doubt there's enough of a market for such a thing to make it worth my while.

I second the recommendation to check out some other means of doing it. RS-232 is sort of a weird way to do remote control of another computer in this day and age. Especially when you can run SSH and/or VNC wirelessly over a network, and considering that most Macs come with an Apple Remote that can be used to control Keynote wirelessly out of the box.

 

[bavltd]

I agree that RS232 is a little bit backwards. In an ideal world I would like to send the commands over TCP/IP. I have some show control software that seqences events and it is this that I want to use to control keynote. It is capable of sending strings over TCP/IP / RS232 / RS422 etc.

I already have a USB to RS232 adapter, but I would be much happier if it ran over TCP/IP. Given the control software I have to use I don't have the option of VNC etc as the user interface that is created for the operator doesn't require desktop control.

mduser63 - scare me. How much would it cost to write such an app (using TCP/IP) and how quickly could you write it?

Thanks for you comments guys

 

[JNB]

You do know that for basic Keynote navigation (fwd/back/volume/exit) you can just use the Apple Remote that's included with the machine? Yup, the same one used for Front Row controls Keynote just fine.

Don't know if this gives you what you need, but it's free & stupid simple.

 

[bavltd]

Thanks JohnNotBeatle, but I need to integrate it with another control machine to send the cues. IR is also not 100% reliable in the enviromnent I am intending to use it in.

Thanks for the thought though. Would have been nice to get something for free!

 

[JNB]

I guess then you could just Boot Camp the Mac and continue using PPT and Windows, or Crossover might work as well, installing PPT directly on the Mac (I don't think VM'ing Windows will suffice for presentations) - or do you need a DB9 port for the wedge?

 

[bavltd]

I really want to use Keynote as its so much better than powerpoint so I'm very much stuck in OSX looking for a solution

 

[serialeasy]

RS232/RS485 to TCP/IP

HXSP-2108D USB to RS232 , HXSP-2108E RS232/RS485 to TCP/IP