Hi,
I set up a simple kiosk mode using Quartz Composer compositions by
dropping them into Library -> Screensavers and using the screensaver
preferences to configure a quick start up time.
Q1: auto login
Auto login: System Prefs -> Accounts -> Login Options -> Automatic
login,
Restart on power loss: System Prefs -> Energy Saver -> Options ->
Restart automatically after a power failure
Q2: is there any way to get a QC-comp to come up in full-screen mode?
Providing you need no user interaction, drop it into Library ->
Screensavers and configure the Screensaver preferences accordingly to
start up quickly . I used a bluetooth mouse (and had a wired one on
hand), and unplugged it and the keyboard when done setting the machine
up.
Turn off all power-saving features that will put the machine or
display to sleep.
My QC mac mini kiosk used rss, auto logged into a wifi network and
this approach worked. The gallery technician (painfully) powered on
and off at the wall and the mac mini restarted, logged in and then the
QC screensaver kicked in.
Q3: I see the editor window, but no viewer window.
I have a problem with my laptop (I call the problem 'phantom
monitors') on restart or awake from sleep the mac book pro thinks an
external monitor is attached (when one isn't). Hit 'detect displays'
7-10 times and normal service is resumed. I have experienced the
disappearance of the 'viewer' (or editor window). Check 'Spaces' - I
normally find the missing window off on the other virtual screen (for
the monitor that is not attached!). Maybe assigning QC a 'Space' would
help.
In copying with this problem, I've come across an old command line
utility called cscreen (see <http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?t=59575
>) This allowed me to automatically switch resolution / detect
displays on startup - I haven't checked whether it works on Leopard.
Q4 Make a custom app
If you need keyboard or mouse interaction in 'kiosk mode', the
composition as screensaver approach detailed above will not help - and
a custom app may be the way to go. I've been researching approaches to
'going full screen' and recently saw this aged document: <http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn2002/tn2062.html
> and have played with Leopard's new NSView method
enterFullScreenMode:withOptions - which is great (except I need the
menu to auto appear). Getting an application to go full screen seems
to be easier than it ever has been.
NSDictionary *fullScreenOptions = [NSDictionary dictionaryWithObject:
[NSNumber numberWithBool: NO] forKey: NSFullScreenModeAllScreens];
[myQCView enterFullScreenMode: [NSScreen mainScreen] withOptions:
fullScreenOptions ];
I hope this helps.
Regards. Ian
*******************************
Ian Grant
Senior Lecturer in Digital Art
Faculty of the Arts
Thames Valley University
Ealing, UK
W5 5DX
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*******************************
On 22 Jan 2008, at 08:51, Christopher Wright wrote:
Question 1: is there any way to auto-login?
I think there's a Preferences option or something to do this. I've
seen it done, but I don't dare try that on my systems as a matter of
policy :)
Preferences -> Accounts -> Automatic Login perhaps? (looks like you
got it fixed as I typed this :)
Question 2: is there any way to get a QC-comp to come up in full-
screen mode? If not, is there any way to specify the size and
position of the viewer on startup?
Not out of the box. I've made a hack that does this (for this very
purpose, no less :), so if you're interested I can polish it up a
bit and give you a copy.
Question 3: most annoyingly...
Any ideas?
Are there any messages on the console? This seems like something
that would generate some error messages... Unfortunately, I know
nothing more on this.
Question 4: Would this all be easier/doable if I just wrapped my
composition in an app? I've seen the tutorial, but have not yet
tried playing with it.
This might be a better solution, if you're comfortable with it :)
Automatic fullscreen w/o any plugins, and more control over the
viewer window are always handy features :)
--
[ christopher wright ]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://kineme.net/
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