[NTLUG:Discuss] OT: key tapper

[Fred James]

Jeff wrote:

>Fred,
>
>You might try writing a simple shell script called by cron to touch a 
>file and then delete it - not sure if this would count as keystroke 
>activity, but it's worth a shot.  Maybe try a script to echo some 
>keystrokes - again, would require no input from you so it might not 
>count as "activity". 
>
>Tell your corporate IT to stop making life hard or you will break 
>everyone's cup holder.
>
>-J
>
>Fred James wrote:
>  
>
>>All
>>I have a computer that for reasons that are out of my control, will lock 
>>its screen after 15 minutes of idle time.  Idle time is defined by the 
>>absence of keystroke or mouse activity.  The lock is similar to a 
>>screensaver lock in that it requires a password to open and it does not 
>>shutdown any processes or sessions.
>>
>>What I should like is something that could simply tap a key periodically 
>>- say the <Ctrl> key for example.  This computer sits beside me while I 
>>do most of my work on another, but it does have a couple of windows open 
>>in which I monitor conditions at a remote site.  It would be very handy 
>>to be able to just glance at these displays without having to login each 
>>time (as was the case before this new security item - don't ask - it is 
>>corporate).
>>
>>Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
>>Regards
>>Fred James
>>
>>PS:  The "drinking bird" at first would seem to have been ideal except 
>>that it has to have its head wet on each "drink" or it will stop.
>>
>>    
>>
Jeff
Sometimes going postal on the cup holders may have a certain appeal, 
however it probably wouldn't be worth the airfare.  In the meantime, 
what testing I have done does seem to point to the idea that the 
activity would have to a be physical keystroke or mouse move.  Thanks 
for the thought, though.
Regards
Fred James