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Synaptics Gesture Suite Released For Linux
By: Bryan Young
Expert Author
2010-04-21
Synaptics, a global human interface device developer, has created the first multi-touch package for Linux. The Synaptics Gesture Suite (SGS), which has been running on Windows-based devices, has been released to the Linux community (SGS-L). What does this mean for Linux users?
Expanded control of whatever environment is being used. The Synaptics website lists several different motions that will be supported by SGS-L:
Two-Finger Scrolling - for scrolling anywhere on the touchpad
Two-Finger Pinch Zoom - can enlarge website text, also zoom in photos and maps
Two-Finger TwistRotate - rotates pictures and other items
Two-Finger PivotRotate - another rotation motion
Three-Finger Flick - for rapid scrolling
Three-Finger Press - will allow launching of user set applications
Momentum - moves the cursor much quicker with less movement
ChiralScroll - allows scrolling with one spiraling, continuous motion
Linear Scrolling - use the right edge of touchpad to scroll normally
For right now, SGS-L will only be available on new systems. The software is free for the manufacturers who purchase their touchpads and clickpads from Synaptics. For the time being, there is no way to download an update to an existing system which includes the multi-touch functionality. This is actually a smart move for the company, as it will be another reason for manufacturers to purchase hardware from Synaptics. Even so, I doubt it will be long before these drivers find their way into Linux repositories either through public release or the determined efforts of Linux coders.
Synaptics has already declared support for these versions of Linux; Fedora, Millos Linpus, Red Flag, SLED 11, Ubuntu, and Xandros. Support is also in place for Google ChromeOS. You can read more about the SGS-l release and see videos on how the gestures work here.
About the Author:
Bryan Young is a staff writer for WebProNews.
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