[Qemu-devel] [Bug 1726910] [NEW] UI request: add a function key toolbar (f1-f12)

[Jim Hall]

Public bug reported:

I run old DOS programs under FreeDOS using QEMU.

It's common when running/testing DOS applications to use the function
keys. Some of these (such as F10) are intercepted by the window system.
For example, some DOS program installers use F10 to install the
software, but F10 is intecepted by the window system.

The standard solution is to jump to the QEMU console and use sendkey to
send a specific function key to the QEMU guest (often needed for
'sendkey f10'). But this does not seem to be very user friendly for new
users. Nor is it very fast if you need to this often.

I propose QEMU add a toolbar with the function keys.

I've attached a mockup of one possible design, with a simple toolbar for
F1-F12. A possible modification would be to add "modifier" buttons for
Ctrl and Shift and Alt to make it easier for users to enter combinations
like Ctrl-F12 or Alt-F10 or Shift-F1.

** Affects: qemu
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Attachment added: "mockup of QEMU interface with a toolbar"
   
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1726910/+attachment/4991533/+files/qemu-mockup.png

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1726910

Title:
  UI request: add a function key toolbar (f1-f12)

Status in QEMU:
  New

Bug description:
  I run old DOS programs under FreeDOS using QEMU.

  It's common when running/testing DOS applications to use the function
  keys. Some of these (such as F10) are intercepted by the window
  system. For example, some DOS program installers use F10 to install
  the software, but F10 is intecepted by the window system.

  The standard solution is to jump to the QEMU console and use sendkey
  to send a specific function key to the QEMU guest (often needed for
  'sendkey f10'). But this does not seem to be very user friendly for
  new users. Nor is it very fast if you need to this often.

  I propose QEMU add a toolbar with the function keys.

  I've attached a mockup of one possible design, with a simple toolbar
  for F1-F12. A possible modification would be to add "modifier" buttons
  for Ctrl and Shift and Alt to make it easier for users to enter
  combinations like Ctrl-F12 or Alt-F10 or Shift-F1.

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