Send key stroke command from one pc to another on the network

[mabond]

Hi

don't know if this is the best forum or if my request is possible...hope
someone out there can suggest a pointer for me.

I want to to be able to send a keyboard keystroke (specifically the
"spacebar") from one PC on our network to another programatically.

My scenario is this

PC "A" is executing an application that displays a series of Powerpoint
presentations from a nominated directory. This PC is not accessible to users.
The application to run the presentations was devloped in VB.net 2003.

PC "B" excutes an application that allows users to see the list of
presentations that are being displayed on "A" along with various functions
that allow the user to add, edit and move the presentations that are used by
"A".

The problem : occasionally, a presentation on "A" freezes and does not
advance to the next slide, despite the fact that all presentations have
automatic transitions. In that situation the only way to "kick start" "A" is
to get to the PC and either click the mouse or hit the space bar.

I'd like to be able to include a button in the app on "B" that, when
pressed, would in effect send the keyboard "space bar" command to "A" and
thus effect the "kick start"

Am I asking too much? Presently this is done via a VNC session that requires
Tech Support call out especially outside of office hours and I'm looking for
a simpler solution.

Appreciate any help or pointers

Regards

Michael Bond

 

[coolCoder]

Hi

don't know if this is the best forum or if my request is possible...hope
someone out there can suggest a pointer for me.

I want to to be able to send a keyboard keystroke (specifically the
"spacebar") from one PC on our network to another programatically.

My scenario is this

PC "A" is executing an application that displays a series of Powerpoint
presentations from a nominated directory. This PC is not accessible to users.
The application to run the presentations was devloped in VB.net 2003.

PC "B" excutes an application that allows users to see the list of
presentations that are being displayed on "A" along with various functions
that allow the user to add, edit and move the presentations that are used by
"A".

The problem : occasionally, a presentation on "A" freezes and does not
advance to the next slide, despite the fact that all presentations have
automatic transitions. In that situation the only way to "kick start" "A" is
to get to the PC and either click the mouse or hit the space bar.

I'd like to be able to include a button in the app on "B" that, when
pressed, would in effect send the keyboard "space bar" command to "A" and
thus effect the "kick start"

Am I asking too much? Presently this is done via a VNC session that requires
Tech Support call out especially outside of office hours and I'm looking for
a simpler solution.

Appreciate any help or pointers

Regards

Michael Bond

I can give you some logic. If feasible, you may implement it.
First of all, I think there is an app running on PC 'A', right ?
Change the application on PC 'A' to accept and listen to TCP
connections.
Application on PC 'B' will now be changed to have a TCP client.
A new button, as you said, will be added to app on PC 'B' which will
send a specific message to app on PC 'A'. When PC 'A' recieves this
message, it SendKey space to the PPT.

I am not sure whether this is feasible, because I don't know the
complexity of existing applications and there complete working
knowledge.
But you might get some sort of idea form this ?

Revert back if you are going to try this solution. I would like to
hear the progress in this application, just in case you have time and
you don't mind.

Thanks,
coolCoder.

 

[mabond]

CoolCoder

Thanks for the idea. The logic sounds right. I'll see how it goes when I've
given it a try. It's not on the top of my development priorities at the
moment so may not get round to it for a week or two. I'll gladly let you know
how it progresses.

Thanks for the suggestion

Regards

Michael Bond