[OLPC New Zealand] XO HDMI output missing the mouse pointer

[Barry Vercoe]

HDMI output certainly better than USB VGA adapter, especially since 
classrooms are moving away from projection towards large flat-panel 
displays.  But this innovation on the XO-4 and XO-Duo is largely lost 
when the HDMI image doesn't include the mouse pointer.  With the old 
VGA, I found an XO image on a large screen was a fast and efficient way 
to show a class how to negotiate views and Activities -- and the 
children could quickly show off their own constructions too.
Now with HDMI one is obliged to hold a laser pointer in one hand, and 
then mouse or touch the screen with the other.

Do we have a fix in progress?  I don't know whether my last complaint 
resulted in a ticket from anyone.  It would be great to have a fix in 
our next NZ build.  This should coincide with release of Walter's XO 
Teacher Trainer activity --  hopefully by March 20 when my next lot of 
teachers begin training, followed soon by those classes getting new XOs.

I've been approached by Sitech Systems, www.sitech.co.nz, one of NZ's 
largest classroom providers, who proudly say their displays are 
compatible with Apple, Windows etc.  They want to say it works with 
Linux and the XO too.  I've loaned them an XO to test which HDMI cable 
is most reliable (since our _micro _HDMI port is quite flaky in the face 
of cable strain).  I've warned them about the missing mouse pointer, and 
said a fix is in the works.  Can this be made really true?  And soon?  
We're already lagging behind those devices that can send their images to 
a central display wirelessly, and this HDMI deficiency sets us back even 
further.

-- barry

CEO One Laptop per Child NZ Charitable Trust
14/2 Sixth Avenue
Tauranga 3110 NZ
+64 (0)21 627 421

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