X always must have a cursor

[Peter Hutterer]

On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 07:21:29PM -0700, Sean Estabrooks wrote:
> On Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:12:50 +1000
> Peter Hutterer <peter.hutterer at who-t.net> wrote:
> 
> > the concept of having one pointer is built-in into the X protocol. so while you
> > could remove the pointer from the server, applications will fail in quite
> > interesting ways because they don't expect it. believe me, I've tried.
> 
> I think that is Kiryl's answer right there.  At a low level you just can't
> "turn off" the concept of a pointer.
>  
> > however, nothing in X requires you to _use_ a pointing device.
> > I realize that some applications UI do not provide sufficient alternatives
> > for keyboard navigation. That's not the X server's fault though.
> 
> Which makes one wonder why the low level protocol makes such demands.

it was designed in the 1980s, and up to now the concept of a pair of input
devices, once location based, one focus based is still quite widespread.
I really don't know what your use-case is that requires the concept of the
pointer to disappear.

> > wouldn't the simple solution then be to deactivate the touchscreen?
> 
> It sounds as if there is no alternative.

well, if you have an input device and you don't want it to do anything, you
need to deactivate it. if you have a keyboard and you don't want it to do
anything, it's easier to deactivate the keyboard rather than remove the
concept of a keyboard from the GUI.

Cheers,
  Peter