ThinkLight

2007-10-19T19:16:31Z

Miketl: /* Applications */

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[[Image:Thinklight.jpg|ThinkLight]]
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The ThinkLight is a little LED light integrated into the top edge of the display frame in the A, R, T, X, Z and i Series ThinkPad models. It illuminates the ThinkPad's keyboard so that one can type in the dark without using an external light source. The ThinkLight can be controlled via the {{key|Fn}}{{key|PageUp}} key combination or via ACPI on some of the newer models. The LED is amber on some models (e.g. X30s, X40s), and white on others (e.g. T40s).
Note that the ThinkLight is not available on the G series ThinkPads, nor on the X41 Tablet.
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==Linux Support==
Controlling the ThinkLight with the keyboard works on all systems since it relies on the BIOS exclusively. Just press {{key|Fn}}{{key|PageUp}} to toggle its state between on and off.

===Software Control via ibm-acpi===
Support for controlling the light with ACPI is provided by [[ibm-acpi]]. After installing it, a simple
:{{cmdroot|echo on > /proc/acpi/ibm/light}}
switches it on and a
:{{cmdroot|echo off > /proc/acpi/ibm/light}}
switches it off again.

This allows one to control the light in scripts. Unfortunately, no known ThinkPad comes with a light sensor (yet). ;)

===Applications===
*'''gaim-thinklight''': If you are using [http://gaim.sf.net GAIM], the [http://www.joachim-breitner.de/blog/archives/38-Created-gaim-thinklight.html gaim-thinklight] plugin will enable you to use the ThinkLight as an indicator for new messages. This depends on [[ibm-acpi]].
*'''gaim-lighthink''': [http://www.chris-lamb.co.uk/code/gaim-lightthink/ gaim-lightthink] is an alternative to gaim-thinklight.
*'''pidgin-blinklight''':[http://packages.debian.org/unstable/net/pidgin-blinklight pidgin-blinklight] is a replacement for gaim-lighthink intended for use with [http://pidgin.im/ Pidgin].
*'''rocklight''': [http://hunz.org/ rocklight] is a xmms visualization plugin that makes the ThinkLight flash to the beat of your music. The package also includes a standalone stroboscope mode program.
*'''thinkblinkd''':[http://badcode.de/downloads/thinkblinkd-0.1.7.tar.gz] Thinkblinkd is a python daemon to control the thinklight (and possibly other lights on your Thinkpad) it comes with the daemon and a control script.
*The [[script for theft alarm using HDAPS]] optionally flashes the ThinkLight when the alarm is armed (disabled by default, to enable set <tt>$use_light=1</tt>).
*'''kopete-thinklight''':[http://kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=47886] This plugin for kopete will enable the usage of the thinklight as notifiaction for new messages.
*'''stupid little hack to blink the ThinkLight''': [http://paste.lisp.org/display/37500] A little C program that may be set SUID so that you can use it from non-privileged programs that needs to do a little notification.
*'''thinkalert''': [http://www.mike.tl/view/Main/ThinkAlert] Another C program that may be set SUID to allow non-privileged programs to manipulate the ThinkLight. Adds some features over the "stupid little hack to blink the ThinkLight" program.

==Models featuring this Technology==
*ThinkPad {{I1460}}, {{I1480}}, {{I1482}}, {{I1483}}, {{I1492}}
*ThinkPad {{A Series}}
*ThinkPad {{R Series}}
*ThinkPad {{T Series}}
*ThinkPad {{X20}}, {{X21}}, {{X22}}, {{X23}}, {{X24}}, {{X30}}, {{X31}}, {{X32}}, {{X40}}, {{X41}}, {{X60}}, {{X60s}}, {{X61s}}
*ThinkPad {{Z60m}}, {{Z60t}}, {{Z61m}}
*ThinkPad {{S30}}, {{S31}}

[[Category:Glossary]]

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