Experimental way to add applications to ratpoison modd during I38 configuration. Removed transfer.sh because I think it's dead.

I38.md

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ If you've enabled braille display support during setup, I38 will start XBrlAPI a
 
 ### OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
 
-If installed, you can use OCR to read text from images or inaccessible applications:
+If required dependencies are installed, you can use OCR to read text from images or inaccessible applications:
 
 - `MODKEY` + `F5`: Perform OCR on the entire screen and speak the content
 - In Ratpoison mode: `Print` or `MODKEY` + `r`: Perform OCR and save to clipboard

README.md

@@ -25,16 +25,19 @@ An uppercase I looks like a 1, 3 from i3, and 8 because the song [We Are 138](ht
 - lxsession: [optional] For GUI power options like shutdown
 - magic-wormhole: [optional] for file sharing with magic-wormhole GUI
 - notification-daemon: To handle notifications
-- ocrdesktop: For getting contents of the current window with OCR.
 - pamixer: for the mute-unmute script
 - pandoc or markdown: To generate html files.
 - pcmanfm: [optional] Graphical file manager.
 - playerctl: music controls
 - python-gobject: for applications menu.
 - python-i3ipc: for sounds etc.
+- python-pillow: For OCR
+- python-pytesseract: For OCR
 - remind: [optional] For reminder notifications, Requires notify-daemon and notify-send for automatic reminders.
+scrot: For OCR
 - sox: for sounds.
-- transfersh: [optional] for file sharing GUI
+- tesseract: For OCR
+- tesseract-data-eng: For OCR
 - udiskie: [optional] for automatically mounting removable storage
 - x11bell: [optional] Bell support if you do not have a PC speaker. Available from https://github.com/jovanlanik/x11bell
 - xbacklight: [optional] for screen brightness adjustment
@@ -43,9 +46,11 @@ An uppercase I looks like a 1, 3 from i3, and 8 because the song [We Are 138](ht
 - xorg-setxkbmap: [optional] for multiple keyboard layouts
 - yad: For screen reader accessible dialogs
 
-I38 will try to detect your browser, file manager, and text editor and present you with a list of options to bind to their launch keys. It will also create bindings for pidgin and mumble if they are installed. To use the bindings, press your ratpoison mode key which is set when you run the i38.sh script. Next, press the binding for the application you want; w for web browser, e for text editor, f for file manager, m for mumble, etc. To learn all the bindings, find and read the mode ratpoison section of ~/.config/i3/config or use the help binding key, alt or super depending on your settings with Shift+F1.
+I38 will try to detect your browser, file manager, and text editor and present you with a list of options to bind to their launch keys. It will also create bindings for pidgin and mumble if they are installed. Additionally, you can now add custom applications with your own keybindings during the setup process. To use the bindings, press your ratpoison mode key which is set when you run the i38.sh script. Next, press the binding for the application you want; w for web browser, e for text editor, f for file manager, m for mumble, etc. To learn all the bindings, find and read the mode ratpoison section of ~/.config/i3/config or use the help binding key, alt or super depending on your settings with Shift+F1.
 
-The login sound uses the GTK sound theme. Configure this using GTK configuration files or gsettings. Replace "name" with the name of the theme you want to use.
+Ratpoison mode is now enabled by default for better accessibility and ease of use.
+
+Sound themes can be configured using GTK configuration files or gsettings. Replace "name" with the name of the theme you want to use.
 
 Note that if you enable all sound events as shown below, you'll also hear GTK sounds when moving around menus, buttons, etc, if the sound theme has sounds for those events.
 
@@ -90,6 +95,125 @@ I38 is an adaptation of the old Strychnine project which was based on the Ratpoi
 When creating I38, I really wanted to port that functionality over, because it is very powerful and allows for lots and lots of shortcuts while minimizing collisions between shortcuts. So, for example, if you have chosen brave as your web browser, and selected alt+escape as your ratpoison mode key, you can quickly launch brave by pressing alt+escape followed by the letter w.
 
 
+## Custom Applications in Ratpoison Mode
+
+I38 now includes a powerful system for adding custom applications to ratpoison mode with user-defined keybindings. During the configuration process, after setting up window event sounds, you'll be prompted to add custom applications that will be accessible through ratpoison mode.
+
+### How It Works
+
+The system will prompt you through a series of questions for each application you want to add:
+
+1. **Application Name**: A descriptive name for the application
+2. **Execution Command**: The full path or command to run the application
+3. **Command Flags**: Optional command-line arguments
+4. **Keybinding**: A custom key combination using I38's notation system
+
+### Keybinding Notation System
+
+I38 uses a simple notation system to define keybindings that supports modifiers and special keys:
+
+#### Modifiers
+- `^` = Control (Ctrl)
+- `!` = Alt
+- `#` = Super (Windows/Cmd key)
+- `m` = Your chosen mod key (configured during setup)
+- Uppercase letters automatically add Shift (e.g., `C` = Shift+c)
+
+#### Special Keys
+- **Function Keys**: `f1`, `f2`, ... `f12`
+- **Arrow Keys**: `up`, `down`, `left`, `right`
+- **Navigation Keys**: `home`, `end`, `pageup`, `pagedown`
+- **Editing Keys**: `insert`, `delete`, `backspace`
+- **Other Keys**: `space`, `tab`, `return`, `escape`, `print`
+
+#### Example Keybindings
+- `c` = Just the 'c' key
+- `^c` = Control+c
+- `!f1` = Alt+F1
+- `mspace` = Your mod key + Space
+- `^!up` = Control+Alt+Up arrow
+- `#pagedown` = Super+Page Down
+- `C` = Shift+c
+- `^C` = Control+Shift+c
+
+### Example Configuration Session
+
+Here's what the configuration prompts look like:
+
+```
+Enter application name (or press enter when finished): Discord
+Enter execution path/command for Discord: discord
+Enter command line flags for Discord (optional): --no-sandbox
+Enter keybinding for Discord (Examples: c, ^c, !f1, mspace, ^!up) or ? for help: d
+```
+
+Another example:
+```
+Enter application name (or press enter when finished): Terminal Calculator
+Enter execution path/command for Terminal Calculator: gnome-calculator
+Enter command line flags for Terminal Calculator (optional): 
+Enter keybinding for Terminal Calculator (Examples: c, ^c, !f1, mspace, ^!up) or ? for help: ^#c
+```
+
+### Getting Help During Configuration
+
+If you type `?` when prompted for a keybinding, I38 will display a comprehensive help screen with:
+- Complete modifier notation reference
+- List of all supported special keys
+- Multiple examples of different keybinding combinations
+- Rules about uppercase letters and Shift
+
+### Conflict Detection
+
+I38 automatically prevents keybinding conflicts by:
+- Maintaining a list of all existing ratpoison mode bindings
+- Checking your custom keybinding against reserved keys
+- Showing an error message if you try to use a taken keybinding
+- Asking you to choose a different key combination
+
+### Reserved Keybindings
+
+The following keys are already used in ratpoison mode and cannot be assigned to custom applications:
+
+- `c` = Terminal
+- `e` = Text editor
+- `f` = File manager
+- `w` = Web browser
+- `k` = Kill window
+- `m` = Mumble (if installed)
+- `p` = Pidgin (if installed)
+- `g` = Game controller status
+- Various modifier combinations for volume, music controls, etc.
+
+### Using Your Custom Applications
+
+Once configured, access your custom applications by:
+1. Press your ratpoison mode key (e.g., Alt+Escape)
+2. Press your custom keybinding (e.g., `d` for Discord)
+3. The application launches and ratpoison mode exits
+
+### Advanced Examples
+
+**Media Applications:**
+- `vlc` bound to `v` for VLC media player
+- `spotify` bound to `^s` for Spotify with Control+s
+
+**Development Tools:**
+- `code` bound to `mf2` for VS Code with mod+F2
+- `gimp` bound to `!g` for GIMP with Alt+g
+
+**System Tools:**
+- `htop` bound to `^#h` for system monitor with Control+Super+h
+- `pavucontrol` bound to `!space` for audio control with Alt+Space
+
+### Tips for Choosing Keybindings
+
+1. **Keep it memorable**: Use the first letter of the application name when possible
+2. **Group related apps**: Use similar modifiers for related applications
+3. **Consider frequency**: Use simpler keys for frequently used applications
+4. **Avoid conflicts**: The system will warn you, but plan ahead for a logical layout
+
+
 ## Panel Mode
 
 Very similar to ratpoison, accessed with Alt+Control+Tab. It contains items that would normally be found in a traditional desktop's panel. For example, it has a simple note app, system information, weather, bluetooth and power options, and remind.

i38.sh

@@ -178,6 +178,162 @@ yesno() {
     echo $?
 }
 
+# Custom application keybinding functions
+declare -A usedKeys
+declare -a customApps
+
+showKeybindingHelp() {
+    dialog --title "I38 Keybinding Help" --msgbox \
+"Keybinding Notation:
+Modifiers: ^ = Ctrl, ! = Alt, # = Super, m = your mod key
+Special keys: f1-f12, up/down/left/right, space, tab, return
+              home/end/insert/delete/pageup/pagedown, print
+              backspace, escape
+
+Examples:
+  c           = just 'c' key
+  ^c          = Ctrl+c
+  !f1         = Alt+F1  
+  mspace      = mod+Space
+  ^!up        = Ctrl+Alt+Up
+  #pagedown   = Super+Page_Down
+
+Uppercase letters imply Shift (e.g., C = Shift+c)" 0 0
+}
+
+convertKeybinding() {
+    local input="$1"
+    local result=""
+    local baseKey=""
+    
+    # Handle modifiers
+    if [[ "$input" == *"^"* ]]; then
+        result+="Control+"
+        input="${input//^/}"
+    fi
+    if [[ "$input" == *"!"* ]]; then
+        result+="Mod1+"
+        input="${input//!/}"
+    fi
+    if [[ "$input" == *"#"* ]]; then
+        result+="Mod4+"
+        input="${input//#/}"
+    fi
+    if [[ "$input" == *"m"* ]]; then
+        result+="\$mod+"
+        input="${input//m/}"
+    fi
+    
+    # Handle shift for uppercase letters
+    if [[ "$input" =~ [A-Z] ]]; then
+        result+="Shift+"
+        input="${input,,}"
+    fi
+    
+    # Convert special keys
+    case "$input" in
+        f[1-9]|f1[0-2]) baseKey="F${input#f}" ;;
+        up|down|left|right) baseKey="$input" ;;
+        space) baseKey="space" ;;
+        tab) baseKey="Tab" ;;
+        return) baseKey="Return" ;;
+        escape) baseKey="Escape" ;;
+        backspace) baseKey="BackSpace" ;;
+        print) baseKey="Print" ;;
+        home) baseKey="Home" ;;
+        end) baseKey="End" ;;
+        insert) baseKey="Insert" ;;
+        delete) baseKey="Delete" ;;
+        pageup) baseKey="Page_Up" ;;
+        pagedown) baseKey="Page_Down" ;;
+        *) baseKey="$input" ;;
+    esac
+    
+    echo "${result}${baseKey}"
+}
+
+populateUsedKeys() {
+    # Populate with existing ratpoison mode bindings
+    usedKeys["Shift+slash"]=1
+    usedKeys["c"]=1
+    usedKeys["e"]=1
+    usedKeys["f"]=1
+    usedKeys["\$mod+e"]=1
+    usedKeys["w"]=1
+    usedKeys["k"]=1
+    usedKeys["m"]=1
+    usedKeys["Print"]=1
+    usedKeys["\$mod+r"]=1
+    usedKeys["p"]=1
+    usedKeys["\$mod+s"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+0"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+9"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+equal"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+minus"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+z"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+c"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+x"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+v"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+b"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+Shift+u"]=1
+    usedKeys["Mod1+b"]=1
+    usedKeys["g"]=1
+    usedKeys["apostrophe"]=1
+    usedKeys["Shift+c"]=1
+    usedKeys["Shift+o"]=1
+    usedKeys["Shift+t"]=1
+    usedKeys["Control+semicolon"]=1
+    usedKeys["Control+Shift+semicolon"]=1
+    usedKeys["Shift+exclam"]=1
+    usedKeys["Control+q"]=1
+    usedKeys["Escape"]=1
+    usedKeys["Control+g"]=1
+}
+
+inputText() {
+    # Args: prompt text
+    dialog --title "I38" --inputbox "$1" 0 0 --stdout
+}
+
+addCustomApplication() {
+    local appName appCommand appFlags keybinding convertedKey
+    
+    populateUsedKeys
+    
+    while true; do
+        appName="$(inputText "Custom Applications:\n\nEnter application name (or press enter when finished):")"
+        [[ -z "$appName" ]] && break
+        
+        appCommand="$(inputText "Enter execution path/command for $appName:")"
+        [[ -z "$appCommand" ]] && continue
+        
+        appFlags="$(inputText "Enter command line flags for $appName (optional):")"
+        
+        while true; do
+            keybinding="$(inputText "Enter keybinding for $appName (Examples: c, ^c, !f1, mspace, ^!up) or ? for help:")"
+            
+            if [[ "$keybinding" == "?" ]]; then
+                showKeybindingHelp
+                continue
+            fi
+            
+            [[ -z "$keybinding" ]] && break
+            
+            convertedKey="$(convertKeybinding "$keybinding")"
+            
+            if [[ -n "${usedKeys[$convertedKey]}" ]]; then
+                dialog --title "I38" --msgbox "Keybinding '$keybinding' ($convertedKey) is already in use. Please choose another." 0 0
+                continue
+            fi
+            
+            # Add to arrays
+            customApps+=("$appName|$appCommand|$appFlags|$convertedKey")
+            usedKeys["$convertedKey"]=1
+            break
+        done
+    done
+} 
+
 help() {
     echo "${0##*/}"
     echo "Released under the terms of the GPL V3 License: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/"
@@ -281,14 +437,13 @@ done
 # Mod2 and Mod3 not usually defined.
 
 # Configuration questions
-export i3Mode=$(yesno "Would you like to use ratpoison mode? This behaves more like strychnine, with an escape key followed by keybindings. (Recommended)")
+# Ratpoison mode is enabled by default
+export i3Mode=0
 # Prevent setting ratpoison mode key to the same as default mode key
 while [[ "$escapeKey" == "$mod" ]]; do
-    if [[ $i3Mode -eq 0 ]]; then
+    escapeKey="$(menulist "Ratpoison mode key:" Control+t Control+z Control+Escape Alt+Escape Control+Space Super)"
-        escapeKey="$(menulist "Ratpoison mode key:" Control+t Control+z Control+Escape Alt+Escape Control+Space Super)"
+    escapeKey="${escapeKey//Alt/Mod1}"
-        escapeKey="${escapeKey//Alt/Mod1}"
+    escapeKey="${escapeKey//Super/Mod4}"
-        escapeKey="${escapeKey//Super/Mod4}"
-    fi
     mod="$(menulist "I3 mod key, for top level bindings:" Alt Control Super)"
     mod="${mod//Alt/Mod1}"
     mod="${mod//Super/Mod4}"
@@ -412,11 +567,8 @@ brlapi=1
 brlapi=$(yesno "Do you want to use a braille display with ${screenReader##*/}?")
 sounds=1
 sounds=$(yesno "Do you want window event sounds?")
-# Play Login Sound
+# Custom applications for ratpoison mode
-loginSound=1
+addCustomApplication
-if command -v canberra-gtk-play &> /dev/null ; then
-    export loginSound=$(yesno "Would you like to play the default desktop-login sound according to your GTK sound theme upon login?")
-fi
 
 if [[ -d "${i3Path}" ]]; then
     yesno "This will replace your existing configuration at ${i3Path}. Do you want to continue?" || exit 0
@@ -516,9 +668,13 @@ bindsym Mod1+Tab focus right
 bindsym \$mod+BackSpace fullscreen toggle
 
 
-# move the currently focused window to the scratchpad
+# Move the currently focused window to the scratchpad
 bindsym \$mod+Shift+minus move scratchpad
 
+# Bind the currently focused window to the scratchpad
+# This means it will always open in the scratchpad
+bindsym \$mod+Shift+equal exec --no-startup-id ${i3Path}/scripts/bind_to_scratchpad.sh
+
 # Show the next scratchpad window or hide the focused scratchpad window.
 # If there are multiple scratchpad windows, this command cycles through them.
 bindsym \$mod+minus scratchpad show
@@ -572,10 +728,8 @@ bindsym $mod+Shift+BackSpace mode "default"
 
 EOF
 
-# ocrdesktop through speech-dispatcher
+# ocr through speech-dispatcher
-if command -v ocrdesktop &> /dev/null ; then
+    echo "bindsym ${mod}+F5 exec ${i3Path}/scripts/ocr.py" >> ${i3Path}/config
-    echo "bindsym ${mod}+F5 exec bash -c 'spd-say -Cw \"performing O C R\" && ocrdesktop -cnog | spd-say -e --'"  >> ${i3Path}/config
-fi
 # Interrupt speech-dispatcher output
 echo "bindsym ${mod}+Shift+F5 exec spd-say -C" >> ${i3Path}/config
 
@@ -660,10 +814,6 @@ $(if command -v xrandr &> /dev/null ; then
     echo "# alt+s bound to brightness control"
     echo "bindsym \$mod+s exec --no-startup-id ${i3Path}/scripts/screen_controller.sh, mode \"default\""
 fi)
-$(if command -v transfersh &> /dev/null ; then
-    echo "# t bound to share file with transfer.sh"
-    echo 'bindsym t exec bash -c '"'"'fileName="$(yad --title "I38 Upload File" --file)" && url="$(transfersh "${fileName}" | tee >(yad --title "I38 - Uploading ${fileName##*/} ..." --progress --pulsate --auto-close))" && echo "${url#*saved at: }" | tee >(yad --title "I38 - Upload URL" --show-cursor --show-uri --button yad-close --sticky --text-info) >(xclip -selection clipboard)'"', mode \"default\""
-fi)
 
 #Keyboard based volume Controls with pulseaudio
 bindsym Mod1+Shift+0 exec --no-startup-id pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ +${volumeJump}% & play -qnG synth 0.03 sin 440
@@ -700,6 +850,16 @@ else
         echo "# restart i3 inplace (preserves your layout/session, can be used to upgrade i3)"
         echo "bindsym Control+Shift+semicolon exec $i3msg -t run_command restart && spd-say -P important -Cw "I3 restarted.", mode "default""
 fi)
+# Custom applications
+$(for app in "${customApps[@]}"; do
+    IFS='|' read -r appName appCommand appFlags appKey <<< "$app"
+    echo "# $appName bound to $appKey"
+    if [[ -n "$appFlags" ]]; then
+        echo "bindsym $appKey exec $appCommand $appFlags, mode \"default\""
+    else
+        echo "bindsym $appKey exec $appCommand, mode \"default\""
+    fi
+done)
 # Run dialog with exclamation 
 bindsym Shift+exclam exec ${i3Path}/scripts/run_dialog.sh, mode "default"
 # exit i3 (logs you out of your X session)
@@ -723,9 +883,6 @@ $(if [[ $sounds -eq 0 ]]; then
         echo "exec_always --no-startup-id ${i3Path}/scripts/sound.py"
     fi
 fi
-if [[ $loginSound -eq 0 ]]; then
-    echo 'exec --no-startup-id canberra-gtk-play -i desktop-login'
-fi
 if [[ $brlapi -eq 0 ]]; then
     echo 'exec --no-startup-id xbrlapi --quiet'
 fi
@@ -770,6 +927,7 @@ exec --no-startup-id bash -c 'if [[ -f "${i3Path}/firstrun" ]]; then ${webBrowse
     include "${i3Path}/customizations"
 EOF
 touch "${i3Path}/customizations"
+touch "${i3Path}/scratchpad"
 # Check for markdown or pandoc for converting the welcome document
 if command -v pandoc &> /dev/null ; then
     pandoc -f markdown -t html "I38.md" -so "${i3Path}/I38.html" --metadata title="Welcome to I38"

scripts/bind_to_scratchpad.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# Find out if we're using i3
+if ! [[ -n "${WAYLAND_DISPLAY}" ]]; then
+    cmd="i3-msg"
+    scratchConfig="${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/i3"
+else
+    cmd="swaymsg"
+    scratchConfig="${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/sway"
+fi
+scratchConfig+="/scratchpad"
+touch "${scratchConfig}"
+
+# Get the focused window ID
+windowId=$(xdotool getactivewindow)
+
+# Get the class name of the window
+class=$(xprop -id "$windowId" WM_CLASS | awk -F '"' '{print $4}')
+
+if [[ -z "$class" ]]; then
+    notify-send "Unable to move to scratchpad."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Check if it's already in the config
+if ! grep -q "class=\"$class\"" "$scratchConfig"; then
+    echo "for_window [class=\"$class\"] move to scratchpad" >> "$scratchConfig"
+    notify-send "Added window class $class to scratchpad"
+fi
+
+# Move the window to scratchpad now
+$cmd "[class=\"$class\"] move to scratchpad"

scripts/menu.py

@@ -22,10 +22,15 @@ from gi.repository import Gtk, Gdk, GLib, Atk
 def read_desktop_files(paths):
     desktopEntries = []
     for path in paths:
+        if not Path(path).exists():
+            continue
         for file in Path(path).rglob('*.desktop'):
-            config = configparser.ConfigParser(interpolation=None)
+            try:
-            config.read(file)
+                config = configparser.ConfigParser(interpolation=None)
-            desktopEntries.append(config)
+                config.read(file, encoding='utf-8')
+                desktopEntries.append(config)
+            except (UnicodeDecodeError, configparser.Error):
+                continue
     return desktopEntries
 
 userApplicationsPath = Path.home() / '.local/share/applications'
@@ -93,34 +98,24 @@ subcategories = defaultdict(set)
 for entry in desktopEntries:
     try:
         # Check if NoDisplay=true is set
-        try:
+        if entry.getboolean('Desktop Entry', 'NoDisplay', fallback=False):
-            noDisplay = entry.getboolean('Desktop Entry', 'NoDisplay', fallback=False)
+            continue
-            if noDisplay:
+            
-                continue
+        name = entry.get('Desktop Entry', 'Name', fallback=None)
-        except:
+        execCommand = entry.get('Desktop Entry', 'Exec', fallback=None)
-            pass
+        
+        if not name or not execCommand:
+            continue
             
-        name = entry.get('Desktop Entry', 'Name')
-        execCommand = entry.get('Desktop Entry', 'Exec')
         entryCategories = entry.get('Desktop Entry', 'Categories', fallback='').split(';')
         
         # For applications with categories
         mainCategory = None
-        for category in entryCategories:
+        validCategories = [cat for cat in entryCategories if cat.strip()]
-            if category:  # Skip empty strings
-                mappedCategory = categoryMap.get(category, category)
-                if mainCategory is None:
-                    mainCategory = mappedCategory
         
-                # Check if this might be a subcategory
+        if validCategories:
-                for other in entryCategories:
+            # Use first valid category as main
-                    if other and other != category:
+            mainCategory = categoryMap.get(validCategories[0], validCategories[0])
-                        mappedOther = categoryMap.get(other, other)
-                        if mappedCategory != mappedOther:
-                            subcategories[mappedOther].add(mappedCategory)
-        
-        # If we found a category, add the application
-        if mainCategory:
             categoryApps[mainCategory][name] = execCommand
         else:
             # If no category was found, add to "Other"
@@ -194,58 +189,17 @@ class I38_Tab_Menu(Gtk.Window):
             sortedCategories.remove("All Applications")
             sortedCategories.insert(0, "All Applications")
         
-        # Create tabs
+        # Create tabs - defer TreeView creation for performance
-        for category in sortedCategories:
+        self.tabCategories = sortedCategories
+        self.createdTabs = set()  # Track which tabs have been created
+        
+        for i, category in enumerate(sortedCategories):
             if not categoryApps[category]:  # Skip empty categories
                 continue
                 
-            # Create a TreeStore for this category
+            # Create placeholder scrolled window
-            store = Gtk.TreeStore(str, str)  # Columns: Name, Exec
-            self.stores[category] = store
-            
-            # Add applications to this category's store
-            sortedApps = sorted(categoryApps[category].items())
-            
-            # Check for potential subcategories within this category
-            categorySubcategories = {}
-            for appName, appExec in sortedApps:
-                subcatFound = False
-                for subcat in subcategories.get(category, []):
-                    if appName in categoryApps.get(subcat, {}):
-                        if subcat not in categorySubcategories:
-                            categorySubcategories[subcat] = []
-                        categorySubcategories[subcat].append((appName, appExec))
-                        subcatFound = True
-                        break
-                
-                if not subcatFound:
-                    # Add directly to the category's root
-                    store.append(None, [appName, appExec])
-            
-            # Add any subcategories
-            for subcat, subcatApps in sorted(categorySubcategories.items()):
-                subcatIter = store.append(None, [subcat, None])
-                for appName, appExec in sorted(subcatApps):
-                    store.append(subcatIter, [appName, appExec])
-            
-            # Create TreeView for this category
-            treeView = Gtk.TreeView(model=store)
-            treeView.set_headers_visible(False)
-            self.treeViews[category] = treeView
-            
-            # Add column for application names
-            renderer = Gtk.CellRendererText()
-            column = Gtk.TreeViewColumn("Applications", renderer, text=0)
-            treeView.append_column(column)
-            
-            # Set up scrolled window
             scrolledWindow = Gtk.ScrolledWindow()
             scrolledWindow.set_policy(Gtk.PolicyType.AUTOMATIC, Gtk.PolicyType.AUTOMATIC)
-            scrolledWindow.add(treeView)
-            
-            # Connect signals
-            treeView.connect("row-activated", self.on_row_activated)
-            treeView.connect("key-press-event", self.on_key_press)
             
             # Create tab label
             tabLabel = Gtk.Label(label=category)
@@ -254,13 +208,14 @@ class I38_Tab_Menu(Gtk.Window):
             self.notebook.append_page(scrolledWindow, tabLabel)
             
             # Set tab accessibility properties for screen readers
-            tabChild = self.notebook.get_nth_page(self.notebook.get_n_pages() - 1)
+            accessible = scrolledWindow.get_accessible()
-            # Get the accessible object and set properties on it instead
-            accessible = tabChild.get_accessible()
             accessible.set_name(f"{category} applications")
-            # Use Atk role instead of Gtk.AccessibleRole which isn't available in GTK 3.0
             accessible.set_role(Atk.Role.LIST)
         
+        # Create first tab immediately
+        if sortedCategories:
+            self.create_tab_content(0)
+        
         # Connect notebook signals
         self.notebook.connect("switch-page", self.on_switch_page)
         
@@ -276,6 +231,48 @@ class I38_Tab_Menu(Gtk.Window):
         windowAccessible.set_name("I38 Application Menu")
         windowAccessible.set_description("Tab-based application launcher menu. Press slash to search, type app name and use down arrow to navigate results. Type letters to incrementally navigate to matching applications.")
         
+    def create_tab_content(self, tabIndex):
+        """Create TreeView content for a tab on demand"""
+        if tabIndex in self.createdTabs or tabIndex >= len(self.tabCategories):
+            return
+            
+        category = self.tabCategories[tabIndex]
+        if not categoryApps[category]:
+            return
+            
+        # Create a TreeStore for this category
+        store = Gtk.TreeStore(str, str)  # Columns: Name, Exec
+        self.stores[category] = store
+        
+        # Add applications to this category's store (simplified - no subcategories)
+        sortedApps = sorted(categoryApps[category].items())
+        for appName, appExec in sortedApps:
+            store.append(None, [appName, appExec])
+        
+        # Create TreeView for this category
+        treeView = Gtk.TreeView(model=store)
+        treeView.set_headers_visible(False)
+        self.treeViews[category] = treeView
+        
+        # Add column for application names
+        renderer = Gtk.CellRendererText()
+        column = Gtk.TreeViewColumn("Applications", renderer, text=0)
+        treeView.append_column(column)
+        
+        # Get the scrolled window for this tab
+        scrolledWindow = self.notebook.get_nth_page(tabIndex)
+        scrolledWindow.add(treeView)
+        
+        # Connect signals
+        treeView.connect("row-activated", self.on_row_activated)
+        treeView.connect("key-press-event", self.on_key_press)
+        
+        # Show the new content
+        treeView.show()
+        
+        # Mark this tab as created
+        self.createdTabs.add(tabIndex)
+        
     def populate_completion_store(self):
         """Populate completion store with all available applications"""
         self.completionStore.clear()
@@ -286,6 +283,9 @@ class I38_Tab_Menu(Gtk.Window):
                 self.completionStore.append([appName, execCommand])
                 
     def on_switch_page(self, notebook, page, pageNum):
+        # Create tab content if not already created
+        self.create_tab_content(pageNum)
+        
         # Focus the TreeView in the newly selected tab
         tab = notebook.get_nth_page(pageNum)
         for child in tab.get_children():

scripts/ocr.py

@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# This file is part of I38.
+
+# I38 is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation,
+# either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+
+# I38 is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+# PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with I38. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+
+"""
+Simple OCR Screen Reader
+A lightweight tool that performs OCR on the screen and speaks the results
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+import time
+import subprocess
+from PIL import Image, ImageOps
+import pytesseract
+import pyperclip
+
+def capture_screen(max_retries=3, initial_delay=0.2):
+    """
+    Capture the screen using scrot with robust checking and retries
+    
+    Args:
+        max_retries: Maximum number of attempts to read the image
+        initial_delay: Initial delay in seconds (will increase with retries)
+    """
+    temp_file = "/tmp/ocr_capture.png"
+    
+    try:
+        # Capture the screen
+        subprocess.run(["scrot", temp_file], check=True)
+        
+        # Wait and retry approach with validity checking
+        delay = initial_delay
+        for attempt in range(max_retries):
+            time.sleep(delay)
+            
+            # Check if file exists and has content
+            if os.path.exists(temp_file) and os.path.getsize(temp_file) > 0:
+                try:
+                    # Try to verify the image is valid
+                    with Image.open(temp_file) as test_img:
+                        # Just accessing a property forces PIL to validate the image
+                        test_img.size
+                    
+                    # If we get here, the image is valid
+                    return Image.open(temp_file)
+                except (IOError, OSError) as e:
+                    # Image exists but isn't valid yet
+                    if attempt < max_retries - 1:
+                        # Increase delay exponentially for next attempt
+                        delay *= 2
+                        continue
+                    else:
+                        raise Exception(f"Image file exists but is not valid after {max_retries} attempts")
+            
+            # File doesn't exist or is empty
+            if attempt < max_retries - 1:
+                # Increase delay exponentially for next attempt
+                delay *= 2
+            else:
+                raise Exception(f"Screenshot file not created properly after {max_retries} attempts")
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error capturing screen: {e}")
+        raise
+    finally:
+        # Ensure file is removed even if an error occurs
+        if os.path.exists(temp_file):
+            os.remove(temp_file)
+
+def process_image(img, scale_factor=1.5):
+    """Process the image to improve OCR accuracy"""
+    # Scale the image to improve OCR
+    if scale_factor != 1:
+        width, height = img.size
+        img = img.resize((int(width * scale_factor), int(height * scale_factor)), 
+                         Image.Resampling.BICUBIC)
+    
+    # Convert to grayscale for faster processing
+    img = ImageOps.grayscale(img)
+    
+    # Improve contrast for better text recognition
+    img = ImageOps.autocontrast(img)
+    
+    return img
+
+def perform_ocr(img, lang='eng'):
+    """Perform OCR on the image"""
+    # Use tessaract with optimized settings
+    # --oem 1: Use LSTM OCR Engine
+    # --psm 6: Assume a single uniform block of text
+    text = pytesseract.image_to_string(img, lang=lang, config='--oem 1 --psm 6')
+    
+    return text
+
+def copy_to_clipboard(text):
+    """Copy text to clipboard using pyperclip"""
+    try:
+        # Filter out empty lines and clean up the text
+        lines = [line.strip() for line in text.split('\n') if line.strip()]
+        cleaned_text = '\n'.join(lines)  # Preserve line breaks for clipboard
+        
+        if cleaned_text:
+            pyperclip.copy(cleaned_text)
+            return True
+        else:
+            return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error copying to clipboard: {e}")
+        return False
+
+def speak_text(text):
+    """Speak the text using speech-dispatcher"""
+    # Filter out empty lines and clean up the text
+    lines = [line.strip() for line in text.split('\n') if line.strip()]
+    cleaned_text = ' '.join(lines)
+    
+    # Use speech-dispatcher to speak the text
+    if cleaned_text:
+        subprocess.run(["spd-say", "-Cw", cleaned_text])
+    else:
+        subprocess.run(["spd-say", "-Cw", "No text detected"])
+
+def main():
+    # Limit tesseract thread usage to improve performance on Pi
+    os.environ["OMP_THREAD_LIMIT"] = "4"
+    
+    try:
+        # Announce start
+        subprocess.run(["spd-say", "-Cw", "performing OCR"])
+        
+        # Capture screen
+        img = capture_screen()
+        
+        # Process image
+        processed_img = process_image(img, scale_factor=1.5)
+        
+        # Perform OCR
+        text = perform_ocr(processed_img)
+        
+        # Copy to clipboard
+        clipboard_success = copy_to_clipboard(text)
+        
+        # Speak the results
+        speak_text(text)
+        
+    except Exception as e:
+        # Let the user know something went wrong
+        error_msg = f"Error during OCR: {str(e)}"
+        print(error_msg)
+        try:
+            subprocess.run(["spd-say", "-Cw", "OCR failed"])
+        except:
+            # If even speech fails, at least we tried
+            pass
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()