Even though this is about software I don't feel it belongs in the technology section, at worst in both.
I have some software that some of you might find usefull. Its called autohot key. I initially got it to use for rearanging hotkeys for video games but it can be used for so much more.
Here's a link:
AutoHotkey - Free Mouse and Keyboard Macro Program with Hotkeys and AutoText
Whats cool about it is it can be used to create hotkeys for specific programs easily. For example if I would like to make it so that my windows key + n openend notebook all I put this command in my default script:
#n::Run Notepad
Quite simple and powerful. If you want to remap a key like make it so that when you press a it types z you do this:
a::z
If you want F1 to open
www.stevepavlina.com
F1::Run
www.stevepavlina.com
It can even do multiple things with one key, a macro:
F1::
Run ww.stevepavlina.com
Run Notepad
return
The run function works with anyprogram you can call from the windows run prompt (winkey + r). However ifyou wanna run winamp:
F1::Run C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe
If you'd like to bind an email signature to a key
#s::
Send Sincerely,{Enter}John Smith
return
If youa re a more advanced windows user with a little understanding of how scripting works in general this program is very powerful:
IfWinExist Untitled - Notepad
{
WinActivate
}
else
{
Run Notepad
WinWait Untitled - Notepad
WinActivate
}
That script will check to see if notepad is running and if it is it will switch to it, if it is not it starts it.
Or create a msg box for user input:
MsgBox, 4, , Would you like to continue?
IfMsgBox, No
return
; Otherwise, the user picked yes. This is a comment
MsgBox You pressed YES.
Simple stuff really.
Its super powerfull you can manipulate files and folders, use variables, pull from the clipboard or send to it, repeat actions several times, it also has a nifty mouse capture feature that allows you to record mouse movements and clicks to replay on a button press. It even has two modes for the recording, one is interprogram meaning all recordings are within that program only, which was usefull for my video game. And they also have one that is global and would be able to switch between different windows and programs.
There are also tons of user released scripts for common stuff. There are mouse gesture sets, smart dragging for windows (you don't have to click the title bar to drag them click anywhere).
This is the ultimate in hotkey usage softare and its totally free. If you find your self doing any task in windows 5 or more times why not set it up to be automated? Have a program that you run frequently but doesn't have a built in scheduler? This is your answer.
Hope you guys like it,
Cheers
Timothy