As you may have found out from the time it took me to answer your question, it's pretty busy at the home front at the moment.
I recently started in a new job and for some reason I seem to have less time each day to do new developments on Hotkeys.
So far, I've revamped the user-interface to accommodate for some new features (cosmetic mostly) and I'm working on improving the way to create Hotkeys. The current way of creating multiple hotkey combinations is cumbersome and I'm rewriting the entire application for a more intuitive approach to defining Hotkeys.
This week, I'll send out a message in the Hotkeys list with all the new features that are planned for version 2.0 (I'll use version 1.6 thru 1.9 as intermediate releases with parts of the new functionality added everytime). I'l also invite everyone on the list to augment the new features list.
To finally answer your question; I'm expecting to release version 1.6 this month. Don't expect lots of new stuff (user-interface has changed and a couple of annoying bugs are fixed). Versions 1.7 through 1.9 will be released during November and December. Finally, I'm hoping to release version 2.0 (of version 2000 or 2k or whatever) before X-mas this year.
your help file doesn't define "sendkeys" very well
but in reading some of the messages posted on your site I got the idea. Now, if I use sendkeys for my banking or other codes/passwords - is there any way someone can use your program to read them?
I have to agree with you that the help file is somewhat meager. The next release of Hotkeys will have a better help file (I'm rebuilding it from the ground up).
As to security: everything that is 'sendkeyed' is stored plain in the HKD file. It is also visible on the screen. The next release of Hotkeys will add a 'masking' capability for the Sendkeys text entry field, but this is still not secure.
Maybe adding a password to get into the application and encrypting the HKD file may help in making it more secure, but up until now I haven't given it much thought (noone ever asked for it before). Besides, there's always the issue of how safe encryption is (especially if you distribute the source-code of the program).
If you (or any else) have suggestions, please don't hesitate to share them with me.
I like many of the default commands that come with this program. I can see how they can greatly improve efficiency. I'd like to get even more effecient by programming in the following keystrokes designed for a fast-touch typist such as myself. I've already installed a utility that moves the control key back by the letter A where it originally was on PCs and where it's in easier reach for fast tyists.
Now I'd like to program in the following:
Ctrl+A = one word right (like Ctrl+left arrow)
Ctrl+S = one character right (like the left arrow)
Ctrl+D = one character right (like the right arrow)
Ctrl+F = one word right (like the Ctrl+right arrow)
Ctrl+E = up one line (like up arrow)
Ctrl+X = down one line (like down arrow)
Ctrl+R = up one screen (like page up)
Ctrl+C = down one screen (like page down)
Ctrl+QS or Alt+A = to beginning of line (like Home)
Ctrl+QD or Alt+L = to end of line (like End)
Is it possible to use program in these keystrokes with HotKey? If yes, how do I do it? If no, is there another program that will?
I'm not worried about shutting off some of the default Windows commands such as Ctrl+S for save or Ctrl+X for cut. I can change those to Alt+S and Alt+X respectively or maybe Win+S and Win+X.
If anyone knows how I could accomplish what I want, I'd really appreciate knowing how. Thanks.
New hotkey definition:
Desc: one word right
Action: send keystrokes
Keys to send: ^{LEFT}
Hotkey combo: Ctrl + A
You can do this for all the other keys you like as well. One note, Sendkeys works only AFTER you release the entire hotkey combination so there's no auto repeat on this.
For a list of all the possible keys and modifiers you can send using the sendkeys command, press the ellipsis button at the right of the text field and look in the special characters combo box at the bottom of the sendkey window.
Hope this answers your question. With best regards
There's a topic in the helpfile about (how to use) the virtual clipboards functionality. I agree that documentation could be better (will be in the next version), but for now it'll have to do.
If you need assistance getting the virtual clipboards to work, please contact me directly by e-mail.
I don't have a "Windows" button (Toshiba Satellite T2115CS). Do I? It's not just the Fn button ? correct?
I know I'll get a new computer soon, but until then can I use your cool software?
Thanks, Thaddeus.
Yes, you can use Hotkeys without a Win-key, since all hotkey combinations can be freely defined.
The hotkeys.hkd file (containg all the definitions) that comes with the package defines all hotkeys using a Win-key, but you're completely free to redefine the hotkey combination for any of the definitions:
- click on the hotkey definition you want to change
- check the Ctrl, Alt or Shift (or a combination of these) checkboxes
- uncheck the Win-checkbox
- click the Apply button
Now the hotkey definition is changed. Maybe in a next release it's a good idea to also include a hkd file that doesn't utilize the Win-key for those 'unfortunate' people that don't have a win-key.
There is no need to uninstall previous versions of the program before installing a newer version. The installation program will never overwrite your existing HKD files and Hotkeys takes care of automatically converting to HKD files to accommodate new features.
I downloaded the program hoping that I would be able to program some keys (eg. F5-F8) with passwords to be used on frequently accessed websites which require membership. Is this possible?? Can someone tell me how??
It's quite easy to program a function key to send username and password information to an application. You'll have to use the Sendkeys command type hotkey for that. An example:
to send username Dennis Cross and password MyPassword to the active window when you press F5 do the following:
1. Press Win+H to bring up the Hotkeys editor
2. Click the 'New' button
3. Type 'Send username and password' in the
description field
4. Select 'Send keystrokes' from the Action combo
box.
5. Type 'Dennis Cross{TAB}MyPassword' in the
keys to send text field (without the quotes)
6. Select F5 from the hotkey combobox.
7. Press the Apply button.
Now, whenever you press F5, the text you specified will be sent to the active window.
Hope this answers your question.
With best regards
Arjen Broeze
P.S. The text in the hotkeys editor cannot be masked yet with an asterisk (this will be a new feature in version 1.6 which will be released at the end of this month)
Thanks for the response to this question. I've been able to do what I wanted to ... and it makes a wonderful way to start off using the program. Thanks again!!