Windows Application Spotlight: AutoHotkey

[antpower]

AutoHotkey is this really neat program that enables you to use hotkeys for whatever you like. Things like opening a new program, resizing, or moving windows, ... This can be scripted using plain old notepad and a lot of knowledge what you're doing, or with a Macro Recorder.

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You create a script (you can use the online documentation for that). Some advantages:

- You can run multiple hotkey files at once!
Say you are using a batch of special hotkeys for windows. but then you decide to start working with, let's say Word. You simply load up the hotkey-file for word, and you're good to go!

- Convert your hotkeys to programs
Share your hotkeys with people who don't have AHK installed. AHK has the ability to convert scripts to exe's.

- scripting with variables
By using scripts, AHK has the ability to use variables.This enhances customization.


Conclusion:
Writing your first program will most definatly take a lot of time to search and write, unless you are using a Macro Recorder, but it saves you much time on the long run.


Website:
http://www.autohotkey.com/

Macro Recorder:
http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/21866-macro-recorder/


Tell me what you think!
[Antpower]

 

[illage2]

A good Alternative on Linux would be Synapse which you can get from the Software Centre and there's no need to write your own scripts.

 

[antpower]

I like the ability to script. I can choose to do wathever I want then

 

[illage2]

I like the ability to script. I can choose to do wathever I want then

Fair enough

 

[antpower]

But it's great you know of an alternative Linux users don't always have it easy software-wise...

 

[Duncan]

I'm yet to truely get into the meat of autohotkey but I know it's invaluable to a lot of people

Could you give some examples of what you're using it for?

 

[antpower]

I'm using it to shortcut certain events. For example, if I'm writing code, I have certain hotkeys setup to pretype a snippet in the code.
You can also set up hotkeys to open certain folders, or even launch a program. It can type and click for you, basically. When on my desktop,
I simply use a hotkey to open up Ableton for example, and the hotkeyfile for the program is automatically loaded, and the hotkeys adapted.
Then I can easily proceed working on my music with the new hotkeys.
I think it could be usefull to the ones using their pc a lot, and want to work faster.