Letter commands

[Liam]

I have been on a quest for a lightweight app launcher for a very long time.  Lightweight both in memory, disk and cpu resources -and- in user interface resources.  I'm a command line geek, so if I can do something with the mouse, I want to be able to do it without the mouse.  I'm a programmer, both professionally and avocationally, so I spend a lot of time and screen space on my text editor.  Reaching for the mouse is usually an interruption, though of course it is sometimes warranted.

One of the first things I wished for was a manual setup.  The first thing I did after installing was do delete all of the commands that didn't involve "preset" and to rename the rest with a leading "z" to push them to the bottom of the list.  Then I proceeded to set up some apps.

Next on the wish list was Keumgang's note snooze periods.  Then note handling without using the mouse at all (It may be that I just have to play with it some more to figure this out).

Finally, can I use letter commands for something that does not involve the web browser?

Nascif's idea for integration with scripting languages is good but it needs to be kept general - my scripting needs involve Dos/Windows batch language and BASH scripting (ala Cygwin) but every user will have there own preferences.

Lastly, do -not- let us, the users, talk you into bloating this program.  "You can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself".  Of course -my- features are important. 

What are the differences between regular version and the USB version?  I don't want to use the default web browser.  I also want portability (shun the registry).

You have a great program here, without any changes.  I will keep it on my home PC, as-is or with upgrades.  What is involved in licensing it for a business PC?

Oops.  I rambled.

Thanks Liam

[Andrew Langford]

Thanks for the suggestions Liam.  The snooze periods are something I can work on.  In the mean time, remember that you can set a reminder for a note to pop up whenever you want it to, although this is not as fast and easy as clicking a snooze time.

I've heard of people using letter commands for network paths, but I personally haven't tried it.  If you want to mess around with it, let me know how it goes.

The USB version will always use the default Windows browser.  The reason for this is obvious -- a default browser in Keybreeze could be Firefox or Opera, but what if the computer you plug the USB drive into doesn't have this browser?  The default Windows browser was the easiest option to avoid non-existing browsers, different versions, conflicts, etc.

The other differences include an Import/Export feature that is only available in the USB version.  The tutorial and setup program are also different in the USB version to help the user set up the program.

I know it's great to have a program with a lot of features, but obviously a program with too many features can become confusing and bloated, as you suggested.  Keybreeze may be reaching its limit, but I do plan on incorporating add-ons or plug-ins to the program eventually.  Instead of having a program with a thousand features, users could download features that they want.  I'm pretty excited about this idea, but it may take some time to incorporate add-ons.

You can obtain a license to use Keybreeze on a business PC by visiting www.keybreeze.com/business.htm.  A license for one computer is only $14.95.

[Liam]

I had not tried out the reminders, but that sounds like just about what I had in mind.


The reason I'm  concerned about the default browser (USB version) is that, as a security measure, I keep IE as the default browser - and then use the firewall to deny it access to the internet.  I use Firefox as my web browser and only open up the firewall (manually) for IT for windows update or if there is some really overriding reason to do so.  I do the same sort of thing with email - call me paranoid.  So even on my own machine, the default browser is not what I want.

I do understand your concern about the preferred browser not being present as one hops from machine to machine and that's a far bigger issue than my (admittedly quirky) setup.

Are all of the program settings kept in those .txt and .ini files in the Keybreeze program directory?
If so, the whole USB vs regular becomes moot (for me).  I can see myself playing with those as necessary to use the regular version on a thumb drive - perhaps even keeping multiple "profiles" for whatever situation.  Hmmmm...


Allowing the Keybreeze window to be made transparent was a great idea.  I like to just issue a command and have it happen - no fuss, no distraction.  On the other hand, the Command List window -not- showing up on the task bar while open is a pain in the neck - I've already lost it a few times and had to minimize other windows to find it again.


I'll put Keybreeze through its paces for a while and when it becomes "indispensable" to me (as I have no doubt it will), I'll see if I can get the 'OK' from my boss to get it for work (very small company, so don't expect a huge volume or anything like that).

Liam

[mystuff]

A possible solution for the problem below if for the USB version to allow for custom browsers to be configured BUT if it can't find that one it will select the default browser... that doesn't sound to complicated to implement, right?
Liam happy and everyone else to, I think I would use that too to start Firefox or Opera if available, and else settle with IE.

The reason I'm  concerned about the default browser (USB version) is that, as a security measure, I keep IE as the default browser - and then use the firewall to deny it access to the internet.  I use Firefox as my web browser and only open up the firewall (manually) for IT for windows update or if there is some really overriding reason to do so.  I do the same sort of thing with email - call me paranoid.  So even on my own machine, the default browser is not what I want.

I do understand your concern about the preferred browser not being present as one hops from machine to machine and that's a far bigger issue than my (admittedly quirky) setup.