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Author Topic: DONE - IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows  (Read 19520 times)

jacques0

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DONE - IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« on: July 15, 2005, 09:34 PM »
I do some day-trading, so I run a trading program, plus 1-several IE windows, along with the occasional OE window, etc. 

I switch back and forth between these various windows, either by clicking their buttons on the status bar, or else doing the ALT-TAB or (better) the ALT-ESC keyboard combo.

The challenge:  Wouldn't it be cool if I could run a small app that would (1)Scroll through my open windows, using the ALT-ESC function, and (2) allow me to set the interval (i.e., 5 sec, 10 sec., etc.).

Also, an interrupt function (Esc? AnyKey?) would allow me to pause at any window, should I wish to remain there.

Any takers?

Good luck (and THANKS!)

Jacques
« Last Edit: July 17, 2005, 11:29 PM by mouser »

mouser

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2005, 09:51 PM »
this is perfect request for coding snack.
i suggest a general solution, a little try util that can send a user-specified keyboard command at user-specified interval, which can be toggled on and off by double clicking on try icon.

Scott

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2005, 10:09 PM »
I could almost swear I've heard of an application that does exactly what jacques0 wants.  I'm 99% sure...  I'll post again if I find it.
« Next Edit: Tomorrow at 12:13:47 AM by Scott »

mouser

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2005, 01:42 AM »
ok ill hold off on coding it then until we have a better feeling for whether it exists or not.

nilness

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2005, 08:35 PM »
AnalogX (www.analogx.com) made the program AutoTab several years ago for The Screen Savers. It may be what you're looking for.

mouser

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2005, 08:39 PM »
nice work!
nilness found it - that does exactly what you want and is free:

http://www.analogx.c...d/system/autotab.htm

analogx, btw, for people don't know, is a great source of unique freeware.

Scott

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2005, 08:43 PM »
Haha, no wonder I couldn't remember where I'd heard of that application!
« Next Edit: Tomorrow at 12:13:47 AM by Scott »

jacques0

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2005, 10:21 AM »
Gentlemen:  Thank you very much; that is EXACTLY the program I was hoping for.  I just installed it and it works great.

Oddly, I have been to the AnalogX site countless times, and have several of their apps on my system.   I don't know how this eluded me this time, but I sincerely appreciate the efforts of everyone here to find it.

All the best, and have a great weekend.

Jacques

mouser

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2005, 11:23 AM »
you gotta love the quality of people on this forum :)

skrommel

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DONE: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2005, 08:10 PM »
 :) Here's a quick AutoHotKey-script to Alt-Esc through the active windows with a user defined pause. Escape quits the program.

Edit: Download and install AutoHotKey from www.autohotkey.com. Save the script as TimeToChange.ahk and doubleclick to run.

Skrommel


;TimeToChange
;Timed switching between active windows
;Skrommel 2005

InputBox, pause, TimeToChange, TimeToChange switches between windows.`n`nPress Escape to quit.`n`nInput time in seconds between window switch:
If pause<1
  pause=1
LOOP:
Send,{LAlt Down}{Esc}{LAlt Up}
Sleep,%pause%000
Goto,LOOP

Esc::
ExitApp
« Last Edit: July 17, 2005, 08:33 PM by skrommel »

kfitting

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2005, 08:53 PM »
If anyone wants/cares I could translate skrommel's script into an AutoIt exe for easier packaging.  skrommel let me know if you don't want this and I wont do it!  The only reason is so people don't have to install anything. 

Kevin

mouser

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2005, 09:06 PM »
yes i think it would be good to make an exe and host both scritp+exe on the snacks page.

kfitting

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Re: IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2005, 09:39 PM »
Ok mouser, here is the result.  One caveat: if skrommel does not want this posted, it should be taken down.  I have included both the script and the exe for your perusal.  Steps:

0. Change the extension on the "txt" file from txt to "exe" (until mouser can put this somewhere else... this is the executable)
1. run the exe
2. when you want to start switching, press escape
3. choose how many seconds between programs, hit enter
4. hit escape when you are done looking.  The exe WILL stay in the tray, convienietly taking over your escape key for the duration!

If you want to change the hotkey editing the autoit script and a recompile are required.  If demand is enough, I can make the hotkey customizable.  Once again, with the addition of running in the background, this is a copy from skrommel's script.  All thanks should go to him!

kevin

below is the script:

;AltTab
;Timed switching between active windows
;Translated from an AutoHotKey script made by: Skrommel 2005

Global $Loop
Global $Pause

HotKeySet("{esc}", "HotkeyPressed")

$Loop = 0

While 1
Sleep(10000)
WEnd


HotKeySet("{esc}")
$Loop = 0

Func HotkeyPressed()
If $Loop = 0 Then
$Pause = InputBox("Insert Pause...", "Insert the number of seconds to pause between switching apps... Press Escape to quit!", "5")

$Loop = 1

If $Pause < 1 Then $Pause = 1

Do
Send("!{esc}")
Sleep($Pause & "000")
Until $Loop = 0
ElseIf $Loop = 1 Then
$Loop = 0
EndIf
EndFunc   ;==>HotkeyPressed

skrommel

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Re: DONE - IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2005, 09:15 AM »
:) Feel free to do as you please.

If you want compiled scripts, AutoHotKey can do that, too. There's a few functions in AutoHotKey that's not in AutoIt.

Skrommel