Recent Posts

1076

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 04, 2010, 05:02 AM »

okay. both keyboards work at the same time (no great surprise there) but there isn't really a good way of positioning them (no great surprise there either). i've also had another look on the autohotkey forum and it looks like two numeric keypads working together has been done already (one with numlock on, one with it off - looks like people have already got several input devices working at the same time, whether it be multi-mice or multi-keypads).

so, i just need to decide what to do. too many options at the moment...

1. keep the current keyboard and just shove it to the left - so i type at a bit of an angle - is this stupid? it's cheap.

2. try chopping the numeric key area off from my current keyboard - might "brick" the keyboard. this would be cool if it worked.

3. buy short width keyboard and a numeric keypad (maybe two keypads) - i'd jump at this but i can't find a short width keyboard with a good key layout AND back lighted keys. plenty of rubbish cheap back lighted keyboards though.

4. buy an Emprex Cheetah Professional Gaming Keyboard 9051H (see image below). for about £50. i've picked this keyboard out as it has illuminated keys, programmable keys, numeric key area removed. so, it sounds like the perfect choice - but, it just makes me think i should try chopping up my logitech g11 board first as it will be the same result (if i don't break it).



(i think i'm going to try chopping the numeric key area off from my current keyboard - after seeing if i can get used to typing at an angle.)

1077

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Mini Review of SugarSync and DropBox

« Last post by nudone on May 04, 2010, 04:37 AM »

oh dear. not good at all, wraith808. good to hear that you had things saved with dropbox though.

1078

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 03, 2010, 03:06 PM »

  i've seen a couple of pedalboards (probably the same one really) whilst looking at what's available - they aren't cheap, of course.

BUT...

i could, perhaps, put one of the keyboards on the floor and use that as a programmable pedalboard. cranioscopical, you are a genius (i've probably said that before).

1079

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 03, 2010, 11:16 AM »

it is crazy - but that is part of the appeal.

if the price was right, i'd like to have a proper programmable small keypad - it's just the cost that is making me look for alternatives.

from amazon, i can get a (decent) looking small keyboard (without numeric keys) and a numeric keypad for about £50.

to buy a "programmable" numeric/small keypad is around £50 on its own. possibly a lot more (triple the price) if i get something that looks serious.

a "game" keypad is about £30 to £60. i'm still considering one of these.

or, i just see what happens by combining my current keyboard and an additional smaller keyboard. the cost of that would be £40 - plus the potential of programming a stupid amount of keys using the HID method that skwire mentioned.

i'm going to try things out tomorrow with a spare keyboard. the chances are that trying to position two keyboards near each other isn't going to work - OR, it could be fantastic.

i suppose, really, the cost isn't such a problem - as i'll be using these things everyday so i may as well spend whatever it requires to get what i want. but, i do like the ridiculous idea of having two keyboards...

1080

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 03, 2010, 10:28 AM »

hmm, i'd not thought about those smaller gamer pads (if that's what you mean). i'd looked at the full-size gamer keyboards with extra WASD style key areas. i was half tempted to go for one of those - before deciding they weren't quite right.

i've just had a quick look at game pads on amazon and there might be some potential there - they are cheaper than the "programmable" keypads but look like they'll do the same - if not more.

so, good idea, steeladept.

1081

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 03, 2010, 12:55 AM »

just thought of another possible solution (which i can't try until i get back to my main pc). i could plug another usb keyboard in to the machine whilst also keeping the current logitech keyboard plugged in.

with a bit of luck i can fit both on the desk at the same time and just use the programmable keys on the logitech and use the standard keys from the smaller keyboard.

if that works, i'll consider remapping the whole set of keys on the logitech using the method skwire mentioned above.

now that would be amazing.

1082

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 03, 2010, 12:39 AM »

looks like this product will do what i want: http://www.amazon.co...72864704&sr=8-19

The KBC 3700B Cherry keypad is ideal for people who need an additional keypad added to their system.The unit incorporates a female PS/2 port at the rear, allowing both the keypad and a PS/2 keyboard to be plugged into the computers PS/2 keyboard port at the same time.The unit also boasts 4 re-legendable, freely programmable keys and all the other keys can also be reprogrammed, or left as standard keypad keys.No drivers needed. No setting up required.Programing - Hold down [Numlock] and the key you want to program, release and type what you want the key to output, then press [numlock].Reset - Hold down [Numlock], [-] and [Enter].

i think i will still get a basic/cheap numeric keypad first to see if that can be made to work alongside my current onboard numeric keys.

1083

Living Room / Re: could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 03, 2010, 12:10 AM »

marvellous. at least, it wasn't a completely insane idea. i may try getting a numeric keypad first and testing everything out. if that doesn't work then i know to start thinking of other solutions.

thanks for that info. i never expected it to look so feasible.

1084

Living Room / could two numeric keypads work at the same time

« Last post by nudone on May 02, 2010, 07:00 PM »

i'm using a logitech g11 keyboard at the moment - i wanted the extra programmable keys down the left hand side - but now i'm beginning to hate it as it encroaches on my mouse area.

so, i'm considering getting a keyboard without numeric keys down the right hand side - plus a separate numeric keypad i can place at the left of the keyboard (out of the way of the mouse).

it looks like i can get all of my programmable key functions back by using autohotkey - probably a lot more than what i currently have.

what i'm wondering, though, is this: could a second numeric keypad be used whilst the 1st is still connected - the 2nd using programmable keys unique to itself.

the idea is that one keypad would have numlock on and the other numlock off - can these two states exist at the same time?

i know it's a long shot (and dumb) but it would be the cheapest method, by far, for getting an extra programmable keyboard into the system.

or has anyone a better idea for adding extra keys that doesn't cost a premium price?

1085

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on May 02, 2010, 09:53 AM »

i've realised that using the middle mouse button to control acceleration isn't that clever - there are other programs that can use the middle mouse button; silly of me to forget that.

so, if anyone is interested i've changed things to middle + right buttons (together) to accelerate.

keeping the return to default speed set at middle button release only (instead of middle + right button release), appears to have the extra benefit of acting like a toggle - so you can keep locked into acceleration mode until you just hit the middle mouse button again (the middle release obviously triggered the MButton Up action).

If you want to keep things so that only acceleration works when middle and right buttons are held down then change the 2nd line from "MButton Up" to "MButton & RButton Up"

Code: AutoIt [Select]

1. MButton & RButton:: Run, "C:\Program Files\MouseAccelToggler\MouseAccelToggler.exe" accel=on speed=20 cursor="C:\Program Files\MouseAccelToggler\cursor large red.cur"
2. MButton Up:: Run, "C:\Program Files\MouseAccelToggler\MouseAccelToggler.exe" accel=off speed=10 cursor="Default"

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Finished Programs / Re: ALT key down visual indicator (for when alt key is stuck)

« Last post by nudone on May 02, 2010, 08:43 AM »

perfect. i'd just finished adding some icons to the script when i saw the compiled version - so i've attached the icons i made to this post (maybe someone else will use them).

thanks, ewemoa. i'll send some DC credits later.

now i just need to see if i was right about my mouse messing with me.

1087

Finished Programs / DONE: ALT key down visual indicator (for when alt key is stuck)

« Last post by nudone on May 02, 2010, 07:09 AM »

i'm fighting my logitech mouse which likes annoying me by locking the ALT key down (i have alt + tab assigned to a mouse button and i suspect it doesn't release the alt key sometimes).

it would be helpful if i had some kind of warning, probably a tray icon, that indicated that the ALT key was held down (i could provide the icon for this, i'm thinking that a flashing red dot would be easy to identify).

i'm sure this is an autohotkey type problem so i appreciate that i could spend a few hours/days trying to figure it out - but i'm hoping one of you autohotkey masters will help out.

thanks.

1088

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on May 02, 2010, 06:27 AM »

good point. i changed it to the middle mouse button, MButton, and this appears to works brilliantly.

(my middle mouse button is actually next to my thumb so i can still easily press the left/right buttons at the same time. meaning, i can drag windows about and other functions whilst in the temporary "fast" mouse mode.)

i do like the visual cue on the cursor too.

i think this "accelerate only when button held down" method works really, really, well. i know exactly how fast my mouse is going to travel - and i like how the cursor changes (to a red dot) only when in fast mode. it doesn't get in the way of any other cursors that the system (or design) programs use.

i just need to make my logitech mouse behave now. i think it makes the alt key lock down sometimes - which was probably what was causing MAT to stop working. maybe.

anyway, great job, skwire.

1089

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on May 01, 2010, 08:36 PM »

amazing. autohotkey to the rescue (and skwire) again.

i'll give this a try as soon as i'm back on the main pc.

1090

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on May 01, 2010, 03:05 PM »

if the toggle could be made so that it only accelerated when a hotkey was held down then i wouldn't need a visual cue as to what mode the speed is in. i didn't ask if this could be included with MAT as i thought the visual cue would be simpler/easier to do. but, if i'm honest, the accelerate only when hotkey/button is down is the method i need. this is also how i'd expect a built in mouse acceleration to work - is this how a gaming mouse works?

as MAT works through switches that are either set or not - would it be possible to adapt it do the acceleration only when a hotkey is held down?

1091

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on May 01, 2010, 02:35 PM »

in fact, given that the goal is to toggle back and forth acceleration for high precision uses (like in a graphics program), it would seem to me highly likely that the graphics program is going to have its own custom cursors in use (like paintbrush cursor, etc.) so the whole cursor changing idea is not going to cut it.

-mouser (May 01, 2010, 02:27 PM)

oh dear. i completely forgot about that. maybe a tray icon is the way to go - and desktop colour change (though that will be hidden a lot of the time).

at this rate it looks like i'll be sticking with my original (very basic) cursor slide method.

are there any other visual cues that would help?

1092

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on May 01, 2010, 02:22 PM »

very good. i'll not be able to test it out until monday so i'll let you know then. that's unfortunate about the cursor dominating all other cursors. wish i could suggest something that you won't have already thought about.

i'm stil not sure why MAT seems to stop working sometimes. i think it has something to do with the logitech setpoint controls getting confused - not sure if that could really stop the exe with switches from working too when run on its own. there is definitely something strange with this setpoint stuff though - deleted settings keep coming back (so i need to figure out what's going on there).

1093

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 02:33 PM »

not sure what's wrong but all Mouse Acceleration Toggler functions have stopped working here. i've not rebooted yet so will have to see what happens after that.

only thing i can see that is different with my system is that i've disabled all secondary monitors - everything seemed fine whilst i was using them earlier.

1094

Living Room / Re: Ergonomic mouse and keyboard

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 11:41 AM »

i'm going to look at this insides of this keyboard (soon) but i expect the board that acts as the circuit for all the keys will be too difficult to cut - but, if not, then i'll consider cutting things up very carefully. i only want the numberpad area removing really.

i've also seen a few usb style numberpads you can buy quite cheap. i'm tempted to get one of them and then use something like autohotkey to provide all of the programmable keys i use with this current G11 keyboard.

one other reason i didn't want to lose this G11 board is that the keys are illuminated. i guess i just want too much in one package.

1095

Living Room / Re: Ergonomic mouse and keyboard

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 10:32 AM »

  That's what everyone thinks that I've done to mine!!

-Perry Mowbray (April 30, 2010, 10:24 AM)

i'm pretty sure that's what you've done too. no one is crazy enough to buy a keyboard that's already sawn in two. it worked for you - so it will work for me 

1096

Living Room / Re: Ergonomic mouse and keyboard

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 10:21 AM »

hmm, sticking a numberpad in the middle of your keyboard(s) sounds like a good solution.

i quite like the look of the TypeMatrix keyboard. i've also found this one, the "mouse friendly" keyboard (i've also seen a few left-handed keyboards now, which is what this is under another name): http://www.evoluent.com/kb1.html

still premium prices. if i could saw my keyboard in two - so the numberpad was gone i'd do it. maybe i should look into it.

1097

Living Room / Re: Ergonomic mouse and keyboard

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 09:46 AM »

I wrote very briefly here about the set-up (which reminds me I should update it because it's been very good and completely solved my pain issues  )

-Perry Mowbray (April 30, 2010, 09:03 AM)

interesting. i like the keyboard - very much. i'm wondering whether to get one. i'm not suffering any wrist ache but that keyboard looks like one of, if not the most, sensible designs ever.

slight off topic:
i wonder how many people (around the world using computers) actually need the number keys on the right-hand-side. i mean, really need them - like everyday. that number key area is taking up mouse movement space - something that nearly all right-handed mouse users could use if a lump of plastic wasn't in the way.

remove the numberpad area and you can position your keyboard better (more room on the right) whilst also giving your mouse more room to travel AND thereby placing the mouse closer - so less reach is involved.

it all seems so obvious - make the numberpad its own little lump of plastic - position where you like. you could even stick it in the way of your mouse and relive the pointless lack of space you had before.


so, i want a keyboard without a numberpad (or with a separate pad). the reason i don't rush out and buy something is because my current keyboard (Logitech G11) has a set of extra keys (18 x 3) down the left-hand-side which are programmable - i like that - i use that.

it's the 21st century and the standard keyboard is something designed by someone that obviously didn't understand the importance of a mouse.

we should have split keyboards by now - with extra programmable keys (on their own pad), numberpad keys (on their own pad), and the main keys split in the middle so you can position them under your hands - AND all out of the way of the mouse.

i know all these will be available somewhere - but at a premium cost.

it's dumb.

i need to go and calm down now...

1098

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 09:10 AM »

excellent. I've emailed you a few cursors to try.

1099

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 08:00 AM »

okay, i'll email something in a few minutes - just basic to see how things work.

would it be asking too much if the user could pick their own cursors to use. like yourself, some people will prefer a number to indicate speed - but i'd prefer a colour difference myself as it will be more immediate in recognising the difference - for acceleration on, at least (even if it's just a tiny red dot in the middle of the cursor). other people will have their own opinion of what is a good visual cue - giant cursor, coloured cursor, flashing (animated) cursor.

1100

Finished Programs / Re: Toggle mouse cursor speed or acceleration with hotkey

« Last post by nudone on April 30, 2010, 07:00 AM »

i've just posted a quick request in the original thread:

https://www.donation....msg203609#msg203609