Recent Posts

401

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request v2 - time to get started

« Last post by kfitting on August 29, 2005, 07:16 PM »

Did you look at the "Super Context" thread mouser?  The way I see it, super context is sort of like how XP puts common tasks for filetypes on the left side of their clunky explorer interface.  If I understand NonTroppo correctly, in FindRun you could do a search, then via some hotkey bring up a menu of common tasks (ie, I could bring up different image editors/viewers for jpg files).  Though I think NonTroppo has a bit more in mind.  As always, I could be wrong!  Basically, super context means that depending on the file you highlight, different actions are readily available.  It's an interesting idea, though trying to keep everything on the keyboard is getting interesting!

I don't see a problem with combining "group alias" and "regular expression" commands.  I think the most important part will be explaining how to use them so people see the power they can have.  It also might be wise to try to come up with some kind of GUI for their creation since non-Geeks aren't really all that fond of the command line (I'm a geek and am hardly fond of it myself!).  But other than that, I don't see any problems with it and I think it will greatly enhance the searching capabilities of FindRun.

Kevin

402

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request v2 - time to get started

« Last post by kfitting on August 29, 2005, 06:59 PM »

I second this commotion!  Sounds extremely powerful... and confusing enough to warrent learning about.  A double benefit!

Kevin

403

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request: Super Context...

« Last post by kfitting on August 29, 2005, 02:47 PM »

Super Context is certainly intriguing... especially if more advanced groups are used to list files of a certain type etc.  It would be cool to just be able to hit tab and select from the normal windows context menu even.  The problem is, how do you select the file to expand the context menu for?  Since FindRun is also a program launcher, pressing a number should not bring up the context menu by default since then it would take more presses to launch programs.  But, interesting idea nonetheless, and with a little refining it could be made very powerful.

Kevin

404

Find And Run Robot / Re: F&R fans get an update

« Last post by kfitting on August 29, 2005, 11:06 AM »

I personally dont see the need to make the buttons Ctrl1-9 capable... why not just assign a hotkey to an exe?  But, if buttons could be made to do more than just launching.... (and here I draw a blank).  A quick cheesy example that can probably be done already another way would be if you could make a button launch a series of files, then it might be worth using the mouse.  Or, if the buttons would change FindRun configuration in some way (yes, I realize I'm stepping all over the earlier arguments!).  Or maybe you could assign buttons for how you want the programs to appear on screen (upper left, centered, maximised, tiled vertically) as they opened.  I dont have many ideas just now (I actaully do much better combining ideas or thinking up variations... that's why I'm an engineer!), but the buttons lend themselves to some very advanced commands (once we think of them!).

Regarding the whole snapshot idea: in some ways I think this is a great idea, and with your database experience from CHS, it may not be too hard to implement.  However, the biggest problems I see are: how do you get the items into the database, and how do you keep database filesize down?  You could index in the background, but then FindRun cant pick up changed files on the fly.  You could index as you search, but this would slow down initial searches a lot and somewhat slow down later searches since a comparison needs to be done.  An idea worthy of further consideration, however.

Kevin

405

Find And Run Robot / Re: F&R fans get an update

« Last post by kfitting on August 29, 2005, 08:27 AM »

Ahhhhh, ok, your explanations make sense.

I like the toolbar idea a lot, I just wonder if there could be a way to integrate it with the keyboard more.  RIght now, to use it requires hitting the hotkey to bring up FindRun, then using the mouse to "launch" the button.  Like I said, I think the toolbar is a good idea, just trying to brainstorm if it could be more fully incorporated into the "keyboard centric" flow of FindRun.

Kevin

406

Find And Run Robot / Re: F&R fans get an update

« Last post by kfitting on August 29, 2005, 07:27 AM »

Toolbar looks fine to me.  The only problem I could see is that it runs into the search bar if you put a lot of buttons on it.  Could you give an example of drag and drop out of FindRun?  (I looked through the helpfile very quickly, I may have missed it)  Or, could you explain what it does?  I may be forgetting a prior conversation....  Also, while trying to get to the helpfile, I noticed that the toolbar button for help does not launch the helpfile.  I click on it, it brings up a menu, I click help, and nothing happens.  I have not had this problem with any of the other toolbar buttons.

One other clarification: items added to the toolbar are sort of like the quick-launch bar in windows?  In other words, clicking a self-made button launches a program/file?  Or, is there more functionality here that I'm missing? 

Looks good overall though.  The new toolbar seems to work well, just have to play around with it to find out what all it can do! 

Kevin

407

Clipboard Help+Spell / Plugin idea

« Last post by kfitting on August 28, 2005, 12:29 PM »

One cool idea for a plugin for CHS would be a removable media database.  There are programs that recreate a cdrom's directory structure so you dont have to put the cd in the drive to find out what files are on it.  Since CHS already has a database, it wouldnt take a lot of effort (said the layman looking from the outside, inward) to have CHS read a cd directory and store it in a database.  Just a thought!

In other news (or questions), how is CHS coming along mouser?  I know you're working hard on other programs, getting the liscence thingy working, and updating the site, so please dont take this question as an implication that you're slacking!  To the contrary, perhaps you need a break!  Just wondering how plans are shaping up for CHS and it's inclusion of a more generic database function. 

Kevin

408

Find And Run Robot / Re: F&R fans get an update

« Last post by kfitting on August 27, 2005, 11:43 AM »

Context menu pop-up: right click on a program and go down to the menu entry labeled "Shell Context Menu..."

Kevin

409

Find And Run Robot / Re: F&R fans get an update

« Last post by kfitting on August 27, 2005, 11:00 AM »

Got two ideas for you:

- First, I realized I spoke too soon regarding the start up speed I mentioned above: FindRun still flashes its history once before attaining focus.  I think sometimes it happens so fast I don't see it, but it can take a noticeable amount of time and keeps anything from being typed into the search window.  Is this able to be corrected?  I press pause/break, FindRun comes to the top with the history showing (as normal), then goes blank, then brings the history back up.  This usually is the worst when other things are going on, so I'm sure it's related to processor speed, but why does FindRun need to flash the history at all?

- Second, is there a way you can resume a search?  As you type you can hit escape to stop the search, but if you stop it you can't resume from where you left off.  This sounds trivial but it's something I've tried to do more than a couple times. 

Don't know if these is possible, just trying to think of new "quick" features!

Kevin

410

Find And Run Robot / Re: F&R fans get an update

« Last post by kfitting on August 27, 2005, 09:04 AM »

Comments after a few minutes of fooling around with the new version:

- Could the normal shell context menu be made into a submenu?  This would eliminate the need for a click and also avoid the "hanging menu" look (when you open the context menu, it appears far away from the file you actually clicked on).
- The Window for the aliases looks mis-sized.  The bottom edge cuts off some of the ok/cancel buttons.  Not a big deal functionaly, everything still works, but it just looks kind of funny!
- I may be "backward" or stuck in the past, but could you add a browse to file button in the alias creation window?  I realize you can drag 'n drop and add from the main window of FindRun (possibly the most useful) but it feels weird not to be able to browse for the file you want.  Drag 'n drop requires you to open explorer (or your superious explorer replacement of choice) and then add files.  All ways are useful I think.

Other than that... will keep playing.  Looks good so far though.  I also noticed that reaction time is better.  Before, pressing the hotkey brought FindRun to the front but then you had to wait a second or so while it flashed the history at you.  Now, it just comes up and is ready to go!  Nice...  Thanks for the update,

Kevin

411

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: can get slow with lots of clips

« Last post by kfitting on August 24, 2005, 12:50 PM »

How about the "A Call to an OS function failed" error?  I usually get this when I come into work in the morning after leaving my computer on all night.

Kevin

412

Cheat Sheeter / Similar Program

« Last post by kfitting on August 24, 2005, 11:04 AM »

Dont know if development is still going on here, but this is an interesting concept for a similar program:

http://www.qliner.com/hotkeys/

Kevin

413

General Software Discussion / Re: Macro programs - advice sought...

« Last post by kfitting on August 24, 2005, 05:41 AM »

Yeah AutoIt and AutoHotKey are two amazing utilities.  I tend to use AutoHotKey more for "shell tweaks" (hotkeys, always-running windows enhancements) and AutoIt for scripting.  AutoHotKey has a very simple and powerful text replacement/hotkey configuration that AutoIt just seems to make overly complex (relatively I mean).  But, I just cant get used to the AutoHotKey syntax!  I know it's supposed to make things easier, and maybe it is if you've never coded before, but it seems much more fluid (like, sometimes variables need to be enclosed by %, sometimes not, sometimes you need to use :=, other times just =).  I like the more rigid structure of AutoIt.  It's closer to the VBA I'm accustomed to. 

All that blabber having been said, as mouser said, they are both extremely powerful and I'm not sure one is "better" than the other.  Test drive them both for a while and see what you use each one for!!

Kevin

414

General Software Discussion / Re: Macro programs - advice sought...

« Last post by kfitting on August 23, 2005, 05:38 PM »

While we're talking AutoHotKey, don't forget AutoIt (http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/). 

Kevin

415

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA - Memory utilization

« Last post by kfitting on August 23, 2005, 05:43 AM »

Thanks for the suggestions.  Unfortunately it's not a big enough priority here at work to spend $50 for!  The problem with Windows task manager is that you have to watch it.  The mechanical engineers here at work want to monitor their CAD program for memory usage... you'd think 2 gig of memory would be enough, but it's not.  It's a very specific task, which is why I wanted to write an AutoIt script. Then I found out that there is no easy way to do this!  Any other suggestions?  Freeware might work, but it's more of a convienience tool if anything.  Thanks,

Kevin

416

Finished Programs / DONE - Memory utilization

« Last post by kfitting on August 22, 2005, 06:16 AM »

Got a quick request for an app I could use at work.  Basically I need to keep track of an apps memory usage.  I was going to write something in AutoIt, but couldnt find any way to determine the memory usage of a specific process.  I turned to AutoHotKey, but that had nothing as well.  Asked in the AutoIt forums, but couldnt get an answer.  What I would love is for someone to give instructions for how to find a process' memory usage so I could write my own script.... but, if that is impossible, if someone could code a quick app for me that would be great. 

Requirements:
- Choose ONE executable to track
- Set an alarm so if the exe goes above a certain threshold a tooltip or messagebox or tray balloon would pop up with userdefinable text (including the amount of memory)


I dont want a bunch of features.... just a quick and dirty app!  THanks,

Kevin

417

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Early Early Alpha

« Last post by kfitting on August 16, 2005, 04:57 PM »

I just got an error:

DBISAM Engine Error # 11013 Access denied to table 'ClipHistory'


But it was with an old version.  I went to download the new version using the link from the Alpha thread but it appears to be broken.  Any suggestions?

kevin

418

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: some surprises

« Last post by kfitting on August 16, 2005, 08:44 AM »

We had already discussed a "copy with options" hotkey.  Why not make one of the options a join command?  Clicking the option would allow you to choose a clip to append the current clip to (with n blank or user-defined lines).  I may be misunderstanding your flow, but it seems a tad cumbersome. 

I can see having some form of your workflow in place in case people dont realize they want to combine when they copy.  Perhaps both methods would be nice?  One extra thing, it may be nice to have an option regarding sort order on join (ie, maybe you dont want the first clip to be first).  However, too many options can become unwieldy! 

Kevin

419

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Question for Quick Pasters..

« Last post by kfitting on August 15, 2005, 05:00 PM »

I go both ways on this question.  One point that I feel supports a more full featured popup is the fact that CHS captures EVERYTHING that is copied.  To make good use of this a search feature could be real handy, even for quick pasting.  But, like I said, I think either will do...

Kevin

420

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Request: paste special clips like DATE or randome quote

« Last post by kfitting on August 15, 2005, 09:33 AM »

Sounds to me like stefan wants something like a text replacement utility only this would use the clipboard.  Stefan, if I understand correctly, you want to be able to have a menu come up with date and time fields to insert into the current application?  Mouser, I think this is equivalent to having personal clipsets in Clipomatic.  If I've misunderstood, sorry!

Kevin

421

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Programming Question...

« Last post by kfitting on August 11, 2005, 12:21 PM »

This is perfect.  Not that it will be easy, but this is an excellant way to do this.  I especially like it because it allows for the notes idea (a gray area as we talked about) but doesnt force it on people.  I'm assuming you'll be able to have multiple plugins running at the same time from the same CHS shell??  Awesome solution to this problem!!

Kevin

422

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Programming Question...

« Last post by kfitting on August 11, 2005, 11:20 AM »

Maybe one way to do it would be to have two different programs.  One for databases and one for clipboard.  THe database program could combine the clipboard functionality (I'm assuming that people who want a database will better understand the combined idea).  Both programs would look identical, but the options would be different, etc.  

In essence, this idea functions like the government: Tell people one thing and do another.  While you market the two programs as seperate ideas, they really are the same thing underneath.  It's just to keep people from having to use their brains.  (Perhaps I've been working for the government too long!)

Kevin

PS - after having read your latest post, plugins may be the best way to go.  In fact, I like it a lot.  People who want a custom todo list can take the time and make their own database for it.  THose who need an idea to start with or just want to plug and play would be able to do so.... I LIKE it!!

423

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Question for Quick Pasters..

« Last post by kfitting on August 11, 2005, 11:03 AM »

I figured the quick-search would be in there... just making sure ! 

Kevin

424

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Programming Question...

« Last post by kfitting on August 11, 2005, 11:02 AM »

One caveat I've been thinking about with regard to CHS and database functionality.  There should be an extremely user friendly way to tell the program "I want a clipboard extender" or "I want a database program."  The reason I say this is that many people arent experienced power users (if that isnt an oxy-moron) and may want to download a clipboard extender.  But, when they open the program they get blindsided by all this database stuff. THe reverse is also a possiblity.  In other words, somehing simple, like a three option radio button series, that allowed the user to JUST use clipboard functionality, JUST use database functionality, or the combination. 

THis may be overkill I realize, but I've looked at other programs for a specific function and even though I could turn all the others off, the complexity involved made me give up in disgust (AutoHotkey was one for a while, though I use it now... back then I just wanted a simple hotkey program, but AutoHotkey is so much more powerful it confused me!).

One more thought: with all this customizability one of the MOST important aspects of CHS' gui is going to be the options dialog.  Right now it's ok for just a clipboard extender, though even there it's a tad cluttered.  When (or if) you go to more generic database structure, the options are going to grow and become confusing for those who just want one or the other.  It's going to take a lot of work!

Kevin

425

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Question for Quick Pasters..

« Last post by kfitting on August 11, 2005, 10:54 AM »

It's worth a look-see.  The major complaint I would have is the time needed to bring the window up.  If it's fast, it should work fine.  One further thing is keyboard control.  Could this be made so that you could hit the hotkey, choose clips with the up/down arrows and hit enter to paste the clip?

Other than these two things, I think it's a reasonable idea.  Once you get the base functionality there we can work on the quick/paste workflow.  One thing that would be kind of cool, and it's probably already there, is if the quick-find would be available from this view.  Perhaps you could choose to display only a certain number of clips (ie the 10 or 30 most recent clips), but if you used quick-find it would search through ALL clips.  This way you could choose to be overwhelmed or not.  BUt, this last idea is very very very trivial. 

Kevin