IDEA: focus get (and keep, for a while)

[bft_chromeguy]

Hi everyppl,

I know this idea is floating around on the boards but I haven't been able to get it working properly.

Basically, I have 2 text windows open - one I want to type into all the time, and one I want to type in for short periods of time.
EG: Dreamweaver and an IM chat.

I want to be able to have the main window (dreamweaver) under focus by default, but I want to be able to click in the chatbox (or any other) and for as long as I am typing there it keeps focus. After an extended period of non-activity (eg, no more typing, say, 5~8 seconds) I want to switch back to the main window (returning to work)

The following code almost does what I want, except for the "keep focus while I am typing" part.

Code

#NoEnv ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
SendMode Input ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
#SingleInstance, force
#Persistent
#WinActivateForce
SetTitleMatchMode, 2
Inputbox, name, Program to focus, Type the name of the program to keep in focus:, , 250, 150
if name = ; If nothing is entered for the app name exit script
{
	exitapp
}
Inputbox, time, How long to wait, How long should I wait before reactivating? (milliseconds):, , 250, 150
If time =
{
	time := 5000
}
SetTimer, WatchWindow, %time%
return

WatchWindow:
IfWinActive, %name%
{
	return
}
Else
{
	Sleep 5000
	;some if-key-pressed-reset-sleep-timer code
	WinActivate, %name%
}
Return

Thanks in advance

[TucknDar]

Not much help from me, but just wanted to say that this sounds like an excellent idea

[justice]

I didn't really delve to deep into your script because it seemed very specific. To keep focus on a certain window:

Code: (autohotkey)

SetTitleMatchMode, 2
Win = AutoHotkey Help
Loop,
{
	IfWinNotActive, %win%
		WinActivate, %win%
	Sleep 200
}

Maybe that will help. Change Win and Sleep where appropriate.

[justice]

Even better:

Code: (authotkey)

SetTitleMatchMode, 2
Win = AutoHotkey Help

WorkItBaby:
WinWaitNotActive, %Win%
		WinActivate, %win%
return
Gosub, WorkItBaby

[bft_chromeguy]

hi justice,
your function WorkItBaby is the same as the one in there already WatchWindow. It is already returning focus after the timeout (5 sec)
What I really want is for the timeout to become reset while I type, effectively allowing the current window to retain focus until I stop typing for a period of time.
Ideally mouse movements would reset the timeout too.

[skrommel]

Try ReFocus!

- Refocuses a window after 5 seconds of inactivity.
- Press F1 to change the window to refocus.

Skrommel

Code

;ReFocus.ahk
; Refocuses a window after 5 seconds of inactivity.
; Press F1 to change the window to refocus.
;Skrommel @ 2008 

idletime=5000
focus:=WinExist("Notepad")

#SingleInstance,Force
#NoEnv
SetWinDelay,0

applicationname=ReFocus

SetTimer,TIMER,1000

TrayTip,%applicationname%,- Refocuses a window after 5 seconds of inactivity.`n- Press F1 to change the window to refocus.
Return

F1::
focus:=WinExist("A")
WinGetActiveTitle,title
TrayTip,%applicationname%,%title%
Return


TIMER:
IfWinNotActive,ahk_id %focus%
If (A_TimeIdlePhysical>idletime)
  WinActivate,ahk_id %focus%
Return

[urlwolf]

And skrommel is back into action!

[bft_chromeguy]

oh wow!! I never knew it would be as easy as "A_TimeIdlePhysical"
I seriously gotta delve into the docs a bit more for AHK...
skrommel, you are my hero