DONE - IDEA: timed alt+tab through active windows

[jacques0]

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

[mouser]

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]

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.

[mouser]

ok ill hold off on coding it then until we have a better feeling for whether it exists or not.

[nilness]

AnalogX (www.analogx.com) made the program AutoTab several years ago for The Screen Savers. It may be what you're looking for.

[mouser]

nice work!
nilness found it - that does exactly what you want and is free:

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/autotab.htm

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

[Scott]

Haha, no wonder I couldn't remember where I'd heard of that application!

[jacques0]

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]

you gotta love the quality of people on this forum

[skrommel]

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

Code

;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

[kfitting]

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]

yes i think it would be good to make an exe and host both scritp+exe on the snacks page.

[kfitting]

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:

Code

;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]

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