|
Tags/Links
yubnub I Windows_7_shortcuts I Windows_7_hotkey I Slickrun I Run_Commands I Gleebox I Firefox_shortcuts I Keyboard_Hotkeys
![[image loading]](http://www.luxurylaunches.com/entry_images/0308/26/von-slatt-original-keyboard_1-thumb-450x342.jpg)
Description: This guide combines different programs and plug-ins to achieve better keyboard usage. Disclaimer+ Show Spoiler +For using most of this guide you probably need to use either Windows or Firefox/Chrome. A few things will be unique for Windows 7/possibly Vista.
The tools I use to achieve mouse less computer usage is my preferred choices and it's definitely not written in stone I try and find better methods all the time. My taste and choices might not be for everyone and you can of course replace whatever you want.
The sections about Windows hot keys is mostly for giving an idea that it's possible to use keyboard only and I do not cover in dept. No flaming or trolling towards this topic please. Thank you for reading. Why not use the mouse? I use my mouse all the time. I don't want you to unplug it and throw it away. However, everyone who's played some Starcraft probably knows the strength that lies in hotkeys. the time required to rapidly move to a target area is a function of the distance to and the size of the target. If you play starcraft and have to move across the terrain to select one building this obviously take time. This applies to computers in general. Hotkeys are fast and ergonomic. Linux have numberous and better solutions, right?Yes probably. Linux is really good... I like windows though  Are all the things you link to free from viruses and whatnot?Yes. But don't trust me, trust your common sense and your anti-virus program(s).
Mouse less computer usage
THE TOOLSET:
Slickrun - the slick way to run stuff
+ Show Spoiler +Alternatives: run(ctrl+r), Launchy, moreThis is basically a better version of run. I think quite many use win+r to start mspaint or calc. I use it to start almost everything. Every command available using run is also available in Slickrun. Where slickrun appears and also how is very customizable. Adding new keywords to slickrun is very slick and easy. Don't remove your icons and shortcuts from the taskbar, you need them when you have one hand busy (on the phone, eating w/e). but I use slickrun 9/10 times when I start something. Note that You can add shortcuts to folders as well so navigating and starting stuff is basically covered by this tool. Use example:PIC: + Show Spoiler +(click on it twice for full size) I simply press my hotkey for slickrun (ctrl+r) type ww, now slickrun automatically suggest wwc3. As you can see in the details of that keyword it's a command that starts wc3 in windowed mode - Something I use a lot. If I type wc3 it would start wc3 normally (separate keyword). Note that you can also select if you want it to start minimized etc. If you want slickrun to take over ctrl+r (recommended) then shut slickrun down, go to slickrun.ini and edit the field "GrabWinR=0" and replace 0 with 1. The ini file is located here for me "C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\SlickRun\SlickRun.ini" you can search for it. If you are currently running something and what to start it with a keyword next time then drag and drop the dropper to that particular application. (The dropper is the green sword-look-alike thing at the screen shot above) Lastly I will just recommend anyone that tries this program to try the visual settings
General Windows shortcuts
+ Show Spoiler +The most important skill toi have is these basic shortcuts. (many listed here: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=83736) However I only use a fraction of those. The key is, every time you grab the mouse, think of what hotkey you would need instead and learn it. A few basic examples is using backspace, arrows(with alt in folders) and tab to navigate in windows. Win+tab, alt+tab, win+d (and then arrow keys) are vital parts if this. Another very important puzzle piece is win+ type anything. Since vista and windows 7 indexes it's very useful to just press win and then type whatever you want. And if you keep your start menu clean itself can be useful simply by using win+arrows. When your typing Shift+arrows/shift or the super nice combo Shift+Home/End lets you mark easily, note that control adds extra functionality to these hotkeys. Home is probably the second most underused key (win probably being #1). Many of these hot keys apply when using text editors and web browsers as well.
Windows 7 shortcuts
+ Show Spoiler +These are just very sweet. Study them carefully.
Win+space (peaks at desktop), win+1 (launches a new instance of first taskbar shortcut. win+2 the next one to the right etc.
win+b focuses the system tray icons - one of the key features that makes my mouse collect dust. Basically - there is a ton of new stuff. Read up and learn!
Browsing using Firefox shortcuts
+ Show Spoiler +Now we are finally getting some were. I think much of this applies to Chrome and other browsers. Mozilla has a lot of useful shortcuts. The most basic ones being alt+d to focus the address bar and ctrl+t/w to make/close tabs, ctrl+f to search and ctrl+tab to navigate between tabs.
This actually covers most of the use scenarios - at least for me. Alt is useful sometimes when I want to navigate to History or Tools - Addons. These and the other Mozilla shortcuts you need are small but vital parts of being able to browse with (almost) no mouse. Yes - I must admit there's a few things that are still complicated - BUT I will figure those out. Anyways, say you just entered teamliquid and you want to check out one of the articles at the first page. That would require like 20 tabs... Pretty lame.
Also what if you want to do a TLPD search, that's also like 30 tabs. To this problem I want to introduce the final puzzle piece - Gleebox.
The Firefox/Chrome plug-in Gleebox.<---Boring topic ? Before you give up read this
+ Show Spoiler +
Alternatives: Vimpernator
This a greaat plug-in. Watch the vids at it's website for an introduction. You basically press G and then type commands. There's a few very useful ones - for example "??" tabs between input fields, "?img" between images etc etc. Suddenly you can browse around very fast using your keyboard! Want to edit your post? press g and type edit. Very intuitive and strong functionality.
There's also very cool things like !shorten that shortens the url you currently are at. But this is just the beginning. All the yubnub commands work. 2008 yubnub had 22k+ commands and you can make your own.
For example ":gim teamliquid" will google image search for teamliquid. This plug-in was indeed the final puzzle piece and since it's still in it's infant stages I'm sure it will only get better. For user manual type !manual. Go to yubnub to learn commands: One of my favorites so far is "s.i:" Try "s.i: humans" for example! =)
Final Words
+ Show Spoiler +Hopefully you liked this guide and have the will to start using your keyboard more=> if you find any cool yubnub commands or other please comment. Thanks for reading
|
good skill toi have indeed
|
|
|
Vimperator is the only reason I *must* use Firefox.
The rest of this is built into half the linux window managers out there. See DWM, WMII, Awesome, Subtle, StumpWM, Ion, Ratpoison, XMonad, etc etc etc.
|
sounds good. kinda like memorizing hotkeys for sc.
|
mouseless computing, meh, post again when you have something like Mouseless Starcraft Then i'll be impressed.
|
Cool stuff! Yeah I want mouseless Starcraft  That means you'll be able to play SC on a ipad? LOL
|
I can manage without mouse, but why would I want to? O.o
|
Using my mouse improves my micro.
Nuff said.
|
Oh, I thought this would be tips on how to use that stupid pad thing... I already use shortcuts since I don't like scanning thru folders. Every program I use has a shortcut in win32. For browsing files (and internet) I hold alt and use arrow keys. That's about all you need to know to make the mouse useless outside of games.
|
|
|
Very nice
I tried some more windows7 shortcuts, I find win + x incredibly useful
win + d is also nice, like it better than win + space
|
One of the FF key commands I use daily since I heard of it.
ctrl+shift+T
Open the last closed tab, in case you closed one by mistake.
|
On February 28 2010 23:45 miseiler wrote:
Vimperator is the only reason I *must* use Firefox.
The rest of this is built into half the linux window managers out there. See DWM, WMII, Awesome, Subtle, StumpWM, Ion, Ratpoison, XMonad, etc etc etc.
Yes. Linux is sweet. Vimpernator is sweet. But it does not appeal to everyone
On March 01 2010 00:07 Piste wrote:
I can manage without mouse, but why would I want to? O.o
Adressed in the OP under FAQ.
On March 01 2010 00:16 Chef wrote:
Oh, I thought this would be tips on how to use that stupid pad thing... I already use shortcuts since I don't like scanning thru folders. Every program I use has a shortcut in win32. For browsing files (and internet) I hold alt and use arrow keys. That's about all you need to know to make the mouse useless outside of games.
I prefer slickrun to run/x32 since it's basically the same thing except alot of extra functionality. Backing up the hotkeys is one file, easier to add/change keywords, can choose to start minimized etc etc. You can tweak it so your current added shortcuts work with slickrun (forgot how though).
Not sure how you use arrows in the browser? Please clarify this!
On March 01 2010 00:29 7mk wrote:
Very nice
I tried some more windows7 shortcuts, I find win + x incredibly useful
win + d is also nice, like it better than win + space
Yes, win + space is not for me either, just mentioned it because it's new while win+d is present in XP.
|
What's wrong with the mouse, NOTHING. It makes SC possible and you try to replace it?!?!?! >_<
|
Hahaha, back when I used to live with my parents and suffer from insomnia I would stay up all night playing MUDS. My parents thought if they took away the mouse it would prevent me from doing anything but at that point I already knew how to do everything with a keyboard.
For web browsing I use a mouse a lot though because mouse gestures makes a lot of things really fast.
|
Is there a way to click on a bookmark in firefox using the keyboard?
|
On March 01 2010 01:10 HazMat wrote:
Is there a way to click on a bookmark in firefox using the keyboard?
Alt+B (notice that the B in Bookmarks is underlined which is a clue), then navigate up and down with the cursor keys, then hit enter when you're on the right bookmark.
|
Instead of all that, you could just run Lynx as your browser (preferably from an external shell account). No mouse usage at all!
Edit: Notice how it bypasses the spoiler tags
|
Great guide!
Also, in Firefox, F6 highlights your address, and ctrl-e puts your cursor in the search bar at the top right.
|
On March 01 2010 01:33 Wohmfg wrote:
Great guide!
Also, in Firefox, F6 highlights your address, and ctrl-e puts your cursor in the search bar at the top right.
I'm not comfortable using F keys so I prefer alt+d instead of F6. I mostly use the awesome bar for searching because alt+d is in my muscle memory. To me the search field(ctrl+e) is actually obsolete since with gleebox I can use :gim or :wp etc to search google images/wiki whatnot.
On March 01 2010 01:20 Aim Here wrote:Show nested quote +On March 01 2010 01:10 HazMat wrote:
Is there a way to click on a bookmark in firefox using the keyboard? Alt+B (notice that the B in Bookmarks is underlined which is a clue), then navigate up and down with the cursor keys, then hit enter when you're on the right bookmark.
Yeah alt focuses the menus and from there you either use letters (in this case B) or cursor key. I use letters all the way. For example if I want addons I press:
Alt+T release and then A. Bookmarks is something I don't use much due to the awesome bar.
On March 01 2010 01:59 MindCrusher wrote:I use Everything in combination with the launcher ( Launchy). Everything indexes your files very fast and I almost don't care where my files are stored on the HDD as they are just a search away( I use CTRL+ Space to launch Everything and ALT + Space for Launchy) .
Have not tried everything, will try
|
I use Everything in combination with the launcher (Launchy). Everything indexes your files very fast and I almost don't care where my files are stored on the HDD as they are just a search away( I use CTRL+ Space to launch Everything and ALT + Space for Launchy) .
|
On March 01 2010 00:18 flamez[666] wrote:
linux + shell = done
Yeah, this.
Whenever I go back to Windows I'm helpless. Yeah, I don't know the shortcuts... but I can't understand how Windows hasn't gotten around to implementing workspaces yet (they haven't right?). In Linux I have 9 workspaces, browser on 7, IM on 8 and e-mail on 9. Whenever I need something, I just Win+# my way over there. In Windows I'd have to Alt+Tab+Tab+Tab..., and every time I did this, the number of tabs would vary. Uuugh.
Oh and +1 for Vimperator. And Vim, for that matter.
Also, check out Gnome Do.
|
Show nested quote +On March 01 2010 00:16 Chef wrote:
Oh, I thought this would be tips on how to use that stupid pad thing... I already use shortcuts since I don't like scanning thru folders. Every program I use has a shortcut in win32. For browsing files (and internet) I hold alt and use arrow keys. That's about all you need to know to make the mouse useless outside of games. I prefer slickrun to run/x32 since it's basically the same thing except alot of extra functionality. Backing up the hotkeys is one file, easier to add/change keywords, can choose to start minimized etc etc. You can tweak it so your current added shortcuts work with slickrun (forgot how though). Not sure how you use arrows in the browser? Please clarify this!
I like run because it comes with windows... I don't know what extra functionality you need lol. I don't really like to have unnecessary programs running in the background anyway, since my computer doesn't have much RAM and I use it to encode videos a lot so extra processes would make that take more time.
Hold alt. Press left arrow key, you go 'back' to where you were before. Press right arrow key, you go forward. Backspace is the same as 'up one level.' Enter obviously enters a folder or executes a file. Alphanumeric keys will move you files that start with that character (first in order of folders, then in order of files) and from there you can just use arrow keys to very quickly get to the file you want to open. Windowkey + E to start window browser... etc etc etc. F2 is very nice for renaming files. Apart from that I don't really use other shortcuts very often, except for ones I've created for Run
|
In Windows you can use stuff like FreeCommander or TotalCommander to browse/manage your files easily without mouse. And the additional functionality they provide (ftp for example) is worth more than any number of "quicklaunchers".
Just to name a few:
Main features in FreeCommander:
* Dual-panel technology - horizontal and vertical
* Tabbed interface
* Optional tree view for each panel
* Built in file viewer to view files in hex, binary, text or image format
* File viewer inside archives too
* Built in archive handling: ZIP (read, write), CAB (read, write), RAR (read)
* Nested archive handling
* Built in FTP client
* Easy access to system folders, control panel, desktop and start menu
* Copy, move, delete, rename files and folders
* Multi rename tool
* Wipe files
* Create and verify MD5 checksums
* File splitting
* File properties and context menu
* Calculation of folder size
* Folder comparison / synchronization
* Modification of file date and attributes
* Folder / program favorites
* File searching (inside archive too)
* File filters for display
* User defined columns for detailed view
* DOS command line
* Multiple language support
|
On March 01 2010 01:20 Aim Here wrote:Show nested quote +On March 01 2010 01:10 HazMat wrote:
Is there a way to click on a bookmark in firefox using the keyboard? Alt+B (notice that the B in Bookmarks is underlined which is a clue), then navigate up and down with the cursor keys, then hit enter when you're on the right bookmark.
Meant those bookmarks (That's what I call them)
The ones that say Facebook, teamliquid etc.. And you just click on them.
|
On March 01 2010 03:33 Chef wrote:
I like run because it comes with windows... I don't know what extra functionality you need lol. I don't really like to have unnecessary programs running in the background anyway, since my computer doesn't have much RAM and I use it to encode videos a lot so extra processes would make that take more time.
Run is great indeed I've posted here numerous times telling people how good making custom shortcuts and using run is. I also wrote a program in java that added "add to run" as a choice when you right click. When you pressed that it automatically made a .url file(learning how to make .lnk files was to much work :p) inside %SystemRoot%system32 pointing towards that program and you got an inputfield asking for the shortcuts name.
But one day I wanted a better overview of all my shortcuts, easier remove/edit/backup/add (for example the command "Setup") Not saying it's a revolutionary change, goes quickly to put shortcuts into system32 but for me it's definitely easier now. With slickrun I got that and a few other things I really like.
Jot - opens a textarea. you can drag and drop any text or type anything here. The best "sticky note" kind of fuction I've ever encountered.
Multiwords - One word that executes many commands.
Browse magic words - You can right click and overview your magicwords and select one. Useful when I forget what to type lol.
Close a process - Theres a kill.exe plugin to slickrun that takes a process name as a parameter, basically I can type "kill utorrent" in slickrun and it shuts down utorrent.
Hold alt. Press left arrow key, you go 'back' to where you were before. Press right arrow key, you go forward. Backspace is the same as 'up one level.' Enter obviously enters a folder or executes a file. Alphanumeric keys will move you files that start with that character (first in order of folders, then in order of files) and from there you can just use arrow keys to very quickly get to the file you want to open. Windowkey + E to start window browser... etc etc etc. F2 is very nice for renaming files. Apart from that I don't really use other shortcuts very often, except for ones I've created for Run
Yeah those are all good things I use most of them. But it's not everything you need, it only helps you navigate to different website, but to, for example navigate into a specific topic and then the last page of that topic and then into the text area so you can post you need an addon like gleebox.
On March 01 2010 04:06 Manit0u wrote:In Windows you can use stuff like FreeCommander or TotalCommander to browse/manage your files easily without mouse. And the additional functionality they provide (ftp for example) is worth more than any number of "quicklaunchers". Just to name a few: Show nested quote +Main features in FreeCommander: * Dual-panel technology - horizontal and vertical
* Tabbed interface
* Optional tree view for each panel
* Built in file viewer to view files in hex, binary, text or image format
* File viewer inside archives too
* Built in archive handling: ZIP (read, write), CAB (read, write), RAR (read)
* Nested archive handling
* Built in FTP client
* Easy access to system folders, control panel, desktop and start menu
* Copy, move, delete, rename files and folders
* Multi rename tool
* Wipe files
* Create and verify MD5 checksums
* File splitting
* File properties and context menu
* Calculation of folder size
* Folder comparison / synchronization
* Modification of file date and attributes
* Folder / program favorites
* File searching (inside archive too)
* File filters for display
* User defined columns for detailed view
* DOS command line
* Multiple language support
I really like the windows GUI and I try to use it as much as possible since at work, at others computers etc I'm bound to it anyways. But I admit such programs definitely has their charm and I will definitely look into one of those because the file transfer protocol in windows is bad.
On March 01 2010 04:25 HazMat wrote:Meant those bookmarks (That's what I call them) The ones that say Facebook, teamliquid etc.. And you just click on them.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10127
The closest inbuilt is adding keywords. If you ad keyword "fb" to your facebook bookmark and you typ fb into the awesome bar it will open fb.
|
|
|
I run vista on my laptop, the thing I hate the most of it is that ctrl+alt+del does not bring up the task manager. I was using windows+r with taskmgr for quick access, but it didn't feel right. I recently discovered that ctrl+alt+esc ALSO brings the task manager, which makes me so happy :D
|
I love you, i actually got frustrated that the computer isn't setup like SC XD Im gonna use this XD
|
On February 28 2010 22:58 lavion wrote:
good skill toi have indeed
i laffed
|
On February 28 2010 22:55 Patriot.dlk wrote:
Windows 7 shortcuts
These are just very sweet. Study them carefully.
Win+space (peaks at desktop), win+1 (launches a new instance of first taskbar shortcut. win+2 the next one to the right etc.
win+b focuses the system tray icons - one of the key features that makes my mouse collect dust. Basically - there is a ton of new stuff. Read up and learn!
Thanks for the OP! I am a big fan of not using the mouse. But what does Win-B do? I tried it a couple times and can't figure it out. I also tried googling it without any results.
On March 01 2010 06:37 gaizka wrote:
I run vista on my laptop, the thing I hate the most of it is that ctrl+alt+del does not bring up the task manager. I was using windows+r with taskmgr for quick access, but it didn't feel right. I recently discovered that ctrl+alt+esc ALSO brings the task manager, which makes me so happy :D
I am running Win 7, and I also had the same complaint. But on Win7, it's ctrl-shift-esc, not alt. Don't know if vista is different from 7 in this regard.
|
great guide on firefox, thanks
|
Wow.. Really good.. Usually i just remember Cntrl-L for keying into the address bar, since it applies to most browsers.. I think i need to practice on being mouseless, since i afraid that my mouse may die on me anytime soon (dropped it yesterday, and it's getting a little cranky.. Havent got the money for a good new mouse)
|
Executor is basically an updated slickrun with more features and less crashing
|
On March 01 2010 13:25 ynk wrote:
Thanks for the OP! I am a big fan of not using the mouse. But what does Win-B do? I tried it a couple times and can't figure it out. I also tried googling it without any results.
It focuses the system tray (you know down by the clock) so you can use the cursor keys down there.
On March 01 2010 13:48 StayFrosty wrote:
great guide on firefox, thanks
Actually I covered it very briefly but no problem =) And to all other appreciations and contributions thanks!!!
On March 02 2010 04:19 b0lt wrote:Executor is basically an updated slickrun with more features and less crashing
Never got around to checking it out back when I decided to find such an app all though I remember reading about it. It's actually listed as an alternative under "more" Gonna check it out for sure. One thing though, you grabbed "less crashing" out of your arse for all I know it never crashes.
|
I'm more interested at the golden keyboard more than the guide itself.
WHERE CAN I GET ONE!?
|
I use xmonad and vimperator with linux at work. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
I can browse really fast and manipulate my entire desktop and all windows without issue. The only thing that doesn't work well with this desktop is my windows virtualbox (required for outlook and office), which doesn't work well for obvious reasons.
I'm skeptical about how well windows can emulate this functionality, but I bet it can get pretty close.
|
Russian Federation4235 Posts
|
About 5 years ago I spent like 8 months using only the keyboard. I learned a lot of random things. There was a lot of pressing tab and space, haha
|
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=83736 is EXTREMELY useful. Everyone should be checking it out. Particularly for word processing, shift+end and shift+movearrow is very helpful. Also, windowskey + e is very very convenient.
I spent about 15 minutes experimenting with all the combination's there, at one point microsoft sam popped in for an appearance haha.
|
With the Opera browser you can browse almost completely mouseless.
When you hold down shift and press the arrow keys, you get a cursor that moves over all links on a webpage, enter opens the link, ctrl+shift+enter opens the link in a background tab, esc cancels your selection. This works faster on pages with fewer links obviously.
Ctrl+tab switch between tabs, ctrl+w closes tab, ctrl+t opens new tab, F2 opens the address bar. Alt+left/right goes back/forward a page. Scroll with arrow keys, pageup, pagedown, spacebar.
I have also defined different search engine shortcuts, i.e if I write "g starcraft" in the adress bar (F2), I google "starcraft", and if I write "wa 1/(exp(x) - 1)" I'm gonna get the graph for that function from wolframalpha.com
|
[quote]Anyways, say you just entered teamliquid and you want to check out one of the articles at the first page. That would require like 20 tabs... Pretty lame./quote]
I activated the "search what I type" option and just type the name of the article you want to read then press enter and is like if you clicked with the mouse for example when I see the name of this article I typed "Mouse" and it took me to the link, then enter and I am reading it, if there is more than 1 "mouse" you can type more of the name or CTRL+F --> ALT+N to look for the next one... I use a lot the keyboard, also the CTRL + # to move to that tab.
|
On March 02 2010 04:50 Patriot.dlk wrote:
It focuses the system tray (you know down by the clock) so you can use the cursor keys down there.
Oh sweet. You're right, that's actually really helpful. Thanks man!
|
On March 02 2010 04:52 toopham wrote:
I'm more interested at the golden keyboard more than the guide itself.
WHERE CAN I GET ONE!?
read the thread
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT![[image loading]](http://i50.tinypic.com/2vseqzk.jpg)
(click on it twice for full size)![[image loading]](http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3576/55147332.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2268/asdfcs.png)
