yubnub I Windows_7_shortcuts I Windows_7_hotkey I Slickrun I Run_Commands I Gleebox I Firefox_shortcuts I Keyboard_Hotkeys
Description:
This guide combines different programs and plug-ins to achieve better keyboard usage.
Disclaimer
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FAQ
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Mouse less computer usage
This guide combines different programs and plug-ins to achieve better keyboard usage.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
FAQ
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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).
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
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Alternatives: run(ctrl+r), Launchy, more
This 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
This 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 +
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
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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.
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
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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!
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
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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.
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
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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
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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