Better sticky keys?

[PowerRoller]

I want to know if anyone knows of any sticky keys software other than the ones that comes with a windows pc or mac. I want many sticky keys not just the control, alt, delete and shift key. I need one to hold down the space bar.

[Patonb]

Duct tape?

What are you requiring to hold the spacebar for? Knowing this, might help with different ways to do it.

[crppled007]

I need to find a sticky key program that will still be active when a run Madden NFL 08. Because Madden disables the sticky keys in Windows XP, which that just really chaps me.
Cripp

[Patonb]

Ever thought about voice?

I use Voice Buddy to play my games, and can add custom key combo's to commands.

My big peeve is the lack of right click mouse drag.

[PowerRoller]

Duct tape?

What are you requiring to hold the spacebar for? Knowing this, might help with different ways to do it.


I need the space bar to work on photoshop and illustrator. It shouldn't matter which program i'm using it should just work on all programs.

[Patonb]

I need the space bar to work on photoshop and illustrator. It shouldn't matter which program i'm using it should just work on all programs.

No it shouldn't, but if it were for gaming, going voice software would be the better way. And VR isn't the right option for PS.

Have you looked at custum macro programs? I've seen some on downloads.com, that might work. Basically you set up a key combo that does something..

I'll recheck for them.

Look at these..

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=hotkeys&tag=srch

[PowerRoller]

No it shouldn't, but if it were for gaming, going voice software would be the better way. And VR isn't the right option for PS.

Have you looked at custum macro programs? I've seen some on downloads.com, that might work. Basically you set up a key combo that does something..

I'll recheck for them.

Look at these..

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=hotkeys&tag=srch


thanks for the suggestion I tried some of the hot keys but none of them worked.

Does anyone else have any other ideas.

[crppled007]

Ever thought about voice?

I use Voice Buddy to play my games, and can add custom key combo's to commands.

My big peeve is the lack of right click mouse drag.

Oh yes I do use voice buddy and game commander. Madden NFL cuts both of them off, the program is designed to disable any voice software and keyboard software because I've even tried the hotkey shortcut programs, and it disables those to.

Also, here's another one for you. Voice that he does not pick up the game civilizations IV or Madden. That's why I have used game commander ffor civilizations
Cripp

[Patonb]

Cripp, I play Battlefeilds and NWN, but they're both supported.

Ever try Dragon? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

[bob clark]

I mainly combat flight sim Lock On: Modern Air Combat/Flaming Cliffs v.1.12b. To refuel an aircraft you need to hold down the Ctrl+R keys and that's a PITA... it takes about 6 minutes to refuel the Su-25T. So I remapped the keys to Alt+Spacebar and put the handle of a 1 pound clawhammer between the 2 keys and all is well with the world. :) My favorite tool, the Hammer!

For some reason the sim won't allow to me use any keys that I want... I don't know why, but Alt+Spacebar works fine.

I also use a voice recognition program, a free one called Shoot 1.6.4 but can't figure out a way to make it hold down a key, let alone 2 at once. It has PTT (Press To Talk) or it can be written to in effect hold down the PTT key so that the voice recognition is always on. But that seems to be a special function just for the ability to PTT or to have it in the always-open mic mode. It's written in XML so isn't very user friendly.

If it anyone wants to try it or just screw around with it to see if they can kick it into submission, it can be downloaded HERE (http://clans.gameclubcentral.com/shoot/) and read about it. I searched the forums there and no one addresses the issue. You need 2 other free MS programs installed first, MS .NET Framework and the MS' free speech program that are both linked at the Shoot website. Don't use the auto install version... it wouldn't work for me. Just install MS .NET Framework v 1.1 or 2.0 then the MS Speech program. Then open the small, free-standing (doesn't install) Shoot 1.6.4 program. To edit the XML files you can use Peter's XML editor. Just Google for it... click on its Tree button on the bottom left to most easily edit.

The program works great for gaming and flight simming.

Bob.

[Patonb]

Hey bob, Voice buddy does let you do all that... For instance, I say "Bang" it shoots once, so 1 press of the key. But if I say "Fire" It press and holds for 3 seconds. It edits right in the program.

If i can find my .exe I could let you try it.

[crppled007]

Cripp, I play Battlefeilds and NWN, but they're both supported.

Ever try Dragon? Hmmmmmmmmmm.


man the laaaaaggggg that dragon has it's useless. even though 9.5 is a little more responsive, still sucks for gaming.

[bob clark]

Hey bob, Voice buddy does let you do all that... For instance, I say "Bang" it shoots once, so 1 press of the key. But if I say "Fire" It press and holds for 3 seconds. It edits right in the program.

If i can find my .exe I could let you try it.

Hi Paton,

I just tried screwing around with my Lock On: Modern Air Combat XML profile and messed it up a bit. It no longer loads! I should have made another copy of it just before attempting any edits. Oh well. I had another copy of it (not as up-to-date... but good enough) saved on my other HD so everything is alright... I just have to add a few more voice commands/keystrokes to it. As I learn more about Lock On... it's got a huge learning curve... I add a few more voice commands to my XML profile as I go along.

Actually I was trying to do kinda what you're saying. It can "Hold" with a "press type" statement and then you type in the number of milliseconds. Then I guess to unpress the key you type in a "release type" statement. So I typed in 1,000,000 milliseconds for "press" and 1,000 milliseconds for release but the Peter's XML editor kept giving me error notices. I messed with it for about an hour and gave up. If I understood XML it would probably be an easy thing to do but everything has to be exact... and it has parent and child elements and attributes (whatever the hell they are) etc., etc. so I'm stymied. There is a new "Profile Editor Released (Beta)" that I tried out once before but that seemed just as complicated as editing the XML files manually. :)

I typed 1,000,000 milliseconds just on a hunch that it was around 10 minutes... I need to get a pen and paper or open the MS calculator. Oh, I think it's around 16.66666666 minutes! A bit longer than I needed but within range for experimenting. See what you think about this webpage (http://clans.gameclubcentral.com/shoot/documentation.php). This is what I'm up against. But hey, my hammer works fine. :)

<press> and <release> elements
These elements are used to emulate separate key press or release events. Their syntax is similar to that of the key element:

<press type="key combination" pause="milliseconds"/>

<release type="key combination" pause="milliseconds"/>

Note: make sure that for each press a corresponding release will eventually occur (it doesn't need to be in the same command) to avoid leaving the keyboard in an inconsistent state.

Thanks for the offer of your Voice Buddy exe but Shoot 1.6.4 is all I really need. The program works great... it's just programmimg particular profiles in XML that's difficult... or not "user friendly". And if I really wanted to get into it, that new "Profile Editor Released (Beta)" would probably do the trick if I wanted to read the.... oh no, not THE README FILE! Aghhhhhhhhhhhh....:)

Bob.

[Steven Edwards]

Those are nice programs, Bob and Paton. I'll be giving those a try over the weekend.

Bob, if Shoot works for me, I'll make an easy-to-use XML creator and share it with you. :)

[bob clark]

Those are nice programs, Bob and Paton. I'll be giving those a try over the weekend.

Bob, if Shoot works for me, I'll make an easy-to-use XML creator and share it with you. :)

Hi Steve,

Shoot works great.... not a single complaint from me other than the fact that the profiles are in XML and I know absolutely nothing about that language/program. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the way that it works. I tell it what to do and it does it... instantly. I use rather long command names for certain keystrokes so that if the air conditioner clicks on or I put my beer down too heavily my pilot won't accidentally eject and commands of that importance! Instead of saying "Gear" to toggle the landing gear up or down I have it written "Move Gear". A single syllable can getja into trouble with background noise like the TV or people talking etc.

You can read the many testimonials about it HERE (http://clans.gameclubcentral.com/shoot/). Just scroll down a bit.

But sure, I'll try anything once... or twice. Here's the one that someone already made (http://www.gameclubcentral.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=429&ttitle=Shoot_Profile_Editor_1.5_Beta). Perhaps you could give it a quick once over to see how this guy went about it. Perhaps a little reverse engineering if you need it. I don't know how difficult an easy-to-use XML creator is to write... it's way above my pay grade!

The one linked above is soley for use with the Shoot program.

Thanks,

Bob.

PS. They have a Library (http://clans.gameclubcentral.com/shoot/profilelibrary.php) of pre-made XML profiles for many games at the Shoot website. I just used the Lock On profile more or less as a template and changed/edited it to my liking using Peter's XML Editor.

http://bcee1.home.comcast.net/Lock_On_Peters1.JPG

[Steven Edwards]

Bob, can you use Shoot with any program?

The XML creator will be entirely web-based, as that's easiest. You'll just have to enter the desired file name, add the commands you want, and download the resulting xml file where you want it.

I'm not sure if importing existing profiles to edit/change will be possible, but I don't see it as being too difficult.

Steven

[trainman]

Yes, I'm a railroad nut, hence the name. Sticky keys doesn't work with Microsoft Train Simulator. I also have a truck sim that requires holding down the up arrow (gas) almost constantly.

I found a spare lug nut worked well for weight on my keyboard to hold one key. One of my assistants sewed/knitted (or something, I know nothing on needle work) a mouth stick size hook on it. I find it works well for annoying programs that disable sticky keys or require one to be held.

[bob clark]

Bob, can you use Shoot with any program?

The XML creator will be entirely web-based, as that's easiest. You'll just have to enter the desired file name, add the commands you want, and download the resulting xml file where you want it.

I'm not sure if importing existing profiles to edit/change will be possible, but I don't see it as being too difficult.

Steven

Hi Steve,

As far as I know Shoot will work with any game running in XP. If for some reason there's a problem, just open up the Shoot program AFTER you start the game or sim. Alt-Tab out of the game or sim and then open up Shoot. I had a few problems flying Lock On and using Shoot so had to do that... but I only had 512MBs of system memory installed and Lock On is a resource hog. I now have 2GBs so have no problems at all. There have been some problems using Win98 & ME though... but there are fixes for them. Whether or not it works in Vista I don't know but "probably". I'm sure I can find out if you'd like.

If you want a free "Speech to Text" or "Text to Speech" program that'll work with MS Notepad, MS RichText or MS Word etc., the SAPI 5.1-compatible speech recognition engine from Microsoft as a download (and is needed in order for Shoot to work) is available separately. I'm not sure if you need to have .NET Framework (there are a few versions of it) installed in order for the the MS SAPI 5.1-compatible speech recognition engine to work or not. I don't think that you do. The MS SAPI 5.1-compatible speech recognition engine is the same speech recognition engine that comes with XP Office and maybe even with just MS Word.

I think, along with the MS' Service Pack 2 (SP-2), the .NET Framework v.1.1 program was included. You can check if you have it by going into your XP Control Panel and look in your list of "Add or Remove Programs". I only have version 1.1 installed (along with a security HotFix of course!). There is a fix (edit) for version 2.0 to work with Shoot and I once had it working perfectly but upon reinstalling it for some reason, it screwed up, so I removed it. You need version 2.0 for Paint.NET... not affiliated with MS!) (http://www.getpaint.net/) to run but since I can't figure that program out either, I no longer use it. :) Paint.NET is a free mini-version of PhotoShop... you may want to check it out if you don't have PhotoShop, since PS costs so damn much.

There is a newer version of .NET Framework out (oh goodie!...grrrrrr....) version 3.0.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 (formerly WinFX), is the new managed code programming model for Windows. It combines the power of the .NET Framework 2.0 with new technologies for building applications that have visually compelling user experiences, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and the ability to support a wide range of business processes.


http://bcee1.home.comcast.net/Test_For_Steve2.JPG

As with all or most voice recognition/activation programs, a headset (headphones & mic combined) is recommended. And a USB one at that. I have a non-USB Sennheiser headset that works fine. But I prefer to hear my speakers (Klipsch 5.1 Ultras using a X-Fi Fatal1ty soundcard... they rock) so I use a $10 Logitech uni-directional boom mic that sets on my desk and the setup works great.

I'll have to see if your entirely web-based XML creator will be any easier for me to figure out than the existing Shoot "Profile Editor" or the Paint.NET program. :) Please don't go through a bunch of time and trouble to create the web-based XML creator just for me... I'm getting along fine. Me and my HAMMER! Refueling is the only feature in Lock On that requires the holding down of any keys for longer than a simple keystroke or keystroke combination. And most aircraft refuel in about a minute... it's just the Su-25 and Su-25T that take so damn long.

It's funny, after you get spoiled using the Shoot program, you forget what all the keystroke commands are in a sim or game.

Bob.

[darrel]

excuse me but I'm not up to date with these things(computers). could some body give me an Idea of how much a memory card would cost? I'm using a gateway essential with xp up grade, my neighbor(the professional student) has been doing most of the work on this thing getting me set up. being old school and playing with cars, can you make an old computer "a sleeper".?

[bob clark]

excuse me but I'm not up to date with these things(computers). could some body give me an Idea of how much a memory card would cost? I'm using a gateway essential with xp up grade, my neighbor(the professional student) has been doing most of the work on this thing getting me set up. being old school and playing with cars, can you make an old computer "a sleeper".?

Hi Darrel,

I don't know what you mean by "a sleeper" other than it has "potential" with the correct upgrades?

Depending on how much system memory your Gateway Essential has in it, more memory may be the ticket for waking up your old gem. If you upgraded from Win98 or ME you'll need quite a bit more memory to run XP up to its potential. Rule of thumb is that XP takes 150MBs of system memory just to run itself properly. So if you only have 256MBs installed in your Gateway, that's only leaving you with 106MBs to run any other program(s) with. And most programs or games need a LOT more than that. So your computer is slowing down accessing its "Virtual RAM" or "Paging File". That's just a space on your slow hard drive that Windows uses when it runs out of the much faster system memory. With XP, you should have a minimum of 512MBs of system memory installed. And 1GB is preferred. I had 1GB in my current computer but upgraded to 2GBs because the combat flight simulator that I fly isn't very efficient using memory (it's a resource hog) and adding the extra memory gave me a bit more performance. There's an old saying " You can never have too much system memory (RAM)". :)

But I don't think it's a "memory card" that you want, but more system memory and that comes in "modules". It's simple to install so not to worry. Just make sure your computer is turned off first and the module you're removing has cooled down.

If you download the free Belarc Advisor (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html) it will tell you how much system memory you have installed but more importantly what motherboard you have so you'll know exactly what type of memory to buy, if you should decide to go that route.

Memory is cheap these days. You can buy a 512MB module for about $25. I like my memory to be matched (Never mix, never worry!) but that's not very important unless you're running Dual Channel memory and/or you want to get the very best gaming results from your computer. But I'm talking about a very small amount of difference that most people would only buy to have "bragging rights" to a few additional Frames Per Second or an additional 300 3D Marks.

Personally, I would open the computer case and find the make, model, speed and part number on the memory module that's in there and match it that way. But depending on how many memory slots your motherboard has, you may want to just toss the old 256MB memory module in a drawer (it's only worth $5-$10) and buy a new pair of matched 512MB memory modules. It's up to you. That's is if you only have a single 256MB memory module or 2 - 128MB memory modules in there. Or just add another 256MB or 512MB memory module in there to save money.

You can also go to Crucial (http://www.crucial.com/) and run their online memory scanner (Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool) and it will tell you what type of memory will work in your system. You may not want to buy from them because they may be a bit more expensive but I've bought from them before. They're usually competitive. They're also a big outfit and guarantee satisfaction.

You can also run their "Crucial System Scanner tool" to find out what's inside your computer (kinda like the Belarc Advisor) but they'll recommend upgrades that you can do to get more performance outta your Gateway. Just remember, they make their money selling stuff!!! :)

If it is a "memory card" that you want then maybe someone else can help you with that. I think they're for digital cameras and such things.

If you're lacking in system memory you'll definitely notice a difference with an upgrade increase. And formatting your hard drive and clean installing XP is the next best thing to do. And that's free. Also, clean-up your hard drive and "Defragment" it once a week or so. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Clean Up. Follow the instructions. When that's complete, then Defragment it.

You may want to set a System Restore Point first... just in case. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore then tick the "Create a restore point" button. Give it a name... any name. That way, if anything should go wrong with the clean-up or defrag, you can easily go back to the point in time just before you did those operations.

Good luck,

Bob.

PS. "being old school and playing with cars". I'm 8 years older than you. I remember being able to set the gap of a spark plug with a match pack and doing the same with the points. And using the striker pad from the match pack to file them both clean with! Ah, the good ol' dayz! Now it's a week to get an appointment, a 2 day stay at the dealership and $500 for a damn computerized tune-up. :)

[Patonb]

Geez Bob... I set up a whole new thread for him...

[bob clark]

Geez Bob... I set up a whole new thread for him...

Hi Paton,

How dare you put the brakes on another Bob instigated thread highjacking! :)

I just noticed the new thread you created. That's the way it's SUPPOSED to be done.

Bob.

[Patonb]

Yha yha Bobbie, WHATever!

Here's Voice Buddies command editor. See the highlighted one, So much easier..

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Patonb/vb.jpg

[Steven Edwards]

I'll have to see if your entirely web-based XML creator will be any easier for me to figure out than the existing Shoot "Profile Editor" or the Paint.NET program. :) Please don't go through a bunch of time and trouble to create the web-based XML creator just for me...

Bob. Alrighty, but if I find Shoot useful, I'll go through the effort for me. :)