Custom Paper Keyboards

Martin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:20:41 +0000

Flippress is a German startup that is currently in the process of creating a website that will allow everyone to create their own customized paper keyboards which can be used as any normal keyboard on the market with the difference that it is completely made of paper.

To get into more detail: The paper keyboard consists of three layers of paper. Conducting paths are printed on the top and bottom paper while the middle paper separates the other two. The middle paper has holes that connect the two other papers when a key is pressed which basically has the effect that the signal is send to the computer.

The paper keyboards use the Open Source software Autohotkey to define and change the keyboard shortcuts. This means you do not purchase a normal keyboard which you can use to type but a specialized keyboard.

Autohotkey is however not the only possibility to use the paper keyboard. Using an USB Adapter would be another solution, softwares that have the support build in and self created scripts that interpretate the keys presses two other possibilities.

This means that the paper keyboards should be plattform independent.

Flippress (German)

Tags: autohotkey, Gadgets, keyboards, paper keyboards

Nifty Windows

Martin — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:58:46 +0000

Nifty Windows is a compilation of dozens of Autohotkey scripts in one application that are all aimed at providing the user with a better way of interacting with windows. The compilation offers 28 new ways to interact with the user interface of Windows by using either hotkeys or the mouse.

Let me give you some examples to make this clearer. After installing Nifty Windows you may minimize a folder or application by clicking the left and right mouse button. The right and middle button would close a window while the Windows key plus the mouse wheel would change the transparency level of a window.

The real beauty is that you only need to download the Nifty Windows application and start it to have access to all 28 features of it. Let me give you an overview of all features that are accessible. The developer of the application describes them as well on his website.

CTRL+ALT + BACKSPACE – removes all visual effects that have been created with Nifty Windows
RIGHT BUTTON + DRAG – Drag and resize windows
RIGHT BUTTON+LEFT BUTTON – Minimize Window to the taskbar if possible
CTRL + WIN + R – unrolls all Windows
RIGHT BUTTON + MIDDLE BUTTON – closes a window if possible
RIGHT BUTTON + WHEEL – switches tasks just like alt tab
MIDDLE BUTTON – double click
FOURTH BUTTON – toggles start menu
FIFTH BUTTON – maximize window
WIN + 0..9 – opens or closes the tray of a CD or DVD drive
PAUSE – toggles muteness of the audio card
WIN + S – starts the screensaver
WIN + LEFT BUTTON – toggles the always on top attribute
CTRL + WIN + ^ – removes any always on top attribute
WIN + WHEEL – changes the transparency level of a window
WIN + CTRL + LEFT BUTTON – offers pixel transparency
WIN + CTRL + MIDDLE BUTTON – combines transparency and pixel transparency
WIN + MIDDLE BUTTON – removes any transparency effect of the current window
CTRL + WIN + T – removes any transparency effect
ALT + WHEEL – changes the size of the window in ten percent steps
ALT + NumAdd, ALT+NumSub – changes the size of a window in steps of standard screen resolutions.
WIN+F1..F24 – Activates the next window in a process window group
WIN + ESC – enable or disable all Nifty Windows hotkey and mouse features
WIN + X – exits Nifty Windows
CTRL + SHIFT + B – toggles the visibility of the Miranda Buddy list
CTRL + SHIFT + U – toggles the visibility of the last used message container

Tags: autohotkey, nifty windows, windows tips

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Custom Paper Keyboards

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