Program to use custom keystrokes, to answer common questions

[SkaGoat]

A listener wrote an e-mail on the E-mail show on 02/15/12 asking for a program to answer frequently asked questions on the boards.

Basically you set it up so you make simple, easy to remember abbreviations for commonly used text strings. for example your e-mail address. But you can have it write out a whole letter, it'll even put your cursor in a specific spot. (Great for people who like to use HTML code or tags)

There are two (depending on Mac or PC) that might work.

TextExpander for Mac

and Breevy for PC.

I highly recommend TextExpander, I have never used Breevy (have a Mac) but have heard lots of great things.

 

[kaligal]

I have this kind of thing at work and LOVE it. Someone else did it, though.

I just typed things I say all the time out and they got saved. I pick them from a pull down menu and the paragraphs magically appear.

It's great. Frequently, I find computers at work to be nothing but duplicate work that sucks time out of my life. But THAT is a BIG help. I love it!!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have about 80 "stock" answers and/or comments related to Disney which I use on DisBoards and other Disney-related discussion boards.

Rather than spend money on a program, and having to remember exactly what the abbreviations are, I have all of these as text documents in one directory.

When I first want to use one of them I will open Notepad and call up that directory. All I have to do is click on the full name of the file to call it up, do a <CTRL-A> to block it, a <CTRL-C> to copy it to the clipboard, and then go to the Quick Reply box and do a <CTRL-V> to paste it in. At that time, if necessary, I will make any minor changes to customize it for the specific question I am answering.

And these range in size from a couple of sentences, such as defining ticket upgrades, to 30 or 40 pages referring people to specific parts of the Tickets sticky or a comprehensive explanation of the way park hopper and WPF&M tickets work.

And these files have control codes built in so sometimes there will be colors, size adjustments, bolding, etc.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

"cut n paste" *snickers*

 

[Justin Jett]

"cut n paste" *snickers*

The man just oozes Genius!

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks SKAGoat. I was the one that wrote in. I'll have to take a look at text expander.

Right now I do use the cut and paste method. I keep some standard answers in a text file. It works OK, but I was looking for a way to avoid switching from my browser to my word processor, copy, the switch back to the browser and paste.

Also had a thought that Animator on my Mac might be something to look into. I'll have to do some more research.

 

[doconeill]

There are some plugins for Firefox (if that is what you are using, others may have similar plugins) that could also do it - search for "macros" - but some of the ones I've seen are pretty complicated and can do things like mouse clicks, etc.

 

[OKW Lover]

There are some plugins for Firefox (if that is what you are using, others may have similar plugins) that could also do it - search for "macros" - but some of the ones I've seen are pretty complicated and can do things like mouse clicks, etc.

Thanks Doc. I sometimes use Firefox as well so I'll check for that.

 

[tjevans]

On the Mac, text expander, type it 4 me, typinator.

PC: (I think it's called) quick words, breezy.

Perform a search for "text expansion" and you may find others.

 

[byerspc]

I agree with the above posts...you just need a text macro program.

Text expander is the big one for the mac.

Not sure for windows....when I did a quick search "Texter" came up but I am not sure how good it is.

 

[mikethedigiartist]

Rather than spend money on a program, and having to remember exactly what the abbreviations are, I have all of these as text documents in one directory.

To take this one step further you could use a note management application to organize your text files, existing or new, and access using only the keyboard. Notational Velocity is a great app for the mac and it is free.