QuicKeys, QuicKeys 2 and DialogKeys are trademarks of CE Software, Inc. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
Welcome to this demonstration version of QuicKeys 2™:
We hope that you enjoy using the QuicKeys 2 demo. This demo will work for 30 days after it is installed. After that time QuicKeys 2 will not load. After the demo expires, any QuicKeys that you created while you were using the demo will work again if you install a full working copy.
Make sure you read the QuicKeys 2 Documentation that is included in both MacWrite II and Word 4.0 formats. Either of these documents give details and examples of using QuicKeys 2 with your Macintosh. If the documentation is missing from your disk, don’t worry, it is included here in abbreviated form.
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GENERAL NOTES:
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Going back to QuicKeys 1.x
When the QuicKeys 2 demo is installed, your old copy of QuicKeys™ is moved into your QuicKeys folder, inside the Preferences folder, within the System Folder. They are there in case you want to downgrade to the old version (for reasons like INIT conflicts, etc.). You may want to delete the earlier versions of QuicKeys and QuickTimer™ to save disk space after you purchase a full working copy of QuicKeys 2.
If you want to go back to the older version of QuicKeys, drag QuicKeys 2 out of the System Folder to the root level of the hard disk and drag the old QuicKeys out of the Preferences folder, but leave it within the System Folder. Restart the computer.
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QuickStart For QuicKeys 2 Demo
The installation for QuicKeys 2™ Demo version is easy if you follow these simple steps. You must have a Macintosh Plus, or later. You must have System 6.0.4 or later installed.
1. Open the QuicKeys 2 Demo folder.
2. Double click on DemoQKInstall.
3. Click the “Install” button. The Macintosh will take a few moments to install or update the software. As DemoQKInstall runs, it displays a series of dialog boxes to let you know its progress.
4. A dialog box appears asking if you wish to restart your Macintosh. Click the “Restart” button. As the Macintosh displays the startup screen, you should see the QuicKeys 2 icon at the bottom of the screen. It disappears once the desktop appears.
5. Pull down the Apple menu and select QuicKeys 2. Use the File, Edit, Define, and Options menus to add, remove and sort different keysets and to configure QuicKeys 2.
Using QuicKeys 2
Think about what you do on your Macintosh. You’ll find yourself doing the same actions over and over. You may change type styles or open the Chooser and select the proper printer. All of that takes time, mouse movements, menu selections and more. What if you could do a whole series of actions with one keystroke or menu selection? Not only could you save time, but it would free your mind from the numbing effects of repetition. QuicKeys 2 takes over the mundane and lets you be more creative.
Note: Throughout the manual, we refer to the program as QuicKeys 2 and use “QuicKey” to refer to an individual task. A “keyset” is a collection of QuicKeys. Each program has its own keyset, and you can copy individual QuicKeys between keysets.
One of the most powerful features of QuicKeys 2 is its ability to watch your actions, create a sequence of QuicKeys, and assign to it a single keystroke. You can then repeat your actions at any time by pressing the keystroke. QuicKeys 2 provides two methods for recording your actions: “Record Sequence” and “Record Real Time.”
When you select “Record Sequence,” QuicKeys 2 converts each of your actions to an appropriate QuicKey. If you record double-clicking on a window’s title bar and dragging it, QuicKeys 2 creates two QuicKeys—one for each action. This makes it possible for you to edit the sequence adding additional actions or pauses.
When you select “Record Real Time,” QuicKeys 2 records each of your actions exactly as you perform them. QuicKeys 2 does not convert your actions into QuicKeys when you make a “Real Time” recording. As a result, you cannot edit it.
Let’s begin by familiarizing ourselves with the different components of the QuicKeys 2 window. If you have installed QuicKeys 2, you will see that the QuicKeys 2 menu item has been added under the Apple menu. CE Toolbox places QuicKeys 2 above the other desk accessories.
The QuicKeys 2 Window
Select “QuicKeys 2…” from the Apple menu to open the QuicKeys 2 window.
Near the top of the panel are the File, Edit, Define, and Options menus. We’ll use these in just a moment. Above the menu bar is a memory indicator which shows the amount of allocated memory QuicKeys 2 is using. If you click on the memory indicator, the Statistics window appears.
It shows the size of your QuicKeys 2 memory buffer and the percentage of it that you have used. It also shows the number of keys and the size, in bytes, of each keyset file you have open.
Click “OK” or press Return to close the Statistics window.
Beneath the menu bar in the QuicKeys 2 window are the Type, Name, and Key sorting options. These allow you to sort the display of your QuicKeys: clicking on “Type,” for instance, sorts your keyset so the QuicKeys are arranged by Type.
Below the menu bar is a scrolling list of QuicKeys. When you move the cursor over the scrolling list of QuicKeys, the cursor changes to a + shape. When you move out of the list, the cursor changes back to an arrow.
Toward the bottom of the panel is a row of icons representing the different types of QuicKeys. This is the filter bar. This allows you to filter the keys displayed in the scrolling list. For example, clicking on the Alias icon (the first one in the row) displays only the Alias QuicKeys in the keyset and filters out all the rest. You can choose more than one icon at a time by holding down the Shift key as you click on them. You can see all of the QuicKeys by using the “Show all” button.
At the bottom of the window is a pop-up menu which lets you switch between the currently open keysets. If you are using the Finder, the Universal keyset and a single application keyset are open. If you are using MultiFinder, the Universal keyset and keysets for all the currently running applications are open. You can switch to a different keyset by selecting its name from the pop-up menu.
Click the “Help…” button to display the Help screen which explains the different parts of the QuicKeys 2 window. Click anywhere on the screen to close it and return to the QuicKeys 2 window.
Click the “QuicKeys 2” logo at the bottom of the window to display the About Box.
Finally, you can close the panel by clicking the “OK” button or pressing the Return key.
Now that you are familiar with the different components of the QuicKeys 2 window, let’s create a couple of QuicKeys.
IF YOU HAVE NEVER USED QUICKEYS BEFORE
Let’s take a moment to go over a few basics. When you type a QuicKey, your computer carries out the activity that has been assigned to that QuicKey. Sometimes a QuicKey represents a single action, and sometimes it represents an entire sequence of actions. (You will learn more about sequences in the pages that follow.)
The first time you open QuicKeys 2, there are already some QuicKeys listed in the QuicKeys 2 window, even though you have not created any yet. These are standard keys that come with the program.
The first eight QuicKeys assign specific actions to the appropriate keys on an extended keyboard because not all programs support these keyboard shortcuts.
The first four keys are Alias QuicKeys, and they allow you to substitute one keystroke for another. The ones shown here assign the keyboard commands for Undo, Cut, Copy and Paste to the first four F-keys on an extended keyboard.
The second four QuicKeys are called “Mousies,” and they replace mouse actions for adjusting windows. The ones shown here assign home, end, page up and page down to those keys on an extended keyboard.
Scroll your window with the gray scrollbar on the right to see the final six QuicKeys. These are called “Specials,” and this type of QuicKey can carry out many different functions. The ones shown on your screen provide keyboard commands to open QuicKeys or the QuickReference Card, to turn QuicKeys on or off, and to handle the recording of sequences.
If you wish, you can assign different keystrokes to these or any other QuicKeys. You only have to select the keystroke for the QuicKey in the scrolling list, then press the new keystroke on your keyboard. You also can create new QuicKeys to perform many different actions.
A QuicKey for Opening an Application or Document
You can create File QuicKeys to open applications or documents, so you do not have to search through folders each time you want to use them. Let’s begin with a QuicKey to open a document you use frequently, such as a template or a form letter.
• Pull down the Apple menu and select “QuicKeys 2,” or open QuicKeys 2 with Command-option-return.
• The QuicKeys 2 window appears. Make sure the pop-up menu above the “OK” button is set to “Universal Keyset.” (If it isn’t, pull it down and select “Universal Keyset.”)
QuicKeys that work at any time are in the Universal Keyset. QuicKeys that work only in certain applications are in that application’s keyset.
• Pull down the Define menu that is above the QuicKeys list. Select “File…”
• The Open dialog box appears. Scroll the window and open folders as necessary to locate the document you want.
• Select the document and click the “Open” button.
• Press the keys you want to use for this QuicKey. The keystroke appears in abbreviated form in the Keystroke area. You also can select the name of the QuicKey and change it if you wish. Use the “Change…” button if you wish to switch to a different document. You will learn about Timer Options and the QuicKeys menu later.
• Click the “OK” button and the QuicKeys 2 window appears with your new QuicKey highlighted.
• Click the “OK” button. QuicKeys 2 saves your work and closes its window. Your new QuicKey is ready to use. Press the keystroke you assigned to test it. When you use this QuicKey, it opens the document and, if the application is not already open, it opens the application at the same time.
QUICKREFERENCE CARD
If you select the second item in the QuicKeys 2 menu, the QuickReference Card will appear. This card lists the Universal QuicKeys and the QuicKeys for the current application. Any QuicKeys for the current application are shown in a bold typeface.
The individual QuicKeys on the QuickReference Card are “hot.” Clicking a QuicKey plays it.
The Key, Type and Name sorting options near the top of the card work like the sorting options in the QuicKeys 2 window. They allow you to sort the QuicKeys by their key, type or name.
The filter bar along the bottom of the card works like the filter bar at the bottom of the QuicKeys 2 window. It allows you to filter the QuicKeys by type. For example, clicking on the Click icon displays only the Click QuicKeys. You can display more than one type of QuicKey by holding down the Shift key as you click on the icon type. You can show all types by clicking on the “Show all” button at the bottom of the card.
If you have added a comment to a QuicKey, you can read the comment by clicking on the QuicKey and holding down the mouse button. A balloon with the comment appears over the QuickReference Card window.
If you have more than one page of QuicKeys, left and right arrows appear at the bottom of the window next to the “OK” button. Clicking on the left arrow takes you to the previous page of QuicKeys and clicking on the right arrow takes you to the next page of QuicKeys. You also can use the Arrow keys on the keyboard to move to the previous page and to the next page of QuicKeys.
Your First Sequence
The real power of QuicKeys 2 is its ability to watch as you perform a task and then create a sequence of QuicKeys. Let's say, for instance, that you always initialize all the disks in a new box at once. Unfortunately, the Finder forces you to click on either the “One-sided” or “Two-sided” button before it allows you to press the Return key to accept the default options. With QuicKeys 2, you can automate the process of initializing a disk so that you don’t have to think about it (which means that you stand less chance of making a mistake). If you want to follow along as we record this sequence, you’ll need an uninitialized floppy disk. Be certain that it’s uninitialized.
First, let’s set up QuicKeys 2 so the Sequence is recorded into a keyset for the Finder. You should be in the Finder.
• Press Command-Option-Return. This pre-assigned QuicKey opens the QuicKeys 2 window. It is the same as selecting “QuicKeys 2…” from the Apple menu.
• When the window opens, select “Finder” from the pop-up menu at the bottom of the window. Since QuicKeys 2 remembers which keyset you were looking at when you closed the window, the Sequence QuicKey you are about to record is saved in the Finder’s private keyset.
• Click the “OK” button or press the Return key.
Now we’re ready to record the sequence.
• Select “Record Sequence” from the QuicKeys 2 menu. You’ll notice that the Apple menu icon changes to a flashing microphone icon.
• Insert a blank, uninitialized, double-sided disk. The Macintosh tells you that the disk is unreadable and asks if you would like to initialize it.
• Click the “Two-sided” button. It warns you that this will erase all data on the disk.
• Press the Return key. Now it prompts you to rename the disk.
• Type “Blank” for the disk name. Press the Return key.
The Macintosh reports its progress as it initializes the disk.
• Select “Stop Recording…” from the QuicKeys 2 menu when initialization is completed. The flashing microphone icon goes away, the QuicKeys 2 window opens, and you are taken immediately into the Sequence editor.
QuicKeys 2 has created a sequence for you using Click, Literal, and Text QuicKeys.
• Type something descriptive like “Initialize Disk” in the “Name” field.
• Press the Tab key to move to the “Keystroke” field and press Option-F.
Warning: There are five “dead keys” on the Macintosh keyboard which are used to create special characters, such as ë or é used in some languages. These keys cannot be assigned to QuicKeys. These keys are Option-E, Option-I, Option-N, Option-U, and ~.
• Click the “OK” button or press the Return key to close the Sequence editor.
Congratulations, you’ve just recorded your first QuicKey sequence. You might want to run it now so you can see your sequence in action.
• Press the Return key to close QuicKeys 2.
• Insert another uninitialized disk.
• When the dialog box appears asking if you want to initialize the disk, press Option-F.
As the sequence runs, notice that the Apple menu icon is replaced by a flashing tape icon. You’ll see this icon whenever you play back a Sequence or a Real Time recording.
Now that you have run your sequence, let’s take a closer look at the individual pieces that make up the sequence so you can see how QuicKeys 2 is doing the work for you. We’ll start with the Click QuicKey. It represents the click you made on the “Double-sided” button in the Initialize dialog box.
• Open the QuicKeys 2 window by pressing Command-Option-Return.
• Select the “Initialize Disk” Sequence, and then select “Modify” from the Edit menu. (You could also double-click on the Sequence’s name). The Sequence editor opens again.
• Double-click on the Click QuicKey, and the Click editor opens.
A Click QuicKey lets you assign a keystroke to a click or a click and drag. Under the “Name” field are three buttons: “Click,” “Window,” and “Control area.” Each button opens an editor window that contains specific information about the location of your mouse click.
• Click on the “Click” button and the Click Location editor appears.
You clicked inside a dialog box, and QuicKeys 2 interprets that as being within a document window. It has selected the “Click Relative to Document” button. You will also notice that “Mouse position” has been selected under “Drag Relative to:”.
• Click the “OK” button, and then click the “Window” button.
The Window editor shows the position of the “Initialize” dialog box on the screen.
• Click “OK,” and then click the “Control Area” button.
The Control Area editor shows the position of the “Two-sided” button in the Initialize dialog box. Notice that the button’s name appears in the “Name” field.
• Click “OK” to close the editor.
• Click “OK” to close the Click editor.
• Double-click on the next QuicKey, and the Literal editor opens.
A Literal QuicKey types a keystroke for you. In this case, it presses the Return key.
• Click “OK” to close the Literal editor.
• Double-click on the next QuicKey to open the Text editor.
The Text QuicKey lets you assign text to a keystroke. The name that you entered for the uninitialized disk is converted to a Text QuicKey. You’ll also notice that the Return you pressed for the “OK” button is added to the end of the Text QuicKey.
If you want to change the name for the disk, you can select “Blank” and type over it. Just remember that a disk’s name can be up to 32 characters long. Also, you must leave the “Return” in the QuicKey or add a Literal after it.
• Click “OK” to close the Text editor, and remain in the Sequence editor.
Changing the Sequence
If you wanted to use the date that the disk was initialized for its name, you could remove your Text QuicKey and replace it with a Date/Time QuicKey.
• Click on the Text QuicKey and select “Cut” from the Edit menu or press Command-X.
• The Insert Arrow is below the bottom QuicKey.
• Select “Date/Time” from the Define menu and select the MM/DD/YY format, such as “8/20/90.”
• Click “OK” to close the Date/Time editor.
• Click the “Literal” button. A small dialog box asks you to press a key.
• Press the Return key.
You could completely automate the process of initializing a disk by creating a QuicKey to eject the disk after it has been initialized. Let’s add that feature to the sequence now. If you have closed the Sequence, reopen it. The initialized disk icon should be on your desktop.
Warning: If you store files or folders directly on the desktop, do not add this Eject Disk feature to your sequence. Using it, it is possible to accidentally move files or folders into the Trash.
• Click on the “Record More” button on the right side of the Sequence window. The windows close and the flashing microphone icon appears in the menu bar.
• Click on the disk icon and drag it to the Trash.
• Select “Stop Recording…” from the QuicKeys 2 menu. The Sequence editor opens with your click and drag added to the end of the QuicKey.
Initializing a disk is simpler now that you have a sequence to do it for you.
A Sequence for Changing Text
Now let’s use QuicKeys 2 to change the text font, style, and size in a word processing document. In this example, we’ll be using Microsoft Word®.
• Open your favorite word processor, and open a document. Select some text in the document.
• Select “Record Sequence” from the QuicKeys 2 menu.
• Select a different font from the Font menu.
• Select a different style from the Format menu.
• Select a different size from the Font menu.
• Select “Stop Recording…” from the QuicKeys 2 menu. The Sequence editor appears with the individual QuicKeys created.
Notice that your selections are converted to Menu QuicKeys.
• Enter a descriptive name in the “Name” field.
• Press Tab to select the “Keystroke” field and enter a keystroke.
• Click “OK” or press Return.
This QuicKey reduces several time-consuming menu selections to a single keystroke. It is very useful if you have to repeat the same font and style changes throughout a very long document. Just select the text and press the Change Font QuicKey.
To see the other types of QuicKeys available to you under the Define menu, see the attached "Read Me" files.
A Timer QuicKey
The Timer Options let you set a QuicKey to run automatically after your Macintosh starts, after an application starts or at a specified time. The Timer Options dialog box is available from any QuicKeys editor.
Let’s create a QuicKey to save your work every five minutes.
• Open your favorite graphics, word processing, or spreadsheet program.
• Select “Record One QuicKey” from the QuicKeys 2 menu.
• Select “Save” from the File menu of the program. The Menu editor opens.
• Click the “Don’t complain if the menu choice can’t be found” check box. Otherwise, QuicKeys 2 complains if you’re at the Finder when the timer tries to save.
You don’t have to assign a keystroke to this QuicKey since we are going to use Timer Options to perform the action.
• Click the Timer Options button at the bottom of the Menu editor.
• Click the “At” check box.
• Click the “Repeating every” check box.
• Type “5” in the “Repeating every” field, and leave minutes selected in the pop-up menu.
• Click “OK” or press Return to close the Timer Options dialog box.
• Click “OK” to close the editor and save your changes.
Every five minutes, your Save QuicKey saves your work. If you copy this QuicKey into your Universal keyset, it will save your work in every program.
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