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Overview
Perfect Keyboard is a time saving utility running
under Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems. The
program allows a user to create a file of frequently used
phrases, paragraphs, e-mail addresses, macros, etc. and
invoke them in any application just by typing a short
abbreviation (text shortcut) or pressing a hot key (key
shortcut). The Perfect Keyboard supports macro recording
(keyboard and/or mouse events), has its own script
commands allowing to insert time and date, activate a
window, launch application and more.
Terminology:
- Folder view - the left pane of
the main Perfect Keyboard window with the tree.
- Shortcut items view - the right
pane of the main Perfect Keyboard window with the
list of items.
- Folder - folders allow to
logically organize shortcut items. In folder
properties, can be specified some options
affecting each shortcut item in this folder.
- Shortcut item - consists of
macro and text shortcut and key shortcut to
invoke the macro.
- Text shortcut - short text a
user types to replace it with associated macro.
- Key shortcut - shortcut (like
Ctrl+Alt+F) a user presses to invoke associated
macro.
- Macro - either text a user wants
to insert to a document when text shortcut is
typed or key shortcut is pressed, or macro
(script) the user wants to start. This means that
macro can be either plain text with no
functionality (doesn't contain any command) or a
script with some functionality (contains
commands).
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Professional
vers. Light
There are two versions of the Perfect Keyboard
software: Professional and Light. The Light version is
intended for users looking for basic text replacement and
macro functionality while professional version provides
additional very advanced features. There is list of
features available in professional version and not
available in the light version:
- Some advanced commands - see
Commands & Keys chapter
- Batch mode
- Data sharing
- Improved macro recording
- Macros specific to some application
- text shortcut and key shortcut can take effect
only in specific applications
- Visual commands editing
All the features available in the professional version
only are marked (Pro)
in this documentation.
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Main Settings
In Perfect Keyboard menu, select
"Tools/Options" to open main settings (options)
dialog box.
- Expand shortcut after pressing -
select a keyboard key to press to start macro
after a text shortcut is typed.
- Shortcut keys:
Find item - when the shortcut
key is pressed, the window with list of all
macros defined is shown. This can be used when a
user cannot remember particular text shortcut (or
shortcut key).
Activate/deactivate - when
pressed, the Perfect Keyboard is
activated/deactivated. Deactivated Perfect
Keyboard ignores all text shortcut typed or key
shortcut pressed.
Start/stop macro recording -
when pressed, the macro recording is
started/stopped.
Show/hide Perfect Keyboard -
when pressed, the Perfect Keyboard is hidden (so
that only Perfect Keyboard icon is presented in
tray area of the TaskBar) or shown.
- Play sound when expanding shortcut
- plays specified sound when shortcut expanding
(macro playback) is started.
- Save settings on exit - if
checked, some settings (folder expanded/collapsed
state, for example) is saved on program exit.
- Show reminders - if checked,
message window with tips and helps is appearing
in particular moments (when macro recording is
finished, for example).
- Allow shared items (Pro) - if
checked, allows to use shared items saved in the
specified file. How to create and maintain shared
items file see "Data Sharing" chapter
in this help file.
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Shortcut Item
Settings
To pop up the shortcut item property sheet double
click on the item's text in the shortcut item view or
press 'Enter' key. (Note that double click on the icon or
pressing space bar will cause the macro is started.)
- Text shortcut - text shortcut.
If text shortcut is not required then leave it
empty. The text shortcut (if specified) must be
unique.
- Key shortcut - key shortcut
(like Ctrl+Alt+F). If key shortcut is not
required then leave it empty. To delete already
specified key shortcut press space bar.
- Macro (text to expand) - macro
text. The size of the macro is limited to 5KB.
Larger macros must be specified in an external
macro file and invoked by <extmacro>
command.
- Insert recorded macro - inserts
a macro recorded in the memory to
"Macro" field.
- Remove timing - removes timing
from the macro recorded. If the timing is removed
then the macro playback speed cannot be
controlled.
- Paste - pastes text from
clipboard to "Macro" field.
- Insert command or special key (Pro) -
pops up a window with all the commands and
special keys for easy visual command editing.
- Edit command (Pro) -
allows to visually edit commands. When cursor is
on the command definition in "Macro"
field the "Edit command" button is
enabled.
- Text shortcut:
Auto-expand - when checked, user
doesn't have to press space bar to invoke macro
playback but the macro is started immediately
when text shortcut is typed.
Can be part of a word - when
checked, the shortcut text doesn't have to start
as a new word but can be part of the previous
word. For example, if "sct" is a text
shortcut and a user writes "startsct"
an presses space bar the shortcut is expanded.
- Paste text through clipboard -
- Macro playback:
Speed - specifies the speed of
macro playback. Applies on macros previously
recorded by Perfect Keyboard recording feature.
Repeat - specifies how many
times the macro is to be repeated.
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Folder Settings
To pop up the folder property sheet double click on
the folder's text in the folder view or press 'Enter'
key.
- General - specify the folder
label and description of items collected in this
folder here.
- Applications (Pro) -
allows to specify a set of applications the
shortcut items only work or only don't work.
"Work in all applications" - the
shortcut (both text and key) work in all
applications.
"Work in application listed below only"
- the shortcut (both text and key) work only in
applications listed. In the application fields
fill the application's window title (doesn't have
to be exact window title).
"Do not work only in application listed
below" - the shortcut (both text and key) do
not work only in applications listed. In the
application fields fill the application's window
title (doesn't have to be exact window title).
- Advanced - specify fonts to be
used in shortcut item property sheet in text
shortcut, description and macro field.
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Commands & Keys
Note: the commands with Pro
sign are available in professional version only.
Command or Key |
|
Description |
Keys |
|
|
<back> |
|
Back space |
<enter> |
|
Enter |
<shift> |
|
Shift key; the first
occurrence specifies the Shift key is pressed
(down) and the next occurrence specifies the key
is released (up). |
<ctrl> |
|
Control key; the
first occurrence specifies the Control key is
pressed (down) and the next occurrence specifies
the key is released (up). |
<alt> |
|
Alt key; the first
occurrence specifies the Alt key is pressed
(down) and the next occurrence specifies the key
is released (up). |
<capslock> |
|
Caps Lock |
<esc> |
|
Escape |
<pgup> |
|
Page up |
<pgdn> |
|
Page down |
<end> |
|
End |
<home> |
|
Home |
<left> |
|
Left arrow |
<up> |
|
Up arrow |
<down> |
|
Down arrow |
<right> |
|
Right arrow |
<insert> |
|
Insert |
<delete> |
|
Delete |
<tab> |
|
Tab |
<F1>
... <F12> |
|
F1 to F12 keys |
<break> |
|
Pause (break) |
<clear> |
|
Clear |
<select> |
|
Select key |
<execkey> |
|
Execute key |
<lwinkey> |
|
Left Windows key (MS Natural
keyboard) |
<rwinkey> |
|
Right Windows key (MS Natural
keyboard) |
<appskey> |
|
Applications key (MS Natural
keyboard) |
<scroll> |
|
Scroll lock |
<numlock> |
|
Num lock |
<numpad0>
... <numpad9> |
|
Numpad 0 to 9 keys |
<numpad+> |
|
+ key on numpad |
<numpad*> |
|
* key on numpad |
<numpad-> |
|
- key on numpad |
<numpad/> |
|
/ key on numpad |
<numpad.> |
|
. key on numpad |
<printscreen> |
|
Print Screen key |
|
|
|
Commands |
|
|
<#> |
|
Comment; all the
text (including new line) after <#> is a
comment; the new line character before <#>
is ignored when macro is expanded |
<td:d>(num) |
|
The day of the
current date; num parameter specifies the date
shift (-1 shifts date one day back - yesterday,
+1 shifts date one day ahead - tomorrow). |
<td:m>(num) |
|
The month of the
current date |
<td:dlz>(num) |
|
The day (with
leading zero) of the current date |
<td:mlz>(num) |
|
The month (with
leading zero) of the current date |
<td:y>(num) |
|
The year of the
current date |
<ct:h24>(num) |
|
The hour (24 hours
based) of the current time; num parameter
specifies time shift (in minutes) |
<ct:h12>(num) |
|
The hour (12 hours
based) of the current time |
<ct:m>(num) |
|
The minute of the
current time |
<ct:h24lz>(num) |
|
The hour (24 hours
based; with leading zero) of the current time |
<ct:h12lz>(num) |
|
The hour (12 hours
based; with leading zero) of the current time |
<ct:mlz>(num) |
|
The minute (with
leading zero) of the current time |
<ct:ampm>(num) |
|
am/pm |
<ct:AMPM>(num) |
|
AM/PM |
|
|
|
<w50> |
|
Wait 50 ms |
<w100> |
|
Wait 100 ms |
<w500> |
|
Wait 500 ms |
<wx>(num) |
|
Wait num ms |
<dnds> |
|
Do not delete
shortcut. The text shortcut typed by a user (for
example ".ff") is deleted before macro
is started. This macro causes the text shortcut
typed is not deleted. |
<pause> |
Pro |
Wait for user
keyboard input. When a user presses 'Enter' key
the macro continues. |
|
|
|
<mm>(x,y) |
|
Mouse move to x,y
position. |
<mlbd> |
|
Mouse left button
down. |
<mlbu> |
|
Mouse left button
up. |
<mrbd> |
|
Mouse right button
down. |
<mrbu> |
|
Mouse right button
up. |
<mmbd> |
|
Mouse middle button
down. |
<mmbu> |
|
Mouse middle button
up. |
|
|
|
<execapp>("File
path",state) |
Pro |
Execute (start,
launch) application. "File Path"
specifies full path to the application or file to
open. If you specify an application with
additional parameters (file to open within the
application, for example) you can close the
parameters to the ' quotation (not "
quotation!). Some applications may require this.
This command can be also used for opening a web
page in web browser or sending an e-mail. To open
web page, specify http:// (or
ftp://) and web page URL (for example,
http://SoftwareUtilities.Com). To send e-mail
specify mailto: and e-mail
address (for example, mailto:pitrinec@kagi.com). State
determines the window size and has following
meaning:
0 - normal
1 - maximized
2 - minimized
|
<run>("Text
Shortcut") |
Pro |
Run another macro.
This command allows to embed macros. "Text
Shortcut" specifies the text shortcut of the
macro. |
<beep>("File
Name", repeat) |
Pro |
Play a sound.
"File Name" specifies a full path to a
sound file. Repeat is a number of repeats. |
<actwin>("Window
Title",match,state,"Text
Shortcut") |
Pro |
Activate window (and
if window doesn't exist run macro). "Window
Title" specifies the title of the window to
activate. Match can have following values:
0 - match substring
1 - exact match
State can have following values:
0 - restore window to normal size
1 - maximize window
2 - minimize window
3 - let the window as it is (but if it is
minimized then restore it to normal size)
"Text Shortcut" specifies a text
shortcut of the macro to run if the window
specified by "Window Title" doesn't
exist. |
<msg>(x,y,"Message
Text","Message Window Title",type) |
Pro |
Show message window.
x,y specify the position of the message window.
"Message Text" is a message shown in
the message window and "Message Window
Title" is the message window title. Type can
be one of these values:
0 - there is not OK button in the message window.
The message window has to be closed by
<msgoff> command.
1 - there is OK button in the message window. |
<msgoff> |
Pro |
Close message
window. |
<listbox>("Window
Title","Text Shortcut
1","Description 1","Text
Shortcut 2","Description 2",...) |
Pro |
Show list box
window. The list box window allows to select from
several options of how the macro execution should
continue. "Window Title" is the list
box window title. "Text Shortcut 1" is
a text shortcut of the macro(1) and
"Description 1" is a text describing
the macro (1). "Text Shortcut 2" is a
text shortcut of the macro(2) and
"Description 2" is a text describing
the macro (2), etc.
This command allows a user to control the macro
execution and drive it in the way he wants. |
<extmacro>("File
Path",clipboard) |
Pro |
Run external macro.
"File Path" is a full path to external
macro text file. Clipboard option can have one of
these values:
0 - do not pass macro (text) through the
clipboard. This must be specified if the external
macro contains commands or special keys like
<alt>, <home>, etc.
1 - pass macro (text) through the clipboard. This
can be specified when the external macro contains
plain text without any commands or special keys. |
<begloop>(Num_of_loops) |
Pro |
Allows to repeat the part of the
macro specified between <begloop> and
<endloop> statements. If the number of
loops (Num_of_loops) is greater than 0 then it
specifies the number of repetition (llops). If
the Num_of_loops is equal 0 then the user is
asked to specifies the number of loops in runtime
(a dialog to enter the number of loops is shown
during macro execution). If the Num_of_loops is
less than 0 the user is always asked to
permit/refuse continuing of the loop during macro
execution. |
<endloop> |
Pro |
Each <begloop> must be
followed by associated <endloop>. See
<begloop>. |
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Macro Recording
The Perfect Keyboard allows you to record the sequence
of keyboard or/and mouse events. To start macro recording
select "Tools/Start macro recording" from main
Perfect Keyboard menu or "Start macro
recording" from the tray icon menu. In the dialog
shown specify all the macro recording options and press
OK. (Pro: Note
that there are more options in the Perfect Keyboard Pro).
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Data Sharing (Pro)
Network users can share items over the LAN network.
Shared shortcut items are saved in a special file that
has to be located on a network drive (directory) all user
can access. Each user wanting to have access to shared
shortcut items has to specify the path to the shared
items file in the "Options" dialog.
Shared shortcut items file editing
To create a shared shortcut items file create a new
file selecting "File/New" menu item. Name the
new file so that the name is different than any other
Perfect Keyboard file name users use (for example,
"SharedItemsFile"). Edit the file (create
folders and shortcut items) and save it on shared network
drive on the network. When the shared shortcut items file
is created all the users (with "Allow shared
items" enabled in the "Options" dialog)
will see "Shared Items" folder in their folder
view.
Note the shared items can be edited only when shared
items file is directly opened in the Perfect Keyboard.
This means that if a user (administrator) wants to make
changes to shared items he has to open shared shortcut
items file in the Perfect Keyboard by selecting the file
in file open dialog (File/Open).
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Batch Mode (Pro)
The Perfect Keyboard can run also in a "batch
mode". If the Perfect Keyboard is started with
parameter specifying the text shortcut of the macro to
perform and parameter specifying the file of the macro
then the Perfect Keyboard just performs the macro and
exits.
Syntax:
- C:\Program Files\Perfect
Keyboard\pk32.exe -run:text_shortcut File_path
For example:
- C:\Program Files\Perfect
Keyboard\pk32.exe -run:.rn C:\Program Files\Perfect
Keyboard\samples.pkd
This feature allows to integrate the Perfect Keyboard
program with other applications (especially launchers).
An application, for example MS Office toolbar or Perfect
Screens, can be used just as a user interface to Perfect
Keyboard macros functionality. The result of such
integration is a very powerful and easy to use tool.
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License Agreement
Upon your acceptance of this Agreement, Pitrinec
Software (Author) grants to
you a nonexclusive license to use the Perfect Keyboard
software (Software).
1.Use of the Software.
The Software has been released for distribution as a
SHAREWARE and
may be distributed at no cost.
You are granted a license to try the Software for 30
days. After this time,
the Software must be registered or removed from the
system.
You may install the Software on a hard disk or other
storage device;
install and use the Software on a file server for use on
a network for
the purposes of (i) permanent installation onto hard
disks or other
storage devices or (ii) use of the Software over such
network; and make
backup copies of the Software.
2.Restrictions.
Unregistered use of the Software after the 30-day
evaluation period is in violation
of international copyright laws.
You are not allowed to modify, translate, reverse
engineer, decompile,
disassemble or otherwise attempt to discover the source
code of the Software.
The number of the (licensed) Software instances running
at the same time may
not exceed the number of licenses purchased.
You are not allowed to redistribute or provide to 3rd
party already registered
versions of the Software as well as you may not publish
the registration number(s)
that unlock the Software.
The Software can be distributed only as the package
provided by the Author.
This package cannot be change in any way without written
Author's permission.
3.No Warranty.
ALL WARRANTIES ARE DISCLAIMED, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, IN THIS SOFTWARE. THE ENTIRE RISK OF THE USE OR
THE RESULT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE REMAINS WITH
THE USER.
Unpublished-rights reserved under international copyright
laws.
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Price List
As stated in "License agreement" part of
this document, the Perfect Keyboard is a shareware
program and must be registered if a user decides to keep
it. There are several ways how to register it. User
can either use on-line registration or send registration
form via e-mail or snail mail (in such a case there is a
Register.exe program provided with the package allowing
user to generate registration form). User can choose
among several payment methods including credit cards,
cash, money order, etc.
Professional version (Perfect Keyboard '98 Pro):
License: |
Price (US $): |
Upgrade from version 1.x |
5.00 |
1 User
(copy) |
29.00 |
5 Users
(copies) |
99.00 |
10 Users
(copies) |
149.00 |
25 Users
(copies) |
299.00 |
50 Users
(copies) |
449.00 |
* Site
license |
790.00 |
** World-wide
license |
2290.00 |
* Site license
(educational organizations) |
290.00 |
** World-wide
license (educational organizations) |
490.00 |
Light version (Perfect Keyboard '98 Light):
License: |
Price (US $): |
Upgrade from version 1.x |
5.00 |
1 User
(copy) |
19.00 |
5 Users
(copies) |
65.00 |
10 Users
(copies) |
99.00 |
25 Users
(copies) |
199.00 |
50 Users
(copies) |
299.00 |
* Site
license |
520.00 |
** World-wide
license |
1500.00 |
* Site license
(educational organizations) |
190.00 |
** World-wide
license (educational organizations) |
329.00 |
Multiple users license (e.g., 10 users license) can be
either used so that there are several users using the
same copy of the program installed on a network server or
there are several copies of the program installed on
users' workstations (each user has own copy installed on
the computer). In any case the number of users using the
program (not necessarily at the same time) may not exceed
the number of copies licensed.
* Site license is for unlimited number of users at one
organization, and within a radius of 100 miles (160 km)
from one central location.
** An organization that has offices further than that and
wants to use the product in these distant locations,
should buy a world-wide license
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