Wouldn't it be faster to just input a key accelerator (which you can do on your Mac straight from system preferences -- I would assume Windows has similar)? That way you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard, simply press command-foo. I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device.
"I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device."
Absolutely. I have a Corsair K90 keyboard with 18 extra function keys (actually that's 18x3) and never use them because I can't remember what G1, G2, G3, etc stand for.
It'll send the same codes as any other 10-key you have. That was my issue when I was looking for something similar, as I still use the 10-key on my keyboard occasionally. I ended up getting a Logitech G13 for the same purpose but never ended up clearing the desk space so I could set it up.
In addition to a few more keys next to the keyboard, how about adding a simple voice interface? "Keypad 1" "Keypad 2" or even name the macros: "Keypad sort" If I'm not constantly repeating a macro, I like to keep my hands on my main keyboard.
;)
I use VoiceAttack when playing Elite Dangerous in VR.
I actually made something similar using a small program called "luamacros" to intercept keys from a Planck ortholinear keyboard, then I printed out labels to put on the blank keycaps. I think I've finally settled on a good layout, so I'll be printing up some custom keycaps to permanently print the legends on the keys. It's surprisingly useful! I've got some buttons to open websites, some to do git-things, some to ope…
That sounds like an awesome setup. Can't deny that programming up your own layout to your exact needs definitely gives you the best results.
Yeah, I really wanted something easier to work with as it's a bit of a pain to maintain, and I might see if I can pick one of these up for my office machine!
Wouldn't it be faster to just input a key accelerator (which you can do on your Mac straight from system preferences -- I would assume Windows has similar)? That way you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard, simply press command-foo. I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device.
"I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device." Absolutely. I have a Corsair K90 keyboard with 18 extra function keys (actually that's 18x3) and never use them because I can't remember what G1, G2, G3, etc stand for.
Knowing that you've pressed a button is an issue, too. I have a Sidewinder gaming keyboard with a similar number of macro keys, and often the only indication that I've accidentally tapped one is that I start typing 'W' every few seconds (that's a macro I have for avoiding going AFK in some games).
Less powerful than autohotkey, and requires you to use a separate keypad? Just use autohotkey and the keyboard you're already using? I just bind my capslock to my alternate layer. For instance holding caps turns j,k,l,i into arrow keys.
I have RSI so a single keypress for things like ctrl+c and ctrl+v is much easier.
The more keys you need to press simultaneously the worse it is for some people.
I actually made something similar using a small program called "luamacros" to intercept keys from a Planck ortholinear keyboard, then I printed out labels to put on the blank keycaps. I think I've finally settled on a good layout, so I'll be printing up some custom keycaps to permanently print the legends on the keys. It's surprisingly useful! I've got some buttons to open websites, some to do git-things, some to ope…
Luamacros was used by the video editor of Linus Tech Tips to make an entire spare keyboard into a macro pad. He even used up every single key!
I actually made something similar using a small program called "luamacros" to intercept keys from a Planck ortholinear keyboard, then I printed out labels to put on the blank keycaps. I think I've finally settled on a good layout, so I'll be printing up some custom keycaps to permanently print the legends on the keys. It's surprisingly useful! I've got some buttons to open websites, some to do git-things, some to ope…
Luamacros was used by the video editor of Linus Tech Tips to make an entire spare keyboard into a macro pad. He even used up every single key! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn8ExQ2Gjg
Yeah that was where I got the idea.
I was actually able to remap the keys of the Planck with some customizable firmware to remove the layer key and Ctrl/alt/etc... keys which made it easier to work with.
Hey! Robin here - the creator of TASK: The Amazing Shortcut Keypad. Great to see so many comments and some interesting engagement :D A lot of you are identifying other ways to achieve this sort of automation either with AutoHotKey or custom scripts and if that works for you then good on ya, no point in changing :) However, the keypad was designed to give you quick, easy and intuitive automation in seconds. No writing…
> No writing code, no binding keys or running scripts.
This might be a dumb question, but why bother making hardware for that? Could you write software that works with an existing external num pad?