I have SEEN the light: keyboard shortcuts

[blnchflr]

Reposted from my journal, because I can't get over how helpful this is. It has been very slightly edited for the more linux-savvy audience here, but I probably still over-explain things :o)

I'm not talking about using keyboard shortcuts to copy/paste, print, rename folders/files, and all that. I'm talking about using keyboard shortcuts to open often-used folders and files. Why didn't anyone tell me about this? It's only the most brilliant thing EVER!!

Like, most of this post was composed in a specific plain-text document, which I can open from anywhere by hitting Alt+P. The minute I think of something I'd like to post on, I don't have to go online and find my draft post at DW, or open some program. I can just hit Alt+P, type out my thoughts, hit Ctrl+S to save and Alt+F4 to close. My fingers never have to leave the keyboard!

It can also be used for sneaksy things, like hiding folders you don't want people to trip over (like e.g. I hide my fandom folder). But in the olden days, hiding folders also meant more time spent finding them, yourself. Now I can open my fandom folder by the mere hitting of two keyboard keys. Have I mentioned how brilliant this is??

Ubuntu how-to, can doubtlessly be tailored to work in your OS:

1. Note the path of the folder/file you want to create a shortcut to.


2. Go to System > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.


3. Decide on your keyboard shortcut - make sure it isn't already in use.


4. Towards the bottom, click on the group Custom Shortcuts and click Add.
   • For files: [program with which to open file] [path/filename] - e.g. gedit /home/skuf/fandomfolder/post (my plain-text file has no file-extension in Ubuntu, but if your file is called kinks.doc, it's of course /kinks.doc).
   
   
   • For folders: [file manager] [path] - e.g. nautilus /home/skuf/mysekkritfandomfolder/ - note the final /!
   
   
   • For programs: [command] - e.g. vlc.
5. Your action should now be added, but with shortcut deactivated - click on Deactivated under Shortcut and press your chosen shortcut keys. They'll then show up under Shortcut.


6. Voila!

Comments

[feathertail]

Have you tried GNOME Do? http://do.davebsd.com/

You'd love it. ~.^

Thanks for the idea!

[blnchflr]

Is it faster than a keyboard shortcut? I maybe don't really get what it is/does.

[feathertail]

It's a universal keyboard shortcut! Win + Space and type the first few letters of anything. It'll guess what you're typing about. If it doesn't guess right, just keep typing, or use up and down arrows to tell it. Over time its guesses get better.

It sounds cumbersome when I describe it that way, but what it really amounts to is effortless everything. No delay between thought and action, and your hands never leave the keyboard. Plus it's got plugins that integrate with your bookmarks, your Tomboy notes, even your file system, so you can launch everything using GNOME Do. It's unbelievable the level of control that it gives, and how easy it is to use -- especially since it's all just one shortcut.

It's also an object dock, but that's optional. Sleekest and easiest dock that I've ever seen, though.

[kareila]

Sounds like the same thing as Quicksilver/Launchbar on the Mac. Do you know if there is a similar keyboard launcher for Windows as well?

[feathertail]

Try Launchy!

[kareila]

Thanks!

[feathertail]

Welcome!

[kerravonsen]

Oh, now that's an intriguing idea. I use xbindkeys for my program-related keyboard shortcuts, because it doesn't matter which window-manager I'm using. But it hadn't occurred to me to bind a shortcut to a particular file or folder.

[blnchflr]

I'm still not over how clever it is - Linux is <3