X macros like AutoHotKey for Windows

[bhoyt]

Is there a program for X which will do some or all of what AutoHotKey does for Windows?

[Kieren]

What does AutoHotKey do?

[bhoyt]

I am trying to convert to Linux. But to keep up my productivity level, I need to be able to define multiple keystrokes for specific X windows.

For example, in Open Office Writer I want to be able to use the 2 key sequence "Ctrl-Q,Ctrl-S" to move the cursor to the beginning of the line (i.e. this sequence should send the {Home} keystroke) and the sequence "Ctrl-Q,Ctrl-D" to move the cursor to the end of the line (i.e. this sequence should send the {End} keystroke).

Is there anything I can use to accomplish this for X windows? At present I use the very powerful AutoHotKey in Windows to accomplish this. I don't need something as powerful as AutoHotKey. I just need to be able to intercept X key events, do a little scripting and then send X key events.

bhoyt

[bhoyt]

It is a simple but fairly complete programming language together with hooks into the OS to catch keyboard, mouse and other events from specified windows, handle them and send events to specified windows.

I use it to program hotkeys, for starting programs from the keyboard and to redefine keystrokes for specific editors so they all work the way I want them to (i.e. from the keyboard) I rarely take my hands of the keyboard and every text editor and word processor and email program I use and all work the same.

It's great.

But I would like to switch to Linux. However I need some to do this so that I can keep up my productivity.

bhoyt

[Kieren]

I've not heard of such a program myself. However, flw once pointed out The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux. (Official site of the table) which lists Linux equivalents to Windows programs. I've found it quite useful in the past and it may help you out

[devils casper]

I rarely take my hands of the keyboard

Same here. Assigning shorcuts/functions to keys is the one of a few things which I do after fresh install of any distro.

Gnome Desktop Environment maps all multimedia keys by default and you can re-assign those with gconf-editor and Keyboard Shortcuts.

In KDE, you have to do it yourself.
Execute xev command and note down keycode of key. Execute xmodmap command to assign whatever application/function you want to invoke.

xmodmap -e 'keycode 115=Menu'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 174=XF86AudioLowerVolume'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 176=XF86AudioRaiseVolume'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 160=XF86AudioMute'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 162=XF86AudioPlay'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 162=XF86AudioPause'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 161=XF86Calculator'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 178=XF86WWW'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 237=XF86AudioMedia'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 236=XF86Mail'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 235=XF86MyComputer'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 230=XF86Terminal'

Save above code in file, let say, key_map.sh and move it to ~/.kde/env folder. It will be autoexecuted on every login.
Edit any/all shorcuts according to your needs.

[bhoyt]

I know about modifying with Xmodmap. But I need multiple keystrokes mapped into one! e.g. "Ctrl-Q,Ctrl-S" should map to {Home}. Anything to do this with?

bhoyt

[oz]

Hi, bhoyt!

I don't think there is currently a Linux equivalent, but is it possible that AutoHotKey might work under WINE?

I've personally never used AutoHotKey or WINE, so I have no idea if it would work or if anyone has ever tried it, but it might be worth at least considering.

[oz]

I was doing some Googling just now and came across this:

Wine-doors » About

Changeset 843 for wine-doors - Wine Doors - Trac

Now, I'm not sure what all that means, but it appears that wine-doors is offering, or at least working on trying to make AutoHotKeys work under Linux with WINE.

Maybe someone else here that knows more about wine-doors, autohotkeys, and wine can fill in the blanks and explain what it all means.

[devils casper]

Which Desktop Environment are you using?