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Andrey “Rarst” Savchenko —  — Software — hotkey, manager, shortcut

qliner hotkeys - hotkey manager made the right way

qliner_hotkeys_icon I tend to look for that good/best balance and most of software I use is quite good. Sometimes there is exception. App that is slow, with bunch of bugs and long abandoned by developers. App that does something so exceptionally good that flaws does not matter.

qliner hotkeys is a such app for hotkeys launchers, forgotten underdog that no competitor can match.

What it does

App allows to map common actions (launch something, open folder and so on) to Win+any key. That’s right – no obnoxious Ctrl+Shift+Alt+… combinations. Any and every hotkey here starts with Win and ends in another single key.

It has most fitting graphical interface (triggered with Win+Z or by holding Win for specified number of seconds) that displays all mapped hotkeys and allows to set new by simply dropping shortcuts on it.

qliner_hotkeys_interface

App logic easily obliterates most common issue - how to actually remember hotkey after you set it up. It makes combinations as short and possible and provides visual map on top.

Strong features

Superb logic and usability. What more is needed from hotkey app? The more it stays out of the way the better.

Downsides

I started this post with tale of apps used despite how they suck and there is plenty that sucks about this one:

  • developers had long abandoned it, app is open source but last version hadn’t even made it to sourceforge project page;
  • it runs on .NET Framework and even if I am not a fan of platform (I like software truly portable) this is objectively bad here – it lags, eats memory by tons and likes to hang system (especially when network shortcuts are involved).

Actually I only use it at work, because at home I have Logitech G15 keyboard, which offers enough of hardware hotkey bliss to not bother with software.

Overall

Seriously I am not even sure you should try this one now (I picked it up when it still had some hopes to be developed).

But I hope someone forks or completely re-writes this one. Or steals the idea at least, it is after all one of very few hotkey apps that actually make sense.

Home&download http://www.qliner.com/hotkeys/

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10 Comments

  • alexsupra #

    there is convenient, tiny, useful and flexible alternative program. it doesnt require dotnet or any other bloated sdk or libs, fully configurable via single ini file, consists of single exe file about 20kb size. download: http://www.bcheck.net/apps/HoeKey.exe

  • Rarst #

    @alexsupra I know that one comes up a lot in hotkey-related discussions. However it is not an alternative to qliner one. qliner got constraints right. They narrowed down what can you do to ensure it is extremely easy for you to. HoeKey with all those extensive commands and INI configuration is a geek toy. For all my love of geek toys they are often more about geek and less about getting stuff done. :)

  • alexsupra #

    actually hoekey with predefined configuration was tested on real practical usage on a lot of computers by many common users and system administrators. that is the chosen one among a lot of other free and opensource hotkey management software tools for win32 by long-term practical usage tests and investigations with various configuration customizing. the real geeks are not those who plaing toys. children are playing and toys and getting stuff done. the real geeks make real things that about getting work done. the real geeks are powered by free-range minds able to think, to change and to create.

  • Rarst #

    @alexsupra Example. I need to define new hotkey in qliner: 1. Hold Win for a second. 2. Drag and drop shortcut on layout. Could you please break down same action in HoeKey? As I understand it will involve opening configuration file in editor and defining new entry. And please don't go all a lot of computers by many common users on me. :) I speak for myself, you speak for yourself. Let's leave crowd out. I am trying to convey why qliner hotkeys fits my needs that good and why I don't feel comfortable investing my time in overly (for my taste) extensive hotkey managers. There are tasks where thinking is important and there are tasks where mindless reflexes are important. I treat hotkeys as latter.

  • Rick #

    Rarst, Do not know if this would be helpful or not to you... Have you tried ControlPad... http://sector-seven.net/software/controlpad ControlPad will indicate that it is designed to be used with the numeric keypad; BUT, it can be used with any key (alpha or numereric). Has become one of my favorite apps... Also is portable! Rick

  • Rarst #

    @Rick Remembering numeric codes gets about same mark on "is nuts" scale as remembering overcomplicated hotkeys for my taste. :) It also works with words but for that I have SmartStartMenu

  • Rick #

    Maybe we need to go away from hotkeys and typing altogether... Give this "new" one a try: http://me.codeplex.com/ (MouseExtender) In the early stages of development, but looks very promising...

  • Rarst #

    @Rick Read your review on that one. Problem is I actively use middle click in Opera... And browser is where we spend most of time nowadays, isn't it? :) At home I just enjoy huge set of hardware keys for stuff. Doesn't mix with regular keys and so has great usability.

  • Rick #

    @Rarst I was able to reassign the "middle click" on my mouse to use a side button that is rarely used (Logitech Mouse)when using MouseExtender. I do agree that the middle mouse button could be an issue and that other options are needed. I too have my mouse setup to automate many of the basic browser tasks (open, close, back, forward)and would feel handicapped without it. Developer is open to suggestions and being encouraged to develop MouseExtender further.

  • Rarst #

    @Rick My side is taken as well with awesome 'Recall application' action that jumps quickly between last two windows. And on button above wheel I have minimize... It is hard to find freely available button on my mouse. :)