[SOLVED] shortcut (hot key) definition

JavaMeister · 06-14-2021, 08:27 PM

How can I set up a shortcut to output a text string wherever the cursor is in Ubunbu 18.04? I want to map the shortcut to a key combination.

frankbell · 06-14-2021, 08:56 PM

Keyboard shortcuts are normally managed by the window manager/desktop environment. What desktop environment are you using?

If it's the default, Gnome, this may help: https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-h...ts-set.html.en

JavaMeister · 06-15-2021, 07:38 AM

Thank you for that very helpful reference. Can you give me a clue why my attempt does not work?

I defined a shortcut named EmailAddr to be "echo Ron39@gmail.com" and it does not work. The command works fine in the terminal.

I also tried "bash echo Ron39@gmail.com" but that command does NOT work in the terminal. The terminal says it cannot execute a binary file. It also does not work as a shortcut.

Yes, I am using Gnome 3.36.8 in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

DavidMcCann · 06-15-2021, 10:51 AM

The Gnome shortcuts are for creating commands. If I understand you, you want to be able to use a short-cut just to save typing in a string in any application. If that's the case, just install the program autokey from the Ubuntu repository. It looks a bit complicated but it's worth trying: Beginners-Guide

JavaMeister · 06-16-2021, 07:48 AM

Thanks. autokey really did the trick.

I am surprised that there does not seem to be a "native" way to do this, "native" to Linux, Ubuntu, Gnome, etc.
autokey has a LOT of power. It requires one know or learn Python to use most of it.

DavidMcCann · 06-16-2021, 11:03 AM

I'm glad you like it — I might try it myself. I too am surprised this isn't built in. Years ago on my Sinclair QL, one could create shortcuts on the fly, or in a script to run at the start, using the Alt key. So

Code:

altkey "m", "Testing!" \ "Hello world"

would enable alt-m to print the two messages at the cursor, separated by a line feed. Occasionally QDOS could reach places that Linux couldn't — the built-in alarm clock was also handy.