Key Tools is a collection of useful functions that may be performed by typing a special key sequence. By typing a command key in any application, or the Finder, you may execute any of the following functions:
Button Keys - You may select a button in a dialog box by holding down the command key and typing the first letter of the button’s name.
Type Date - Types the current date, as if you had typed it on the keyboard.
Type Time - Types the current time, as if you had typed it on the keyboard.
Echo - Retypes everything you typed since the last time you clicked the mouse.
Key Tools is a Control Panel Device. To install Key Tools, copy the Key Tools file into your System Folder and restart your Macintosh.
Each of these buttons is described in more detail below.
You may run one of the functions listed above from any application.
You may select any key to control any function and you may require that the option, command, or shift keys be pressed to call a function. For example, you may decide that the time function will be run when you type the letter “t” while holding down the option and command keys. Now, the time function will run any time you type these keys. In the Control Panel, Key Tools displays this key sequence as "option-command-t", which means you must hold down the command and option keys while at the same time typing the letter "t". You may only specify a single character key, however, so you cannot select both the letters “t” and “i” to control the time function.
2. Selecting Function Keys
Any key tool may be turned on or off independently. For example, you could have the date key turned on, but all of the other key tools turned off.
To set the keystroke for a particular key tool, open the Key Tools Control Panel, and select the Set button that is displayed next to the name of the function. For example, to set the keystroke for displaying the time, you would:
1. Open the Key Tools Control Panel
2. Select the Set button that is next to the time label
The set button will create a window. You may now type the keystroke for that window, and the window will disappear. The new keystroke will be displayed in the Key Tools Control Panel.
You may select any key to control any function and you may require that the option, command, or shift keys be pressed to call a function. For example, you may decide that the time function will be run when you type the letter “t” while holding down the option and command keys. Now, the time function will run any time you type these keys. In the Control Panel, Key Tools displays this key sequence as "option-command-t", which means you must hold down the command and option keys while at the same time typing the letter "t". You may only specify a single character key, however, so you cannot select both the letters “t” and “i” to control the time function.
Note to Mac Plus Users: The Mac Plus keyboard does not distinguish between the
arrow keys and the +,=,* and / keys on the keyboard. As a result, you may only
select the keyboard keys.
3. Using Button Keys
This allows you to type a command key to select buttons in most modal dialogs. A modal dialog is a window that beeps when you outside it. For example, most file selection windows and alert alert messages use modal dialogs.
When a modal dialog is displayed, you may hold down the command key and type a letter and Button Keys will try to find a button whose name starts with that letter. If there is such a button, then it is pressed, exactly as if you had clicked on it with the mouse. If there are two or more buttons whose names begin with the letter, then one of them will be pressed, but there is now way to determine which.
For example, when you want to open a file, most applications create a dialog that allows you to select a file. This dialog typically has a Cancel button. If Button Keys are running, you may type command C instead of clicking the mouse over the Cancel button.
When you hold down the shift and command key and type a letter, Button Keys will try to find a checkbox or selection item whose name starts with that letter. If there is such a checkbox, then it is pressed, exactly as if you had clicked on it with the mouse. If there are two or more checkboxes whose names begin with that letter, then one of them will be pressed, but there is now way to determine which.
NOTE: A few applications offer similar command key shortcuts for their windows and these may effect checkbox items even when you are not holding the shift key.
4. Using the "Type Date" Command
This function will “type” the current date exactly as if you had typed it on the keyboard. You may use the Control Panel to select how the date is entered.
The long format looks like:
Monday, February 3, 1992
The short format looks like:
2/3/92
You should try to avoid typing while Key Tools is typing the date, or else keystrokes from you and Key Tools will be mixed up.
5. Using the "Type Time" Command
This function will “type” the current date exactly as if you had typed it on the keyboard. You may use the Control Panel to select whether seconds are included in the time.
An example time without seconds looks like:
1:22 AM
An example time with seconds looks like:
1:22:14 AM
You should try to avoid typing while Key Tools is typing the time, or else keystrokes from you and Key Tools will be mixed up.
6. Using the "Echo" Command
Key Tools always remembers everything you have typed since the last time you clicked the mouse., and the Echo function “re-types” everything you typed since then.
For example, consider the sample editing sequence in a typical word processor:
1. Click the mouse to select the word “totally” in the sentence “Echo is totally useful and completely easy to use.”
2. Hit the Delete key and type “very”. This replaces the word “totally” with “very” and the sentence now reads, “Echo is very useful and completely easy to use.”
3. Click the mouse to select the word “completely” in the sentence “Echo is very useful and completely easy to use.”
4. Hit the echo key. The sentence now reads, “Echo is very useful and very easy to use.”
That’s all there is to it. Echo will remember any keystroke, even those that use the command and option keys, so you can replay any mix of keystrokes.
Echo replays everything since you last clicked the mouse or used the echo key. You should try to avoid typing while Key Tools is typing, or else keystrokes from you and Key Tools will be mixed up.
Shareware Notice
Key Tools is shareware, if you use it please send 15$ (US) to:
Dawson Dean, Attn: Software Publishing
654 Blair Ave
Piedmont, CA 94611
To report bugs, or for more information, you may reach me online at the following addresses:
Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Limited Warranty on Media and Manual
Dawson Dean makes no warranty, either explicit or implied, with respect to this software, its quality, performance, or fitness for a particular purpose. This software and manual are sold “as is”, and you the purchaser are assuming the entire risk as to its quality and performance.
In no event will Dawson Dean be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software or its documentation. In particular, Dawson Dean shall have no liability for any damage to programs or data used with this product, including the cost of recovering or repairing such programs or data.
The warranty and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, express or implied.
