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Enso Gives Keyboard Commands to Windows Users

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the as-humane-as-cold-unfeeling-software-can-be dept.

illuminatedwax writes "The Wall Street Journal's Walter S. Mossberg's latest column is a writeup on a new software system called Enso. Enso is from a small software startup called Humanized, led by Aza Raskin. The software allows Windows users to do common tasks, like launching programs, spellchecking, or Googling for search terms, but what's interesting is that it allows you to do these tasks from within any program in Windows by use of the keyboard. From the article: 'There are two initial Enso products, which can be downloaded at humanized.com. One, called Enso Launcher, allows you to launch programs and switch among windows via typed commands. The other, called Enso Words, allows you to do spell-checking, even when the program you're using doesn't include that capability, and to look up the meaning of words. Both products also include a simple calculator and the ability to launch Google searches.' Humanized says that users will be able to program their own commands for Enso in future versions."

2 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Already Built-in solution for running programs by plexium_nerd · · Score: 5, Interesting

    1.) Create a directory somewhere on your computer and create shortcuts there to programs you use the most.

    2.) Add that directory to your "Path" Environment Variable under System Properties > Advanced.

    3.) Rename the shortcuts you created to simple words, ie Firefox = fire, Thunderbird = mail, Winamp = amp.

    That's it. To start these programs, [WIN] + r, then type the program you want.

    I use it all the time and works great.

    You can run more advanced commands by editing shortcut properties adding parameters to the commands and such.

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  2. FREE: AutoHotKey and AutoIt. AHKey is FOSS. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Am I not understanding something? Both AutoHotKey and AutoIt seem to have everything this new program has, including auto-completion and any amount of programmability.

    Use the free, open source AutoHotkey to make keyboard shortcuts to run programs and enter text. AutoHotkey is actively developed. Often the AutoHotKey developer, Chris Mallett, releases 3 versions a month to incorporate user's suggestions. (Windows only)

    Use AutoIt to simulate keyboard entries and mouse clicks and when you need complicated decision-making. Download AutoIt with the SciTE auto-completion IDE. The SciTE editor makes writing and testing AutoIt programs and compiling the finished results very easy.

    Both of these programs are very sophisticated, apparently the best available, come with compilers, and are FREE. Both are completely programmable.

    For example, I've written an AutoHotKey program that uses a shortcut to toggle between Windows shortcut keys and WordStar/Brief control-key editing commands. I like to avoid taking the time to touch the mouse.

    AutoIt is great for automating installations of software. You can compile all the installation files into the AutoIt file, and have AutoIt set permissions and copy files during the installation.

    Both AutoHotKey and AutoIt allow programming your own GUIs.

    Both AutoHotKey and AutoIt need an addition: A GUI method of defining keyboard shortcuts, for unskilled users.

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    U.S. government violence in Iraq encourages other violence.