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Enso Gives Keyboard Commands to Windows Users
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."
Aren't I paying a subscription so I *don't* have to look at ads? Perhaps I'm missing something in this "article"...
"The need to build the internet comes from something inside us, something programmed... something we can't resist."
My thoughts:
Ive been beta testing it for a handful of days. Ive never heard of quicksilver, and all that (PC user) so Im not sure what to make of the comparison- but Ill say the following things:
The quasimodal activation is what they wanted to emphasis, but it takes some getting used to. The caps lock key is the key in question quasi-modal means you have to hold it down while typing (like shift) long commands which requires some interesting hand movements. Further- for long commands like open with internet explorer (since its not a default browser on my system) then you have tab to complete the command like other CLIs but since youre already holding the caps key down, its really strange IMO . They do have a mode lock, but they discourage use.
-I sent some feedback during the beta about the memory usage 23-35MB at any given time seems a bit high for a launcher, but a)its beta , b) YMMV and c)You may not care about that.
-Actual usage is great. I like the learn where you can make shortcuts that dont clutter up your file system, it has a real-time list of applications/docs/etc that gets filtered out as you type your command and you can tab-complete or just arrow down if you want.
-Spellcheck, which is a much touted initial proof of concept feature of Enso, seems odd when you only want to spell check single word the spell check interface takes a second to load up (on both of my admittedly older & slower machines) and takes up the whole screen with a giant text box which seems like overkill. You can use the define command I think and get a did you mean prompt which is nice.
-Getting quick access to commonly worded applications (like internet explorer) requires a shortcut (I used ie obviously) but you cant combine that with the open with command. open ie opens up IE, but the open with ie gives me an is not a command error message.
Also Id like to say the best part of this interface is the subtle messaging/feedback system they have. Feedback is large and unmistakable and clear, yet still manage to stay out of your way.
My final thought is that the WSJ article misses the point of spellcheck. Although I agree that its a bit clumsy at times, its point is to break apart the notion of a different spellcheck with a different dictionary for every single application on your system. You have to learn the shortcut key for each one and build/add/ignore dictionaries for all as well.
Enso (thankfully) seeks to a put a single spellcheck interface that is universal in all applications.
Wasn't this sort of stuff available in Linux years ago?
Isn't this almost a step backwards? I mean, if you ask me, command line was always simpler and faster for me, but too many people were confused by "all that weird stuff you have to type."
So in came the GUIs and icons.
Now we're coming full circle and replacing GUIs and icons with command line again?
My blog
QuickKeys for the macintosh essentially did all of this and more 15 years ago. nothing new here, move along.
...vividly encapsulates that post-Watergate/pre-punk/coked-up moment when you could trust no one, least of all yourself.
From the article: You lose the normal use of the Caps Lock key.
That is easily the best feature of the entire program.
Apparently, it requires upwards of two dozen megs of memory for a "humane" hotkey launcher. And you get to pay $25-40 for it.
Google Desktop Search is free, it pops up with a double-tap of ctrl (and doesn't require you to hold down keys), it autocompletes, with executables first, and it's taking about 5 megs.
Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
1.) Create a directory somewhere on your computer and create shortcuts there to programs you use the most.
2.) Add that directory to your "Path" Environment Variable under System Properties > Advanced.
3.) Rename the shortcuts you created to simple words, ie Firefox = fire, Thunderbird = mail, Winamp = amp.
That's it. To start these programs, [WIN] + r, then type the program you want.
I use it all the time and works great.
You can run more advanced commands by editing shortcut properties adding parameters to the commands and such.
____ plex
The Wall Street Journal's Walter S. Mossberg's latest column apparently missed a writeup on a existing software system called Emacs. Emacs is software written by Humans. The software allows Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD, Amiga, ITS, TOPS-20, Solaris, HP-UX, Multics, DOS, and Apple ][ users to do common tasks, like launching programs, spellchecking (M-$), or Googling (W3M) for search terms, but what's interesting is that it allows you to do these tasks by use of the keyboard. From the article: 'There are many implementations of Emacs products, which can be downloaded anywhere. One, called Emacs, allows you edit text, Java, C++, C#, Lisp, Perl, XML, HTML, Relax NG, ADA, and other obscure languages, to launch programs and switch among windows via typed commands, do spell-checking, and to look up the meaning of words. Most versuins of Emacs also include a simple calculator and the ability to launch Google searches.' Humans are already able to write their own commands for Emacs using the ELisp extension language, not only in current versions, but in all versions all the way back to the pre-GNU ITS version (which itself then used TECO as the extension language.
Maybe this software does something "more", but keyboard shortcuts are already built into Windows. I use it to launch Cygwin Rxvt terminal windows all the time. You just put it in your Start Menu and then right-click, Properties, and enter something in "Shortcut key". It works no matter what program I'm using.. I use Ctrl-Shift-F10 to launch Rxvt, and I have yet to see a situation where some program stops shortcut key from working. Similarly I launch Calculator with Ctrl-Shift-F12, etc.
Um, has anyone ever heard of Windows+R? It's called the run menu, and if you don't need a big bloated app it works great. For those who would prefer to do less legwork, and let the machine handle it, here are 2 free alternatives:
This http://www.autohotkey.com/ is autohotkey. Universal windows auto-complete(no more typing your name or your address, or any words you tend to misspell), ridiculous hotkey action, it's all scripting, so you can make your scripts into exes and use them on any windows computer anywhere.
This http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/ is slickrun. Windows Run++, pretty much. Windows+q opens your run window, and you can program a bunch of features, it has autocomplete, yadda yadda yadda, it tells me it's using 8k, YMMV.
Or you could buy something that has some obvious flaws and less features. You know, if you are into that kind of stuff. Oh, and it's definitely a slashvertisement when you talk about shitty products that you have to pay for, instead of brilliant, old products that are free. In case you were wondering.
Except you don't get to type with your left pinky finger cause it's holding down the caps lock. And it can't do things like "move this file to here." And it's $25 instead of free.
I'm in the hole of the broadband donut.
I've got all of the programs I frequently use assigned to keyboard shortcuts already, through the Windows start menu.
Ctrl-Alt-C brings up Calculator
Ctrl-Alt-N brings up Notepad
All you need is a shortcut to that application (or file, or website) somewhere in your Start Menu. From that shortcut's Properties, you can assign any key combination you like in the "Shortcut" textbox.
And while the unified spellcheck is a nice feature, I use Microsoft Office for nearly everything I do... so, I already have that. It shares the dictionary across applications.
-David
Aza Raskin, the owner of the company, is the son of Macintosh co-creator and User Interface Il Duce Jeff Raskin.
Don't blame me, I voted for Baltar.
If you're looking for a QuickSilver-esque app for Windows, there's a good candidate called Colibri. I've been using it for months and I am totally addicted to it. Small, fast, useful, free (beer). The developer is also very accessible via his forum. http://colibri.leetspeak.org/
no longer working for cnet
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.
--
U.S. government violence in Iraq encourages other violence.
I covered this for Computer Power User magazine a few months back: Launchy, over at http://www.launchy.net/.
This free, Open Source software has many sterling qualities, including:
- extremely fast
- looks great by default, and is skinnable too
- takes less than 7mb of RAM while running, and no discernible CPU cycles
- uses Alt+Space to activate/deactivate, so you can keep your CAPS LOCK key and your left pinky too
- autocompletes text as if by magic
- opens applications, files, and websites
- opens bookmarks
- has calculator built-in
- doesn't cost $25 (or whatever)
Hey look, I'm still using my Apple II once in a while, and respect the Raskins as much as the next guy, but that's no reason to use an inferior, more expensive product.
What I do is co-opt the "favorites" menu for shortcuts.
1) Put shortcuts into the favorites menu.
2) If any two share the same first letter, rename.
Access with separate keystrokes
[WIN] (brings up start menu)
a (goes into favs menu)
[first letter] (runs shortcut)
So to get to Firefox, I type [WIN] a f, for Cygwin it's [WIN] a c, etc.
This method works best if you don't use IE, obviously. You can keep the "Links" folder from showing up in the start menu by making it hidden.
Terminate and Stay Resident programs are going to revolutionize the computing experience!!
Autohotkey is not for mere mortals (end users). I just tried out the latest version. You click the "open" action on the tray icon and you'll get a grey scripting window. End users would probably want to see a mapped key summary on the default page instead.
I can't understand why people pay for stuff like this. Okay, a system-wide spellchecker is cool, but a hotkey launcher? I'm a mouse hater myself (not in the Disney sense... er, ok, maybe that applies too).
Google desktop + web search == [Ctrl, Ctrl].
A great deal of what needs doing can be done with standard key combos plus a few links ("shortcut" files) in a folder that's in your %PATH% environment variable. Then it's [Windows key + R] to get a Run prompt, and e.g. "ff" for FireFox, "ie" for that other browser, "vlc," "mmjb," "notepad2," "pskill iexplore.exe," etc.
Most Windows keyboards have a context menu key on them now anyway -- usually to the left of the RH [Ctrl] key -- so context-specific commands don't require a mouse either. A registry entry can add a command to any file type, complete with a shortcut key.
Really, I rarely have to find my wireless mouse between the couch cushions, and I don't have any special software installed. Their app integration sounds cool and all, but just using a series of standard key combos [Ctrl + C], [Ctrl, Ctrl], [Ctrl + V], [Enter] is so simple that I haven't been motivated to find a better approach.
Pi Ran Out
I see a lot of people missing the point of the Enso launcher program.
Just because you have a bunch of hotkeys setup doesn't matter, because the point is that they only work on your own machine. You have to remember what they are, and god forbid a program already has that key combination in use. The point of the holding the Caps Lock key down while entering your command (other than just getting rid of that damn key) is that you have no new windows to deal with, you can't think you are typing in your command when you didn't focus the keyboard on the "ENTER YOUR COMMAND HERE" window.
On top of the individual uses for the universal spell check and launcher is the whole Enso system. The system is based in such a way that it can provide system-wide commands, instead of application specific, without getting in the way. Everyone has their own solution for opening their common programs, but the Enso system goes beyond that and lets you open any program available without having to look up a key combo or directory.
I'm looking forward to seeing Enso grow even more.