About Launch Key 4
What is Launch Key?
Launch Key allows you to create simple shortcuts that do such things as open a document, launch an application,
mount a server volume, or even type your name and address--regardless of what program is in front at the time.
You can combine these actions to create simple "macros" that do more complex things like print a document, upload a
web site to a server, initiate a back-up, and so on.
Any macros you create can be actived either in a particular application (your FTP client, for instance), or in all applications.
This allows you to use the same keystroke to perform similar but different actions in different programs. For example,
you might create a shortcut assigned to cmd-opt-D to type the date in long format in MS Word for letters and such, and use the
same shortcut to type the date in short format in your note taking application. Launch Key allows you to assign sets of actions
not only to a hot key, but also a specific time or inactivity interval. An action is a plugin, which can be anything from launching a
Finder Object to automatically typing a long message. For example, you could assign a hot key to a set that launches your e-mail
application, creates a new message, types the address, and tabs into the message area.
Unlike most other macro utilities, Launch Key does not use any extensions or control panels to accomplish its task, thus minimizing
potential conflicts with other software. Instead, it is comprised of a small background-only application (called Launch Key), and a
control panel application (called Launch Key Control). The background application can be launched and quit via Launch Key Control
should the need arise (e.g., in low-memory situations), and, as desired, Launch Key Control may be moved out of the Control Panels
folder to any place else that's more convenient, and it will still function normally. Launch Key's plugins reside in the Application
Support folder in the System Folder.
What's New in Version 4?
Version 4.0.1 has numerous fixes over version 4.0.1, including:
- IMPORTANT: To improve Launch Key's response time with large sets, Launch Key now saves the preferences
only after quitting. Sets are no longer available immediately.
- Launch Key now uses substantially less memory.
- Menu Selection bug fixed for disabled menu items.
- A bug which potentially corrupted the preferences file has been fixed.
- Improved Launch Key Control's set list redraw speed.
- And more!
Launch Key 4.0 includes a number of improvements over v3.0, including:
- Multithreaded FBA! Launch Key is now multithreaded, so multiple sets can run at the same time.
- Launch Key now defines actions via plugins. That means that more plugins will become available
in the future, expanding Launch Key's capabilities.
- Timed activations: Launch Key can now launch sets at specific times. They can be activated daily, weekly,
or at a specific time in the future.
- Inactivity activations: Launch Key can now launch sets after a specified time of inactivity.
- New view options: With the show menu, you can view all sets, global sets, or those specific to a particular application.
- Many more actions: Automatic Menu Selection, Post Messages, Speak Messages, Play Sounds and more!
What's Required?
Launch Key 4.0 will run on any PowerPC-based Mac with Mac OS 8.1 or higher, including the iMac and Mac OS 9, or any PowerPC
Mac running System 7 with the Appearance extension (this latter configuration is not officially supported, however).