Contents
Contents for ShortKeys™

ShortKeys is a macro utility allowing you to set up replacement text or paragraphs for any given number of user defined keystrokes.  ShortKeys monitors the keyboard activity on a global nature and anytime a user defined keystroke combination is typed in, it will be replaced with the replacement text.

What does it do?

Tutorial

Commonly Asked Questions

Ordering Information

Network Considerations

Program Usage

Command Line Parameters

Editing

File Commands

Input Window

Main Window

Options

Specifications

Symbols

Other Topics

Upgrade and Support Policy

License, Copyright and Disclaimer

INI File


Upgrade and Support Policy

Upgrade Policy

The code (.EXE file) for the licensed and unlicensed versions of the program are identical.  It is the presence of a file SHTK951X.DLL that is supplied with the licensed version that causes the program to behave in a licensed fashion. The presence of the DLL will also cause any further versions of ShortKeys that still bear the 1.x release number to behave as licensed versions, wherever you obtain them from. Versions that bear the 1.x release number will generally be for minor enhancements and bug-fixes. Any release containing major new functionality will bear the release number 2.x, and an upgrade fee will likely be chargeable.

NOTE: You may not distribute copies of the licensed version of this product. You may not distribute the SHTK951X.DLL file in any form.  The free Lite version may be distributed and does not make use of this file.

We will make new versions of ShortKeys available via the usual sources such as on-line services like CompuServe, AOL, MSN, the Internet and other BBSs and via disk vendors, shareware CD-Roms, etc.

The prime location for new releases are as follows:

 Internet: World Wide Web: http://www.shortkeys.com

                 FTP Site: ftp://ftp.smartcode.com

           ftp://ftp.shortkeys.com

If you do acquire a newer version of ShortKeys simply ensure that the SHTK951X.DLL file you received when you licensed is either in the directory that the ShortKeys program is in or is in your WINDOWS directory.

Getting Support

Before you reach for the phone, please make sure you have looked through this Help File first. If you have a question that this Help File doesn't answer, or are reporting what appears to be a bug then we will be pleased to hear from you. But if it is a question that is answered in this Help file then all we will do is point you to the relevant section, and you will just get an answer a little bit slower. This is not meant to be awkward, but we try to keep our costs down to allow us to produce this high quality software at value-for-money prices, and answering support calls is an expensive undertaking. After all, some of the major software companies either charge for support or provide it on premium-price phone numbers. We don't want to have to do that.

USA

Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

P.O. Box 354

Bountiful, UT 84011-0354

USA

Phone:	801 295-1890

Fax:	801 299-1781

E-Mail:	info@wintools.com

United Kingdom

Oakley Data Services,

Lion Buildings, Market Place

Uttoxeter, Staffs, ST14 8HZ

United Kingdom

Phone: 	(+44) (0)1889 565064

Fax:	(+44) (0)1889 563219

E-Mail:	info@smartcode.com

Other

Please direct all correspondence to Insight Software Solutions, Inc. in the USA.

This program is authored by:  Insight Software Solutions, Inc.


License, Copyright and Disclaimer

Agreement

The use of this program indicates your understanding and acceptance of the following terms and conditions. This license shall supersede any verbal or written statement or agreement to the contrary. If you do not understand or accept these terms you must cease using this product immediately.

Copyright

This product is © Copyright 1996-98 by Insight Software Solutions, Inc. This product is protected by United States copyright law and various international treaties.

Disclaimer

This product and/or license is provided as is, without any representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any representations or endorsements regarding the use of, the results of, or performance of the product, its appropriateness, accuracy, reliability, or correctness. The entire risk as to the use of this product is assumed by the user and/or licensee. Insight Software Solutions, Inc. does not assume liability for the use of this product beyond the original purchase price of the software. In no event will Insight Software Solutions, Inc. be liable for additional direct or indirect damages including any loss of profits or other incidental or consequential damages arising from any defects, or the use or inability to use the software, even if Insight Software Solutions, Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Restrictions

You may not use, copy, modify, translate, or transfer the software, documentation, or any copy except as expressly defined in this agreement. You may not attempt to unlock or bypass any licensing algorithm utilized by the program. You may not remove or modify any copyright notices.

The evaluation version of this product may be freely distributed. The license enabling file which disables the reminder screens, and that you receive with a full license to the product, may not be distributed by anyone without the prior written authorization of Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

License for usage

You have the non-exclusive right to use the program only by a single person, on a single computer at a time. You may physically transfer the program from one computer to another, provided that the program is only installed on a single computer at a time.  Network deployment is only permitted if you have purchased licenses sufficient to cover the number of copies concurrently in use.

Back-Up Copies

You may make one copy of the software solely for "back-up" purposes. The backup copy must include any copyright notices contained in the original.

License Transfer

You may transfer the product to another party only if the other party agrees to all the terms and conditions of this agreement. If you transfer the program you must at the same time transfer any documentation and the back-up copy, or transfer any documentation and destroy the back-up copy. You may not retain any portion of the program, in any form, under any circumstance.

Terms

This license is effective until terminated. You may terminate it by destroying the software, the documentation and copies thereof.  This license will also terminate if you fail to comply with any terms or conditions of this agreement. You agree upon such termination to destroy all copies of the program and of the documentation, or return them to Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

Other Rights

All other rights not specifically granted in this license are reserved by Insight Software Solutions, Inc.


INI File
.INI File

A file named SHORTKEY.INI is created in the Windows directory. This file contains initialization information for the program such as the screen size, last file open, etc.  It is in ASCII format and may be edited directly if so desired, but should be done with caution.  Removal of this file will reset all values back to the program defaults the next time the program is run and the file will be recreated.


Specifications

Up to 10 characters may be entered as an original short key (which are to be replaced).  In addition, two Prefix Keys may optionally be entered in that are applied to all Original Short Keys created.  The following Prefix characters may be entered and used:

  The letters A through Z (both upper and lower case)

  The numbers 0 through 9

  The following characters:  !  @  #  $  %  ^  &  _  =  <  >  ?  .  ;  ,  *  -  /  +

Or you may assign your short keys to be used with a Suffix Key.  With the Suffix Key assigned, type in the short key and then press down the space bar or the enter key to activate the short key.

Up to 3000 characters may be entered as a replacement set of keys.

Up to 1000 original and replacement sets may be entered.

A virtually unlimited number of sets (sets of 1000 replacements) may be maintained.


What does it do?

ShortKeys is intended for use with programs that allow text input such as a word processor, text editor, e-mail program, etc.  ShortKeys replaces a word with a sentence, paragraph or several paragraphs allowing you to save time by not having to key in the sentence or paragraphs.  Errors in typing can be reduced.  You simply choose a word and associate it with the replacement text.  Enter up to 1000 word and replacement text combinations.

To make it work, run the program and all word and replacement combinations will be active.  Once ShortKeys is running, it will monitor all keyboard activity and if one of the specified words is used, then it will be erased and the replacement text will be keyed in its place.

Uses for ShortKeys are numerous.  Here are a few:

  Replacement of Personal Information

    Name, Address, Phone, Fax, E-Mail

    Web Site, Passwords

  E-Mail Tag Lines

  Customer Support/Support Centers

    Replies in letters

    Replies via e-mail

  Maintain Legal Documents/Paragraphs

  Maintain Medical/Dental Documents/Paragraphs

  Maintain Real Estate Documents/Paragraphs

  Maintain Documents/Paragraphs for Insurance, Banking or literally any other profession

  Sales/Quotes

  Letterhead

  Order Entry

  Secretaries--Letter Greetings, Closings

  The Possibilities go on...


Tutorial

You can use the following guide to see a quick demonstration of ShortKeys.

1.   Run the ShortKeys Program.

2.   Tab to the "Prefix Keys" box.

3.   Enter the following: ##

4.   Select EDIT | ADD SHORT KEY from the main menu.

5.   In the box titled "Original Short Key" enter the following: test

      (please use lower case)

6.   Tab to the box labeled "Replacement Text"

7.   Enter the following: The brown cow jumped over the moon.

8.   Click on the "Update" button.

9.   Run the Windows "notepad" program  (Click on Start, select run option and type in notepad and press the OK button.)

10.  Once inside the notepad program, type the following: ##test

11.  The ##test will be erased and replaced with the text, The brown cow jumped over the moon.

12.  Return to the ShortKeys program.

13.  Click on the Suffix Keys button to activate this option.

14.  Return to the Windows "notepad" program.

15.  Type test and then hit either the Space Bar or the Enter Key.

16.  The word test will be erased and replaced with the text, The brown cow jumped over the moon.


Main Window

The main window of ShortKeys displays the current active list of Short Keys and their replacement text.

The menu commands provide a number of options for using the program.

File - This menu item allows options for opening or creating a new set of Short Keys, as well as import and export functionality.

Edit - This menu item allows you to add a new short key, edit an existing short key, delete a short key or activate/deactivate a short key.

Options - The Options menu  provides a variety of configuration options such as Displaying a Counter, Low Memory Usage, Solitary Usage, Case Sensitive Usage,  Clipboard Usage, Networking and for Windows 95 or NT 4.0 users, placing an icon in the system tray.

Prefix Keys

The Prefix Keys are used to designate up to two characters that are to be added  to the front end of every short key.  If you wanted every one of your short keys to start with two pound signs (##), you could add these to the front of each short key.  It would then be very unlikely that you would have a replacement occur when you did not desire one, since you would not normally be typing ## in front of your text.  An alternative to adding the ## to each short key is to add it once as the Prefix Keys.  So if your Prefix Keys were set to ## and your short key was set to test, then you would have to type in ##test before a replacement would occur.

Suffix Keys

Another alternative is to use the Suffix Keys option.  With this option activated, you would just type in your short key and then press down either the Space Bar or the Enter Key.   If your short key was set to test, then type the word test while in another Windows application and press either the Space Bar or the Enter Key so that the text replacement would occur.


Input Window

The input window allows you to add or edit existing short keys.  Enter the name of the short key and enter the replacement text.  Click the update button to save the short key/replacement text combination.  You may choose between the clipboard and keyboard options to place data in the replacement text.  The Options section provides additional information to help you decide between the clipboard and keyboard options.

Original Short Keys

Enter the name of the short key in the box, if you are adding a short key.  These are the keystrokes that you will type in other applications so that the expanded or replacement text will appear.  Each short key may be up to 10 characters in length.

Clipboard / Keyboard

If you selected "Use Individual Settings" from the "Clipboard" options, you need to choose between the clipboard and keyboard settings.  This will specify how the replacement keys are sent to the application you are using.  Using the clipboard option will send the text to the Windows clipboard and paste it into your application.  This is generally a much quicker insertion method.  The keyboard option will send the text through the keyboard as if it were being typed in.  Just point the mouse at the option you want and click to select your preference.

If you selected the "Use Clipboard for All" or "Use Keyboard for All" options, then the Clipboard and Keyboard buttons will be grayed out.

Symbols

ShortKeys offers support for over 125 different international symbols and other characters.  Click on the Symbols button to bring up a display of all symbols available for use as replacement text.

Replacement Keystrokes

This is the text that will be pasted into your active application.  You can either type the replacement text into this field or copy and paste from other applications  or short keys.  Each short key may contain a maximum of 3,000 replacement characters.

Update

Clicking on the Update button will save the short key or any changes made.

Cancel

Clicking on the Cancel button will abort the creation of the new short key or any changes made.

Menu Commands

EDIT | CUT - Standard Windows command.  Highlight text in the Replacement Window and click on EDIT | CUT or use the hot key CTRL X.  This will delete the highlighted text and place it in the Windows clipboard.

EDIT | COPY - Standard Windows command.  Highlight text in the Replacement Window and click on EDIT | COPY or use the hot key CTRL C.  This will copy the text into the Windows clipboard.

EDIT | PASTE - Standard Windows command.  Place the cursor in the Replacement Window and click on EDIT | PASTE or use the hot key CTRL V.  This will paste text from the Windows clipboard into the Replacement Window.

EDIT | DELETE - Standard Windows command.  Highlight text in the Replacement Window and click on EDIT | DELETE or use the hot key CTRL D.  This will delete the highlighted text.

EDIT | INSERT SYMBOLS - Activate the Symbols list for adding to the Replacement window by clicking on EDIT | INSERT SYMBOLS or use the hot key CTRL S.  This can also be accomplished by clicking on the Symbols button.


Options

OPTIONS | DISPLAY COUNTER COLUMN

This option simply places a counter column on the main window of ShortKeys.  The column runs on the left side of the shortkey names and indicates how may shortkey replacements you have defined.

OPTIONS | LOW MEMORY USAGE

ShortKeys offers an option to reduce memory usage where it may be appropriate under certain conditions.  This option can be set via the OPTIONS | LOW MEMORY USAGE main menu command.  A check mark beside this menu command indicates that the low memory usage option is activated.  The default setting is to not have the low memory usage option active.

Normally, ShortKeys retrieves all defined Short Key Macros into memory and plays them back when appropriate.  Since ShortKeys can handle up to 1000 Short Keys which can be up to 3000 characters each, the potential memory usage, in theory, could reach 3 megabytes if usage was maximized!  With the low memory usage option on, the replacement keys are not maintained in memory, but are read from a file on the hard drive whenever they are needed.

So how does this impact me?  If you are concerned about memory usage, then you may want to choose the low memory usage option if you are using a lot of short keys and if the replacement text is large in size such as paragraphs of information.  Otherwise, the default memory usage is likely best with a negligible performance gain.

OPTIONS | SOLITARY USAGE

ShortKeys provides two methods of "Short Key" detection.  They are the Solitary Usage and the non Solitary Usage.  This option can be set via the OPTIONS | SOLITARY USAGE main menu command.  A check mark beside this menu command indicates that the solitary usage option is activated.  The non solitary usage option is the default setting.

Solitary Usage

The solitary usage option indicates that a short key will be recognized only when the short key is preceded by a character or key that is not valid as part of the short key name.  Let's look at a couple examples to illustrate what this means.

  Assume your short key was named red and replacement text was a bright color.

  If you were to key in the word Fred, the replacement would not take place.  Why? Because "F" is a valid character in a short key name.  You really didn't want the replacement to take place because you were typing Fred and not red.

  However, if you were to key in the word red preceded by a blank space, the replacement would take place.  Why?  Because a blank space is not valid as part of a short key.

Valid characters for short keys are listed in the specifications help topic.

Non Solitary Usage

The non solitary usage option indicates that a short key will be recognized whenever the short key text is keyed in even if it is part of another word.  Let's look at the example above to illustrate what this means.

  Assume your short key was named red and replacement text was a bright color.

  If you were to key in the word Fred, the replacement would take place and you would end up with Fa bright color.

Normally, you would use the "non solitary usage" mode and add prefix keys to ensure that you did not get an accidental replacement.

NOTE: Pressing down the CTRL or ALT key is detected by ShortKeys and is interpreted as a key being pressed.  Therefore, if the ALT or CTRL key is pressed in the middle of a short key that you are typing, the short key will not be recognized and the replacement will not be made.

OPTIONS | CASE SENSITIVE

ShortKeys offers an option to use case sensitivity in the short key names.  This option can be set via the OPTIONS | CASE SENSITIVE main menu command.  A check mark beside this menu command indicates that the case sensitive option is activated.  Use of case sensitivity is the default setting.

With case sensitivity on, you must key in a short key exactly as it appears (upper and lower case letters) in order to have the replacement work.  Without case sensitivity, you can key in either an upper or lower case letter of a short key and have the replacement work.  Here are a few examples:

ShortKey	Case Sensitive	Not Case Sensitive

Mike	Mike	mike

tagline	tagline	TaGLIne

Address	Address	addreSS

OPTIONS | CLIPBOARD

ShortKeys offers the option to have all of your short keys inserted into other applications using the Windows clipboard (Use Clipboard for All)  or via the Keyboard option (Use Keyboard for All).  Or you can set each individual short key to either the Clipboard or Keyboard option with the (Use Individual Settings) option.  Place a check mark beside any of the three options to activate your preferred setting.  Use of the clipboard is the default setting.

Replacement text can be sent to your application (when you key in a short key) in one of two ways.  One method is to have ShortKeys copy the replacement text to the Windows Clipboard and then tell your application to paste it into your current document.  The other method is to have ShortKeys send the replacement text to your application as if it were being typed from the keyboard.

What method is best and is there a time to use one or the other method?  The Pros and Cons of using the clipboard are listed below and should help clarify this.

Clipboard Pros

Text replacement is very quick.

The clipboard option should work with most programs and we feel it is the best option.

Clipboard Cons

The clipboard option may not work with some programs.  If your program does not support the clipboard, it will not work.

The clipboard option may require an extra step with some programs.  If your program does support the clipboard, but does not use the standard "CTRL-V" command for pasting text, then you will need to invoke the paste command independently.  See Commonly Asked Questions for more information.

Keyboard Simulation Pros

Works with any program.

Keyboard Simulation Cons

Text replacement will be slow and noticeably so for large sized text.

OPTIONS | NETWORK

Selecting this option will help ensure that ShortKeys operates smoothly over a network.  Network Considerations provides more detail about this option.

OPTIONS | PLACE IN SYSTEM TRAY

The "Place in System Tray" option, when checked, will place a ShortKeys icon into the Windows 95 or NT system tray.  The system tray is located at the right end of the bar that lists each application currently running.   The icon in the system tray will serve two purposes.  First, it will alert you to the fact that ShortKeys is running in the background.  Second, clicking on the icon with the right mouse button will activate the program and bring it to the foreground.  With this option invoked, you can choose to "Hide" ShortKeys from the desktop.


Edit

EDIT | ADD SHORT KEY

You may add a new short key and replacement text by selecting EDIT | ADD SHORT KEY from the main menu or choosing the appropriate speed button.  This will display the Short Key Input Window where you can enter the short key and replacement text.

EDIT | EDIT SHORT KEY

You may edit an existing short key and its replacement text by highlighting the short key and then selecting EDIT | EDIT SHORT KEY from the main menu or choosing the appropriate speed button.  This will display the Short Key Input Window where you can edit the short key and replacement text.

EDIT | REMOVE SHORT KEY

You may delete an existing short key by highlighting the short key and then selecting EDIT | REMOVE SHORT KEY from the main menu or choosing the appropriate speed button.  You will be prompted to verify this action.

EDIT | ACTIVATE SHORT KEY

You may toggle between activating and deactivating an existing short key by selecting EDIT | ACTIVATE SHORT KEY from the main menu or choosing the appropriate speed button.  If a short key is deactivated, it will not execute the replacement text when typed in, but the definition is retained for future potential use.  This is helpful for those cases where you may not want to use a given replacement at a particular time, but plan to use it later.  Instead of deleting it and having to re-key it all back in later, you can simply deactivate it and then reactivate it at a later time.


File Commands

FILE | NEW FILE

Selecting FILE | NEW FILE from the menu of ShortKeys allows you to create a new set of short key and replacement text macros.  Multiple sets of macros can be maintained.  You may wish to maintain different sets of macros that you use with specific applications.

FILE | OPEN FILE

Selecting FILE | OPEN  FILE from the menu of ShortKeys allows you to open another set of short key replacement macros.  Multiple sets of macros can be maintained.  You may wish to maintain different sets of macros that you use with specific applications.  You can also create a new set of macros.

FILE | IMPORT ASCII DELIMITED FILE

The ASCII Delimited File format is supported by most other programs with import capabilities.  This format is an ASCII text file where each element of the database is surrounded in double quotes and separated by commas.  Each record is on an individual line.   By its very nature, an ASCII Delimited import is limited to simple text replacements--replacement text cannot span multiple lines.  If your replacement text occupies multiple lines, then you will need to use the "Import Text File" option below.  Contents of this file might look something like:

"phone","800-225-9832"

"name","Fred B. Smith"

"address","123 West Avenue, Small Town, USA  99999"

FILE | IMPORT TEXT FILE

Selecting FILE | IMPORT TEXT FILE from the menu of ShortKeys allows you to import a group of ShortKey combinations.  Th text file must be  in a specific format.  An improper format will cause unpredictable results.   The Exporting of the Text File (below) will save the file in the format that must be used.  The format requires an "<ITEM NAME> tag followed by the shortkey all on one line.  The next line or set of lines contains the replacement text.  The replacement text can span multiple lines.  The next shortkey to be imported will again start with the "<ITEM NAME> tag starting on a new line.  An example appears below:

<ITEM NAME>issadd

Insight Software Solutions, Inc.

P.O. Box 354

Bountiful, UT 84011

<ITEM NAME>Lic1

Licensor grants to Licensee a non-exclusive and non-transferable license to use ShortKeys upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

FILE | EXPORT TEXT FILE

Selecting FILE | EXPORT TEXT FILE from the menu of ShortKeys allows you to export your shortkeys to a text file that can readily be imported back into ShortKeys.  The file format is the one displayed above under :File | Import Text File".

FILE | OUTPUT SHORT KEY LIST

The Output Short Key List option allows you to create a text file containing all the short key names and replacement texts.  This text file can be imported into any word processor or text editor so that a hard copy of short keys and replacement text can be maintained if so desired.

FILE | HIDE

This option will only be available if the "Place In System Tray" option is being used.  Making this selection will hide ShortKeys so that it disappears from the desktop and the program tray, but is still actually running.  To unhide the program, you would need to right click on the ShortKeys icon in the system tray.


Command Line Parameters

Command Line Parameters are commands that can be passed to the program when the program is first run.  The following options are available:

/B (Browse Mode)

This places ShortKeys in a browse mode where the macro data cannot be modified. Changes can be made to the configurations such as program activation key, screen size etc.  In addition, different macro files can be loaded in.  This option can be especially helpful in administrating uniformity of macros over a network.

/BA (Browse All Mode)

This places ShortKeys in a browse mode where nothing can be changed.  The only option given to the user is to terminate the program.  This option can be especially helpful in administrating uniformity of macros over a network.

/F<FileName>  (Load Macro File)

This allows you to specify a specific macro file for loading on startup of ShortKeys.  <Filename> is replaced with the macro file name.  A full path along with the "SHK" extension on the file name must be used.  NOTE: File names and paths must have not have spaces in them or they will be interpreted as multiple command line parameters.  You will be required to use the Short File Name equivalent if they do.

/N (Network)

This option  forces the program to use the Network Mode.

/S (Synchronize Network)

This option is only useful if the Network Mode is active.  This option forces the network synchronization option to be used.

/SMxx (Synchronization Minutes)

This option is only useful if the Network Mode is active.  "xx" should be substituted with the number of minutes that macro file synchronization should take place.  Valid values are from 1 minute to 99 minutes.

/UP (Prefix Key)

This option turns on the Prefix Key usage

/US (Suffix Key)

This option turns on the Suffix Key usage

/Pxx (Prefix Key)

This option sets the current Prefix Key where "xx" should be substituted with a valid prefix keys.  Invalid prefix keys are ignored.

/CC (Clipboard)

This option sets the clipboard setting to "Use Clipboard For All"

 /CK (Clipboard)

This option sets the clipboard setting to "Use Keyboard For All"

/CI (Clipboard)

This option sets the clipboard setting to "Use Individual Settings"

/L (Low Memory)

This option turns on the "Low Memory" Option

/SOL (Solitary Usage)

This option turns on the "Solitary Usage" Option

/C (Case Sensitivity)

This option turns on the "Case Sensitivity" Option

/T (System Tray)

This option places an icon in the System Tray

Note: All of these options allow for a quick and easy setup for network considerations.  For example, users can be restricted from changing ShortKey data using one of the browse modes allowing manageable uniformity across the network.  Users can all access the same ShortKey file using the "Load Macro File" option so no configuration is required by first running the program.  Network usage can be enforced using the "Network" option., etc.


Networking Considerations

ShortKeys can be set up to run over a network with no ill effects.  The options for making sure ShortKeys can be run smoothly over a network can be accessed via the "Options | Network" menu command.  The following options can be found there:

File Locking of ShortKey Files

Choosing this option basically enables the networking capabilities of ShortKeys.  File locking will be performed preventing overwriting of data by 2 or more users.  If a user attempts to change any data in the shortkey file and the data they currently display has been altered by another user, the user will be notified that the data has been changed and the new data will be loaded and displayed.  Note: If you are not running ShortKeys over a network, you will be better off not selecting this option as you will avoid extra overhead required in checking for other users using the ShortKey file.  However, no harm will be done if it is checked and you are not on a network.

Automatic Synchronization Updating

This option is available to allow automatic updating of the data displayed for a given user.  This updating can be set to occur every minute, every two minutes on up to every 99 minutes.  For example, if the interval is set to 5 minutes and another user makes a change to the same macro file that you have open, then within 5 minutes, the macro data will automatically be redisplayed in ShortKeys on your computer to reflect the changes made without you doing anything.

When running ShortKeys over a network, you may wish to prevent certain users from changing any of the ShortKey data.  It is possible for this to occur by using Command Line Parameters.

NOTE: Please note that multi-user networking of this product requires site licensing.


Commonly Asked Questions

I typed out the Short Key in my program, but the replacement did not work?  Why not?

There are a few possibilities.

1.  First, make sure ShortKeys is running.

2.  Most likely, the problem is that you actually pressed another key on the keyboard somewhere in the middle of typing in your short key.  For instance, if you press down the CTRL key or the ALT key or used the backspace key to change an error, this will interrupt the sequence of keys that ShortKeys sees.

3.  You may be using the "Solitary Usage" option which prevents the shortkey from being seen by ShortKeys in the way you might think.

4. It is also possible that you have run another program after running ShortKeys that installs itself improperly into the Windows Keyboard Hooks.  This usually exhibits itself most often when you have ShortKeys and other programs loaded in your startup group.  One of the other programs is being loaded after ShortKeys and is effectively blocking access to the keyboard.  There are two solutions to this problem after finding the program causing the problem.  They are: 1. Make sure ShortKeys is loaded (run) after the program that is causing the problem.  This is only a work-around.  The real solution is 2. Get a fixed copy of the problem program from the manufacturer.

I typed out the Short Key in my program.  The short key was removed, but the replacement never appeared.  What's going on?

You are likely using the "Use Clipboard" option and your application does not support the standard "CTRL-V" command for pasting data into it.  You have two options to try and overcome this problem.  1. ShortKeys will have copied the replacement data to the Windows clipboard.  After you see your short key disappear, you can invoke the clipboard paste command that is supported by your program.  2. You can turn off the "Use Clipboard" option in ShortKeys and the replacement text will be sent to your application as if it were being typed in.

There are funny looking boxes showing under the replacement keys in the list box on the main window.  What are these?

If you have special characters such as the "Enter" key in your text, then these will show up as little boxes in the list box.  There should normally be no concern that these show up.

My replacement text is quite long, yet only the first 30 characters show up in the list box on the main window.  Is there any reason for this?

Yes, you have selected the Low Memory Usage option.  With this option activated, only the first 30 characters of the replacement string shows in this list box.  If you need to see the full text, choose the Options | Edit Short Key menu command or double click on the short key in the list box.

Does ShortKeys run under Windows NT?

Shortkeys 98 will run under both Windows 95 and NT.


Symbols

ShortKeys offers support for a number of international symbols and other characters.  Clicking on the Symbols button from the Input Window brings up a display of all symbols available, as shown below.

To insert a symbol into your replacement text, you can take the following steps:

1) Place the cursor where you want the symbol to appear in the replacement text.

2) Click on the Symbol button to activate the above window.

3) Highlight the symbol you want to use and then click on the OK Button or you can double click on the desired symbol.

4) The symbol is inserted into the replacement text and you are back into the Input Window ready to continue adding or editing text.

Clicking on the Cancel button will return you to the Input Window without inserting any symbols.


Order Information

The evaluation copy of ShortKeys has a built-in order form that can be accessed using "Help | Order" from the main menu.  Ordering is also available via our web site at www.shortkeys.com.

We do offer discounts for multi-copy site licenses.   The discount schedule is as follows:

Single Copy	No Discount	($19.95)

2-10 copies	20% discount per copy	($15.96)

11-40 copies	30% discount per copy	($13.96)

41-100 copies	40% discount per copy	($11.97)

101-300 copies	50% discount per copy	  ($9.97)

301+	60% discount per copy	  ($7.98)

Contact information can be found in our Support topic in this help file.