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Open Source Quick Tips Software

A Tool for Remapping Your Keyboard

I needed to rename hundreds of files individually, with underscores instead of spaces. I could have named all of my files using spaces, and used str_replace among other PHP tricks to change them to underscores. Instead I turned to the powers that be (read: Google) and discovered a handy tool, AutoHotkey. This tool allows you to do anything from re-mapping a key, to completely automating tasks via it’s native scripting language and macros.

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Direct from the AutoHotkey website:

AutoHotkey is a free, open-source utility for Windows. With it, you can:

  • Automate almost anything by sending keystrokes and mouse clicks. You can write a mouse or keyboard macro by hand or use the macro recorder.
  • Create hotkeys for keyboard, joystick, and mouse. Virtually any key, button, or combination can become a hotkey.
  • Expand abbreviations as you type them. For example, typing “btw” can automatically produce “by the way”.
  • Create custom data-entry forms, user interfaces, and menu bars. See GUI for details.
  • Remap keys and buttons on your keyboard, joystick, and mouse.
  • Respond to signals from hand-held remote controls via the WinLIRC client script.
  • Run existing AutoIt v2 scripts and enhance them with new capabilities.
  • Convert any script into an EXE file that can be run on computers that don’t have AutoHotkey installed.

This thing already saved me two hours of shift clicking by allowing me to remap my underscore to the spacebar. Totally a five-star piece of software and my open source recommendation of the month.