Want a way to type special characters (like "ô") easily

  • Thread starter Thread starter J44xm
  • Start date Start date
J

J44xm

I'd like an easy way to type characters that don't have assigned keys on
the keyboard, such as an "o" with a circumflex (ô). I needn't say (but
apparently will regardless) that opening Character Map or doing Alt+0244
(for "ô") is troublesome.

So is there some program that, I suppose, will watch typed text and
replace customizable code strings with a special character? For example,
typing ;o^; might make an "ô." Thanks.
 
I'd like an easy way to type characters that don't have assigned keys
on the keyboard, such as an "o" with a circumflex (ô). I needn't say
(but apparently will regardless) that opening Character Map or doing
Alt+0244 (for "ô") is troublesome.

So is there some program that, I suppose, will watch typed text and
replace customizable code strings with a special character? For
example, typing ;o^; might make an "ô." Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've been using AllChars for years, and it does exactly what you want.
For example, to type "ô", you would actually press the -CNTL- key
followed by the "o" and "^". There are many accents and special
characters available using similar combinations. Another example is
-CNTL- "1" "2", giving you ½.

It is totally freeware and you can get it here:

http://allchars.zwolnet.com

--
Wayne in Phoenix

unmunge as w-e-b

*If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it.
*A mind is a terrible thing to lose.
 
I'd like an easy way to type characters that don't have assigned keys on
the keyboard, such as an "o" with a circumflex (ô). I needn't say (but
apparently will regardless) that opening Character Map or doing Alt+0244
(for "ô") is troublesome.

So is there some program that, I suppose, will watch typed text and
replace customizable code strings with a special character? For example,
typing ;o^; might make an "ô." Thanks.
Click to expand...


I use RemoteKeys for strange character(groups)

http://www.freewarehits.de/RemoteKeys.htm

Not exactly what you are looking for but maybe usable.

Haven fun, Fred
 
I've been using AllChars for years, and it does exactly what you want.
For example, to type "ô", you would actually press the -CNTL- key
followed by the "o" and "^". There are many accents and special
characters available using similar combinations. Another example is
-CNTL- "1" "2", giving you ½.

It is totally freeware and you can get it here:

http://allchars.zwolnet.com
Click to expand...

I'll 2nd AllChars ..... awesomely easy to use, works great.
 
I'd like an easy way to type characters that don't have assigned keys on
the keyboard, such as an "o" with a circumflex (ô). I needn't say (but
apparently will regardless) that opening Character Map or doing Alt+0244
(for "ô") is troublesome.

So is there some program that, I suppose, will watch typed text and
replace customizable code strings with a special character? For example,
typing ;o^; might make an "ô." Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hello!

When you have Win XP, no need of extra software, there is a setting that
allow you to type many other lenguages characters. AFAIK it is not
customizable. For typing "ô", the string or key combination is: shift+6
then o.

I found this tip in pcmag.com site and it is extremely useful. My mother
lenguage is spanish, my wife's is german, at the present we live in Italy
and this keyboard I am typing on it has an US layout and no problem at all
for typing any carachter of all this lenguages.

For other win verions I am not aware of any solution, sorry!
 
J44xm said:
I'd like an easy way to type characters that don't have assigned keys on
the keyboard, such as an "o" with a circumflex (ô).
Click to expand...
Here's another vote for AllChars. It's even better than DEC's old
"Compose", which doesn't run on 32-bit platforms: It doubles as an
outstanding autotyper, too, for inserting commonly-used text strings.
http://www.zwolnet.com
 
Wayne said:
I've been using AllChars for years, and it does exactly what you want.
For example, to type "ô", you would actually press the -CNTL- key
followed by the "o" and "^". There are many accents and special
characters available using similar combinations. Another example is
-CNTL- "1" "2", giving you ½.

It is totally freeware and you can get it here:

http://allchars.zwolnet.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for mentioning AllChars, looks good for the occasional need I have. Nice
that the author still provides a no-install version, too.

Mike Sa
 
ms said:
Wayne wrote:
Thanks for mentioning AllChars, looks good for the occasional need I
have. Nice that the author still provides a no-install version, too.

Mike Sa
Click to expand...

You're welcome!

--
Wayne in Phoenix

unmunge as w-e-b

*If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it.
*A mind is a terrible thing to lose.
 
Here's another vote for AllChars. It's even better than DEC's old
"Compose", which doesn't run on 32-bit platforms: It doubles as an
outstanding autotyper, too, for inserting commonly-used text strings.
http://www.zwolnet.com
Click to expand...

I haven't tried it yet, but the macro funtion may replace Keytext for me.

Keytext is undoubtedly by far the most useful bit of kit I've got, in terms
of how many times I use it, but is a bit overspecified for me, (like most
specialised apps, they pack to many things in, I'd like a quid for every
alarm program I've got that comes with something else, and I don't use
_any_ of them).

Anyhow it's payware

mike
 
J44xm said:
I'd like an easy way to type characters that don't have assigned keys
on the keyboard, such as an "o" with a circumflex (t). I needn't say
(but apparently will regardless) that opening Character Map or doing
Alt+0244 (for "t") is troublesome.

So is there some program that, I suppose, will watch typed text and
replace customizable code strings with a special character? For
example, typing ;o^; might make an "t." Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi J44xm,

The simplest way is to install from your Windows CD (or pre-installed
version) the USA International keybord.

Then " + e makes e
Then ^ + o makes o

and all the other diaciritcs. Make sure you can switch it from the
keybord (I use alt + left shift to get nback to the normal keyboard.

AFAIK this works in all versions of the Windows operatin system.

HtH
Dick
 
["rondkopf"; Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:19:55 GMT]
When you have Win XP, no need of extra software, there is a setting that
allow you to type many other lenguages characters. AFAIK it is not
customizable. For typing "ô", the string or key combination is: shift+6
then o.
Click to expand...

That sounds intriguing, but how would it know that I don't want to
actually type "^o"?
 
["Wayne"; Sun, 29 Aug 2004 04:16:07 GMT]
I've been using AllChars for years, and it does exactly what you want.
Click to expand...

Thanks, everyone, for your help. I'll look into AllChars and the built-in
WinXP option as well. I appreciate your assistance.
 
["J44xm"; Mon, 30 Aug 2004 00:39:01 GMT]
That sounds intriguing, but how would it know that I don't want to
actually type "^o"?
Click to expand...

Never mind! The other post answered this, I believe.
 
mike ring said:
the macro funtion may replace Keytext for me.
Click to expand...
Well, now, I don't use Allchars for any large blocks of
boilerplate, for example. My needs are simple: Repetitive URLs and
single-paragraph guarantees are my most common daily use. Personally,
I'd quibble with Allchars' publisher over whether the autotyping
function is/are "macro(s)". I may be wrong but, in my lexicon, "macro"
is a high-level instruction set that allows users to customize or
automate applications or operating environments while the Allchars
autotyper simply spools named text blocks, probably through the keyboard
buffer.
As an AmerEnglish-speaker I have not redefined any of Allchars'
ootb keyboard assignments: The few typographical characters that I use
are mnemonic and easily remembered---for example, am "em dash" is
"<RtCTRL>m-" (no quotes); neat! I assume that support for other
languages is equally well thought out.
I only use Allchars with one applictation and what I'd like to find
is some kind of scripter that willl start it only when that app starts.
I must confess to not being smart or diligent enough to figure out how
to do that, and only that, with any that I've found.
 
["Wayne"; Sun, 29 Aug 2004 04:16:07 GMT]
I've been using AllChars for years, and it does exactly what you
want.
Click to expand...

Thanks, everyone, for your help. I'll look into AllChars and the
built-in WinXP option as well. I appreciate your assistance.
Click to expand...

You're very welcome.

--
Wayne in Phoenix

unmunge as w-e-b

*If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it.
*A mind is a terrible thing to lose.
 
["Wayne"; Sun, 29 Aug 2004 04:16:07 GMT]
I've been using AllChars for years, and it does exactly what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
AllChars looks interesting, but (as the documentation says) it will only do
certain things in certain programs, or when a particular character set in an
application is current. So that's maybe two things to remember apart from the
actual key sequence.
I have been using Shortkeys Lite (free) from www.shortkeys.com
and have tried setting up a few diacriticals eg alt 160 = á from the keyboard
(if you can remember it). Shortkeys will allow you to create a key macro eg
type say # (hash) immediately followed by say 'a' gives á. Works in
NewsXpress anyway ...
 
AllChars looks interesting, but (as the documentation says) it will
only do certain things in certain programs, or when a particular
character set in an application is current. So that's maybe two things
to remember apart from the actual key sequence.
I have been using Shortkeys Lite (free) from www.shortkeys.com
and have tried setting up a few diacriticals eg alt 160 = á from the
keyboard (if you can remember it). Shortkeys will allow you to create
a key macro eg
type say # (hash) immediately followed by say 'a' gives á. Works in
NewsXpress anyway ...
Click to expand...

You wait for a bus for hours and then two turn up.....

Thanks for the link to shortkeys, I'll give it a try, it may be better for
what I want than AllChars.

The problem is, I paid for Keytext, and ditching an app I've spent money on
always makes me cry; but it is overspecified for my needs.

mike
 
Three

The Wonderful Icon will let you specify your own hot keys for non
standard characters.

Amongst other things.

http://www.thewonderfulicon.com/pages/features.htm
Click to expand...

That one's not quite what I want - I liked AllChars not so much for the
cdharacter set, but the macros? automated typing? whatever you call it;
either awkward password strings, or lumps of text for entering into various
boxes time after time.

But I really can't work out if AllChars or Shortkeys is better.

Or should I stick with keytext?

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure...

mike
 
Back
Top