GlobalCommand 3 (.net)
GlobalCommand is a utility for sending commands to the computer via hotkeys (new), or a sequence of keystrokes. It’s been more than 3 years since GlobalCommand 1.0, and I’ve nearly finished up version 3.
For example: Typing $w can send ‘Now Playing: Paula Deanda – Walk Away’ to the program you typed it into. $p could also just tell iTunes to pause. You could also replace commonly misspelled words. “teh” can be mapped to “the.”
GlobalCommand is, as the name implies, program independent. GlobalCommand works in any application that uses keyboard input on Windows*. GlobalCommand can also map hot keys, Windows Flag Key + A could tell iTunes to start playing, or could start Microsoft Word. The possibilities are endless, and GlobalCommand is meant to all a power user the ability to easily take control of their computer by providing a means for easy hot key registration and management.
What’s new in GlobalCommand 3?
- GlobalCommand 3 is a complete rewrite, from the ground up. GC3 is written in C#, and leverages the power of the Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5 in order to provide an easy to use application which took minimal time to develop and test.
- GlobalCommand 3 implements an interface for plug-in applications to take advantage of the easy to use GC framework. Each output or control module is a plug-in. This provides maximum flexibility and allows for easy change or modification of components.
- GlobalCommand 3 will store all data in the Application Data folder for windows. Commands will be kept separate on a per-user basis. Logging data is also stored in the Application Data folder.
- Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista. Support for Windows 9X/ME and 2000 has been removed. Microsoft .NET v3.5 is not supported by those operating systems, and thus GC is not compatible with computers that lack the proper framework.
What components come with GlobalCommand?
GC Ships with 4 types of components:
- The GC Plugin Framework: GCPluginFramework.dll. This library is fully documented, and provides the interface for building plug-ins.
- The GC binary. GlobalCommand.exe This file should not be renamed (for purposes of updating components)
- Packaged Plug-ins for GlobalCommand.
- The PluginDebugger. Both Compiled binary (all you actually need), and source solution to the plugin debugger are included in the download. This project will alllow you to easily test plug-ins, as well as verify information and security keys.
What plug-ins come with GlobalCommand?
- Updater – This plugin allows you to select a repository and update GlobalCommand, as well as its’ plug-ins and dependencies. You can also download new items in the repository through this facility.
- iTunes – get song information and set commands to the player.
- Language Translation – translate a string of text into several other languages.
- mIRC – simple output plugin (supports perview) for sending color codes to mIRC.
- Shell – Start applications and run commands.
- Winamp – get the current song from Winamp.
- Keys – common keystrokes that can’t be represented by printable text.
- Sample – this plugin (source attached) is an example that can be used to develop more powerful plug-ins.
Can I have the source code?
GlobalCommand is not open source at this time.
What does it look like?
Screenshots:
Where can I get it?
Download: GlobalCommand 3.1 [ZIP] (1.11MB)
* GlobalCommand may not work well with Video Games.
Imagine RIT – Innovation + Creativity Festival
Today was the first annual Imagine RIT Festival, hosted at the RIT campus in Rochester, New York. RIT was expecting a maximum of 30,000 people to attend, and although the weather wasn’t favorable for the event, drizzling without much sun, more than 10,000 people came to the campus. There were more than 400 exhibits around the campus–not only in the academic buildings–but also in the quads and Field House. The Xerox ‘WOW’ center was setup much the same way our career fairs are setup. Some of the memorable exhibits included RIT EyeTracking, and Calling Earth to Second Life. I spent a few hours walking around the campus checking everything out, there was some seriously cool stuff. Digsby was also present, and I scored a t-shirt from Steve.
The purpose of Imagine RIT, aside from kicking off the Rochester Festival season is to promote the university as not only a steller teaching university, but also as one that is is an innovation university, with an emphasis on research and creativity. RIT is ranked highly for undergraduate education, and having one of the oldest co-op programs has earned it a reputation which attracts many of the best employers in the USA.