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#88 F11 and F12 Buttons
I really always wanted to know why Microsoft never created a launcher for Windows with emulated keyboard direct access. I've tested several, but MaxLauncher is one of the few that follows this concept with efficiency and configurability.
I would just like to know if there is a way to add the buttons corresponding to the F11 and F12 keys or to suggest it for a next version.
Many thanks for making our lives easier.
I think to have F11 and F12 is a great idea, but it crashes the design.
A better idea would be to enhance complete MaxLauncher with the use of numpad 1-9.
See screenshot
I hadn't thought about Numpad, but it looks promising. Unfortunately, in this case there is also a design break, since F11 and F12 add two columns and Numpad has 3 (or 4, if we consider it complete). The design would only be preserved in the following situations:
1º) F11, F12 in favorites + 2 columns with 6 customizable remap buttons.
2º) F11, F12 in favorites + 2 columns with 6 directional keys (PgUp, PgDn, Ins, Del, Home, End).
3º) One of the previous options + 3 columns of buttons for Numpad + PrintSc, ScroolLk, PauseBreak in favorites.
Last edit: tktn 2020-02-16
Nr. 1: Could be conflict with other keys
Nr. 2:
At the moment "home" and "end" are jumping to the first and last tab. I never used it and i think they could be replaced. The disadvantage of this is you need more letters which take place from the icons. If it is not default and could be activated like i described in "Enhanced Mode", then when you activate the mode you could get some explination. But not perfect.
If we get groups, then i think it would be also not good to use the numpad numbers. The numbers and numpad numbers should then work like now. Both trigger the tabs and the then the new groups if one is open.
But that all leads for me to this:
F11, F12
The 6 other Keys from numpad:
NE (NumpadEnter)
N+
N-
N/
N. or , (depends on keyboard language)
N*
Instead of a N you can also use the arrow down that is on many numpads.
Last edit: Christian Dull 2020-02-16
I use a Latin keyboard, so the (- = ´ ~ [ ]) keys are idle for me while MaxLauncher is active. I believe that in other international layouts the situation is similar. I agree with your other approaches, but I didn't quite understand how there could be conflict in alternative 1.
On my keyboard i need the shift key to reach the (- = ´ ~ [ ]) keys. At alternative 1 there would be no conflict if you can not use the keys that are already used at maxlauncher.
In regarding to a possible group feature i think it would be better to have no additional keys at the main area (because of the design of 10 keys). And then we will have enough space.
I have made a screenshot and it looks not so terrible if we add only F11 and F12.
For me, the group feature is the most important feature. At the moment my F10 is still free. Currently no need for F11 and F12, but more possibilitys are better :)
It could be default or an option "Activate F11 and F12".
Last edit: Christian Dull 2020-02-17
The reason why the design depends on the same number of columns in each row is that without it the buttons would be like rectangles, with different heights and widths in the favorites and on the main panel.
For me and you this may not be a problem, I can get all the square buttons by resizing the launcher or configuring the theme. But thinking about the user in general for whom the visual aspect is important, he might give up on the program before coming to these details.
The addition of 6 configurable optional keys (or numpad operations keys as proposed by you) would thus preserve the original ML design. As you can see in the international layouts below, there are always about 6 to 8 keys next to EnterKey that are not used in ML and that have direct access, that is, without the need for Shift, Ctrl, Win etc.
Last edit: tktn 2020-02-17
On my keyboard at the right side i have these 6 free that are not at the moment in my maxlauncher: ß ´ ü ä + #
But ß and ´ is in the number row.
Maybe there are really on all keyboards in the world 6 additionals keys.
Screenshot how it could look like when it is a option.