Hi everyone,

I WOULD like to be able to add an extra keyboard, extra numpad or any extra device to my PC to be able to assign a couple of more hotkeys. For instance I would like to be able to assign F1 do google, F2 to facebook, F3 to open control panel, "W" to open word etc.. Or maybe I could use it in games and assign a couple of hotkeys over there?!

Is this possible in any way? Is there any existing way or is it possible to just plug in a regular USB keyboard and "hijack" it with any software coded by myself (i am a programmer)?

Im not so good at keyboards and how thwy work. An existing solution would be the best but since I am a programmer I would also be glad for more advanced solutions if any,.

Thanks to you all! /Jesper1 machine = 1 keyboard.Look into gaming peripherals. A load of them, I believe have that sort of funtionality with an easy to confgure interfaces. espc. look at the razer lycossa.

I am not sure they do exactly what you want but I am sure an experienced programmer would have no problem modifing the code to work..I have a Logitech EX110 Keyboard and mouse set, and the set allows you to program the F1-F12 keys to preset functions, web addresses, or programs. there are also 4 dedicated function buttons for you to program. There are an additional set of keys for email, internet and documents, which can also be changed to suit your needs. For example my documents button opens Winamp for me.

There is also a button that allows you to swap between normal Fkey mode and hotkey mode on the fly.

It is not a gamers set, so it is very cheap, yet should solve your problem, then you will also only need one keyboard.

I have had a look around, and it SEEMS this set is hard to get hold of now, so perhaps another Logitech Keyboard will suit your needs.LThis can become a LARGE topic.
But first, has the OP already done this?
Hit F1, bring up Help, search for 'hot keys' (without quotes.)

EDIT
WARNING. If you Google for
windows hotkey software
You may be led to one of over a dozen hostile WEBSITES. Says WOT.

I've got a keyboard that in addition to the STANDARD F keys, has an additional 18 keys that can be programmed for many other uses. I think that is what you need. I got it in a small computer shop in the middle of nowhere, but if you check Newegg, Amazon, etc. you should be able to find one like it.I think he wants a software solution.
But if he is gin to buy more hardware...

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=105
Quote from: TheJesper on November 09, 2010, 05:05:07 AM

Is this possible in any way? Is there any existing way or is it possible to just plug in a regular USB keyboard and "hijack" it with any software coded by myself (i am a programmer)?

Im not so good at keyboards and how thwy work. An existing solution would be the best but since I am a programmer I would also be glad for more advanced solutions if any,.

At patio noted, 1-machine has only one keyboard "object" (so to speak). That is, when you plug in a second, third, or any number of other USB keyboards, they act as one; software cannot tell the difference between a keypress amongst them, or any PS/2 keyboard attached.

The only way to possibly tease apart the different keyboard events would be to literally create a device driver that polled all keyboard HID devices and detected when keys were pressed and released; the device driver could then callback into functions that programs have installed to be notified by said driver.
Hardly worth the effort, IMO... definitely an over-engineered solution if nothing else.