HOWTO : create a custom keyboard shortcut

[frodon]

Disclaimer : I wrote a more up to date and complete guide on the topic, please refer to this one now :
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=79560

The goal of this HOWTO is to create a custom keyboard shortcut to run a software (like xmms, 3ddesk, ...) or what you want (xkill, transset 0.5, ...). In the example I want to start xkill (graphical kill) using "Alt + a" shortcut.

1- Open GConf editor, go to apps -> metacity -> keybinding_commands, and now choose a command, for my example I choose command_1. Edit command_1 writing xkill in order to run xkill (or every command you want to launch).

2- In the same direcrtory go to global_keybindings. Edit command_1 (or the command you choose in part 1) with the wanted shortcut like that : <Alt>a .

that's all !

Enjoy

[kb_ganesh]

is it possible to make a custom shortcut for starting synaptic?

i tried using just synaptic as the command but it complains that it must be run as root..and if i put sudo synaptic, it doesnt ask for my password and thus doesnt open at all..any ideas anyone?

PS:am really sorry to have posted here..just read the read this..please do delete off this post..i will post it again in the right place..

[lucifeer]

Originally Posted by kb_ganesh is it possible to make a custom shortcut for starting synaptic? i tried using just synaptic as the command but it complains that it must be run as root..and if i put sudo synaptic, it doesnt ask for my password and thus doesnt open at all..any ideas anyone? PS:am really sorry to have posted here..just read the read this..please do delete off this post..i will post it again in the right place..

Try pointing it to "gksudo /usr/sbin/synaptic"

[gregsfdev]

Does anyone know how to save/export the user defined shortcuts? I have searched high and low for a way to do this. I use many different ubuntu machines and would like to script the customisation of them by copying files. I tried md5'ing everything in ~/ changing a shortcut and seeing what changed. As far as I could tell it was only ~/.gconfd/saved_state that changed. However, copying and overwriting this file on another machine did not work. Any suggestions?

[olejorgen]

How do you use the windows buttons for hotkeys?

EDIT: Hm.. think I figured it out. Seems like it's a real mess though. Apparently this works different on every system :/

Anyway, using <super>x worked for me. <super_L> on the other hand did not

[K6K]

wondering if there would be a way to set up a keyboard shortcut to switch users quickly...

[bladefallcon]

Originally Posted by frodon The goal of this HOWTO is to create a custom keyboard shortcut to run a software (like xmms, 3ddesk, ...) or what you want (xkill, transset 0.5, ...). In the example I want to start xkill (graphical kill) using "Alt + a" shortcut. 1- Open GConf editor, go to apps -> metacity -> keybinding_commands, and now choose a command, for my example I choose command_1. Edit command_1 writing xkill in order to run xkill (or every command you want to launch). 2- In the same direcrtory go to global_keybindings. Edit command_1 (or the command you choose in part 1) with the wanted shortcut like that : <Alt>a . that's all ! Enjoy

Ok..Could you, or someone else possibly state the above in a step by step form, for someone who is new? example: How do i open GConf editor. etc. There is no 'metacity' under appl..not that i see anyways..so some explanations for someone like me would be greatly appreciated.

[maclenin]

You're not alone - I don't see "metacity" under apps in gconf, either.... Do I need to ugrade my gconf?

[drr422]

With regard to backing up the gconf, i did the following to backup gconf and all of the settings:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Gnome_Desktop_Admin_Guide

To dump your personal panel settings run gconftool-2.... in the command line:

# Gnome 2.10+
gconftool-2
--dump /apps/panel > my-panel-setup.entries

To Load your settings:

gconftool-2 --direct
--config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults
--load my-panel-setup.entries

And thats it, it will load it as the default settings, but i'm sure you can find something on the link provided, since that is where i got it from.

In order to view the gconf-editor, you need to right click on Applications, and select Edit Menus. From there, go down to System Tools, and press the little box for Configuration Editor, and then exit. Now it should be in Applications -> System Tools -> Configuration Editor.

I hope this helps,
Dustin

[siva214215]

Got it after long search. Very helpful. Simply Great - Thank you very much.