Programmable Keyboard for data entry?

October 14, 2011 4:38 PM

I have this programmable keyboard at work. Any (modern) equivalent replacements?

It does exactly what I want, but it is old and I have gone through a few over the past 10-15 years. It is not supported by the IT department (I have to bodily prevent them from taking it away when they update my PC).

What it has that I want is easily programmable macro keys that execute repeated keystrokes (text mostly). I see there are "gaming" programmable keyboards, but don't know if they could be programmed to spit out text strings as I desire (essentially filling in fields in forms, data entry etc.)

I use Windows XP at work, but I think such a keyboard would be OS neutral.

Thanks!

posted by Fortnight Bender to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

You can definitely do this with the Logitech G15, which is what I have. I would assume almost any gaming keyboard can do this, though, because typing out a text block or hitting a predetermined set of keys is something that you'd want to do in all sorts of gaming scenarios.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 4:44 PM on October 14, 2011

Any MS brand keyboard will run Intellitype which is highly customizable just like you want.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 4:53 PM on October 14, 2011

I used one of these as a developer at Microsoft in 97. My officemate was obsessed with them and had hoarded a stash from around the company. It was pretty handy, because it could memorize *any* string of keys, including things the OS usually traps, like ctrl-alt-del.

I wonder if you could build something with an Arduino Tiny that would pretend to be a USB keyboard...
posted by bug138 at 8:47 PM on October 14, 2011

Definitely look at the Logitech G11/G15 keyboards. You can program the macros using the nifty utility, or do it on-the-fly by pushing [Macro Record], [one of the macro keys], [enter keystrokes here], [Macro Record]. It's pretty slick. And 18 macro keys x 3 palettes = a ton of macro keys. Backlit keys are nice too.
posted by xedrik at 9:14 PM on October 14, 2011

On the software side of things, AutoHotkey, a versatile open source program for creating keyboard and mouse macros, seems like it would suit your purposes (and without requiring a specific keyboard).
posted by kilo hertz at 9:18 AM on October 15, 2011

Could you elaborate on why you are looking for a new keyboard? Is it because the old one doesn't support USB? You should be able to find a PS/2 - USB adapter - I have one for an old ergonomic keyboard that is no longer made.
posted by kenliu at 6:10 PM on October 15, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks for the answers. I too have scrounged up cast offs from around the facility over the years. I'm asking about a new one in anticipation of eventual failure. Currently the one I use still works fine.

Based on the recommendations here I ordered a Logitech G110 for my home. I was looking for a back lit keyboard anyway, and can experiment with the programmability.

I like the open source program solution as well and will look at that. I know years ago I messed around with software macro solutions, and they work. But the programmable keyboard I use (Gateway Any Key) is so slick, I'm a bit obsessed like bug138's officemate.
posted by Fortnight Bender at 8:49 PM on October 15, 2011