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Need help with making this tip work: 10.6: Launch applications via keyboard shortcuts
Authored by: wjcarl3 on Jan 05, '10 07:57:27AM

Great tip, thanks, but I'm having trouble with the solution. I created and saved the automator service. I go to Keyboard Shortcuts tab in the Keyboard System Prefs window and I can see the new service I created. When I try to enter the shortcut key, however, it won't save it. For example, i try to assign F16 and I see it appear but it won't save. I don't have problems assigning and saving shortcut keys in other areas of the Keyboard Shortcuts. Thoughts on what might be causing this? Thanks in advance!



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Need help with making this tip work: 10.6: Launch applications via keyboard shortcuts
Authored by: rotomotor on Feb 22, '10 08:40:14AM

I found the solution to this with a Macbook Pro. I called Apple and found a workaround. I have been using HotApp on my G4 Powerbook and MDD since the stone age, and another app launcher before that. As I moved to the new world of 10.6, no more shortcut to launch safari, mail, and photoshop. Ouch! I tried the same instructions above but it didn't work. So, I called Apple and here is what I learned.

First, trash your system preferences file:
User/library/preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist

Now, it seems that the shortcuts that you can use are not the same as what HotApp would accept under 10.4.x I used to use a combination of the option key and a function key to launch my apps. That doesn't work here. I have found that using option+command+number works and I'm sure there are many other combinations. Function keys don't seem to work. I'm just looking for a great one-handed, minimum keystroke shortcut. Either way, it's working and I'm happy that it is.

You may have to restart after messing around with keyboard shortcuts before they work.

One last thing, double clicking on a keyboard shortcut in System Preferences - Keyboard - Keyboard Shortcuts doesn't do anything on my computer. However, if you click right on the field where the shortcuts go, you can enter it.

Good luck!



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