Subject:Keyboard shortcut for center cursor changed?

Posted by: ljackson

Date:12/13/2001 7:51:24 PM

I installed the v5.0e patch yesterday, and I've run into something that is baffling me. I've always relied on using the C key as a shortcut to center the cursor during playback. When I hit the C key now, I get the "Add Marker/Region" dialog, with 'ASF URL:http://' already filled into the Name field.

The help file still says that the C key is used to center the cursor during playback, but it also mentions the period (.) and forward slash (/) keys as doing the same thing. Those two do indeed work, but they're on the right side of my keyboard and require that I release my mouse in order to use them. I've used the C key because I can hit it with my left hand while I keep my right hand on the mouse.

Why did this change? Where was the warning in the "what's new" files? Would you ***please*** change it back, either that or let us remap the C key to another function?

Subject:RE: Keyboard shortcut for center cursor changed?

Reply by: Ted_H

Date:12/14/2001 11:32:15 AM

This shortcut key changed to make the commands in all of our programs the same. The "C" key inserts a command marker in all of our other programs, so we changed Sound Forge. Unfortunately it is not likely that this will be changed back.

Ted

Subject:RE: Keyboard shortcut for center cursor changed?

Reply by: rraud

Date:12/14/2001 1:51:26 PM

I know, and that really sucks! I wish they left them alone. You get used to key strokes and hit them without thinking. Too bad you can't customize them like in MS Word. S. Foundry also changed the mouse wheel function,... and that sucks too.
Oh well, I use 4.5 most of the time anyway.

Subject:RE: Keyboard shortcut for center cursor changed?

Reply by: ljackson

Date:12/20/2001 9:41:48 PM

I wish you'd changed the other products to match Sound Forge instead. I mean, it was here first, right? :-)

Anyway, this REALLY moves keyboard remapping and/or macro definitions up to the top of the wish list. The backslash key is a time *waster* compared to the C key, since you've got to move your right hand from the mouse to the keyboard (or left hand across the keyboard) in order to use it. This among other things should be remappable, at the very least via an old fashioned INI file that experienced users can edit.

Please add this to the next version. Cakewalk can do key binding in their products - hell, even *Microsoft* can do macros in their Office products. If these guys can do it, surely Sonic Foundry can do it too!!!

Subject:RE: Keyboard shortcut for center cursor changed?

Reply by: kryten

Date:12/20/2001 10:43:26 PM

Please take the following with a nudge and a wink.

;)

I understand your comment, but I doubt your request will ever happen. One hot-key change is not a great problem. If that's your only concern about new software, consider your self lucky! To see if anything else has changed as far as shortcuts are concerned, click Help --> Keyboard Shortcuts.

A lot (*not* all) of programs change some keyboard shortcuts when a new version comes out. This is sometimes to allow certain new features to work with easy-to-remember shortcuts. Others are changed since they may invoke an unwanted command based on user feedback. Ted from SF said it was changed to match the rest of the products. If you're going to use a family of products, if the shortcuts are shared, so much the better. It's easier to change one instead of lots of others (also cheaper from a development end and for upgrade pricing...). Development time is better spent on bug fixing.

How much extra time does it take to reach for the period (6 keys away) or the backslash? Not a lot, really. I doubt it's truly disruptive!

Subject:RE: Keyboard shortcut for center cursor changed?

Reply by: ljackson

Date:12/21/2001 1:20:50 PM

Disruptive? More than you'd think. You get into a routine, and then when something forces you out of it against your will, the brain rebels. Blows concentration all to hell.

As for this being a matter of one little key, true, that's all that is affecting me right now, but it can be solved by providing a much greater benefit to all SF users - key remapping.