Who should bind keys? The WindowManager, X or a tool like AutoKey?

PieterGen · 2014-07-15 15:05:54

I discovered AutoKey, a nice program. "It allows you to manage collection of scripts and phrases, and assign abbreviations and hotkeys to these. This allows you to execute a script or insert text on demand in whatever program you are using"

My question is: what is the 'most correct' way to bind keys (if there is). This may be a stupid question, but I can see nasty interactions beween AutoKey, Xbindkeys, maybe XKB and keys that you have bound in your windowmanager.

In the windowmanager?
There is lot to say for 'Let the Window manager manage windows'. Which would mean that a ' run or raise' command should be in the WM (herbstluft, openbox, i3wm, whatever), and not scripted in AutoKey (it can be done).

In X?
Why not bind things in X? XBindkeys has the advantage of being application and wm independent. Which is good !

In AutoKey?
AutoKey is Python, meaning it can do more things then XBindkeys. Which is good ! On the other hand, stuff that can be done in the window manager and/or in X, should not be done in a seperate progam, right?

So? Thoughts? Advice?
So, give your thoughts please! I'm trying to prevent instabilities/conflicts and future trouble.... so what seems the most 'right' way? Thanks for all thoughts !

Last edited by PieterGen (2014-07-15 15:07:04)

Trilby · 2014-07-15 15:15:22

Who should bind keys? You should.

Beyond that, use whichever tool is best suited to your goals. One can certainly use several of these methods at the same time - though to me that would seem wasteful and confusing: pick one, but it shouldn't matter which one.

I go with the window manager - but this is primarily because I wrote my window manager ... so it works exactly how I want it to, and if it doesn't, I change it.

I'm a bit biased against tools that would go in the autokey category - though I know nothing of autokey in particular. The X server is already running, the window manager is already running - so if these can be used, that seems best. Adding a new tool is fine if it does something the current tools don't do. But adding another tool just to add another tool seems like a bad idea to me.

PieterGen · 2014-07-15 17:53:53

Thanks Trilby

Who should bind keys? You should.

LOL

Adding a new tool is fine if it does something the current tools don't do.

Thanks, the sort of thoughts I was hoping for :-)

Arch Linux

#1 2014-07-15 15:05:54

Who should bind keys? The WindowManager, X or a tool like AutoKey?

#2 2014-07-15 15:15:22

Re: Who should bind keys? The WindowManager, X or a tool like AutoKey?

#3 2014-07-15 17:53:53

Re: Who should bind keys? The WindowManager, X or a tool like AutoKey?

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