AutoHotkey Community

Keybored as guest · Guest

When downloading zip Version 1.0.46.08 I have noticed it does not make an ini file as before. Instead it creates a ahk file in My Documents. This affects portability when running from a network drive or USB key.

My current workaround is to manually make an ini file in the same folder.

Thanks, Eric (Keybored)

Grumpy · Guest

Can you provide more info on how this affects portability? What are the use cases?

ahklerner · Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: USA

@Grumpy.....Previously AHK would create the ini in the directory which ahk was in. Now it will create the file in the My documents folder. I can see where this could be a problem in situations where users can not or should not save files to the hard drive. I use ahk from a flash drive at work and do not particularly want files with funny file extentions floating around...Just something else for someone to ask questions about...

I would like to request that the ahk file be created in the application directory and not in the my documents folder.

Of course I do understand that this is only an issue when ahk is ran directly (without a script being called)...I do do that on occasion to have the help & ASW handy....

Keybored as guest · Guest

Grumpy thanks for the question.
When you unzip to a USB drive
Edit your auhothotkey from tray
Unplug and move to a new pc
None of your edits are available. Definite portability problem if it goes unnoticed by the user.

Another consequence is when upgrading my sister was confused because she was only aware of the ini type file. I have brought her up to speed on the change.

tonne · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 1158 Location: Denmark

BoBo · Guest

Chris · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 10467

This change was made primarily because it's more compatible with Windows Vista. In addition, I think My Documents is a more useful default for most people.

If anyone can think of another approach that has a better cost/benefit for the general public, please post here. Also, if there's any other reason this is being reported as a bug (i.e. something that should be fixed), please let me know.

keybored · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Phoenix, AZ

I agree let's see what others think. Is this important to other people?

The reason I thought it should change is other sites are referring to the portability and ability to run from USB. Just unzip and run.

To run or not to run?
Currently when running AHK the first time it gives you the choice of creating the file in the My Document folder. When you choose not to it fails to work.

Perhaps changing the prompt to include 2 radio button to select where?

keybored · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Phoenix, AZ

tonne

Chris · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 10467

corrupt · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 2393

Chris · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 10467

corrupt · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 2393

I guess what I'm saying is that I'd prefer to be prompted to optionally save in the Documents directory only if saving in the current directory is not possible. It's probably more a matter of personal taste though and I'll likely have to comply with Vista's methods eventually. I like to keep my egss in their own baskets whenever possible. I tend to store only documents in document folders and they are usually in descriptive folders within the Document directory. To be fair though, this change doesn't have much an effect for me as I don't usually intentionally run AHK without any params.

PhiLho · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:37 am Post subject:

Perhaps AHK should drop the idea of creating a file by itself when run without parameter. This way, no question asked, or perhaps, if user agree, open the help at the tutorial section. Otherwise, it can just execute a default script with only one instruction: #Persistent, providing access to help and window spy.
_________________

vPhiLho := RegExReplace("Philippe Lhoste", "^(\w{3})\w*\s+\b(\w{3})\w*$", "$1$2")

Chris · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 10467

It's a good alternative, but the sample-script method might be more valuable (assuming the user can get past the confusion of the Yes/No dialog). This is because the user gets to see an actual script, and they can see that it's a plain text file, etc. Furthermore, the user can easily learn-by-example from the sample script and then make more hotkeys via the Run command, which would avoid the need for them to read the Quick-start Tutorial.

I know what it's like trying new software, especially how frustrating it can be when you can't get up and running quickly. I think the sample script is good because it allows users to get up and running with some basic hotkeys in only 5 minutes.

Contrary opinions are welcome.