IMO - Key Clone > AHK

[nitsujcm]

I used AHK for a weekend and as a laymen to script it was tough. The learning curve was very apparent and I basically just copy and pasted things, tried to edit what didn’t work and ended up settling for the 0-9 keys, - and = (and maybe a couple of letters).

Enter, space, esc- couldn’t get them to work. I also felt like I was at risk of the ban stick b/c the program I was using “could” be used to write scripts that do multiple actions.

After a weekend I was up and going, but nothing too impressive. The mages would point and fire at the same target, but I wouldn’t try to pvp or anything.

Yesterday I dropped $10 on Key Clone. The set up took me about 20sec to figure out. I was up and flying with my mages in a matter of minutes. I was sheeping two targets, alternating frost novas and focusing on one target at a time burning them down. I would jump in a aggro 5 mobs or so just to test myself and I was thoroughly impressed with how easy it was to control both toons.

I can’t wait until my mid 20s to try some aoe grinding action.

AHK may be free and may be able to do a lot more than Key Clone – but I’ll gladly pay the $10 for simplicity. You down load it, you buy it, you spend 20 sec setting it up and then you dual box. It is defiantly worth 10 bucks for us ‘non-programmer’ types.

Key Clone seems safer too. Blizzard could ban you for anything they wanted, but when it comes down to it, I don’t feel save using the same program someone could use to bot. Lets say they catch a botter using AHK and scan for others using it – ban, ban, ban.

You can’t bot with Key Clone – so it just seems safer to me. Technically I am still pressing one hardware key to perform two software actions on one computer – so per some GM chats- its not allowed. But I am actually running two virtual boxes on one computer- so it’s a gray area at least. It seems like the line is if you split the signal with hardware or software. I would prefer to spilt it with hardware, but I am limited to one PC at the moment, so I will go with software. Key Clone seems to be the safer of the two options.

[Mannyman]

I agree with the statement about AHK. It'll be just my luck that someone else will use it for scripting, then I get banned.

As soon as Keyclone puts keymapping into effect, I'm buying a few copies myself.

[Scribbler]

Gotta say I agree, I got hold of keyclone and it just wipes the floor with AHK, unless you really know how AHK works.

[keyclone]

damn... thanks guys. great to hear people are finding it useful.

i have a conf call tonight around 6pm, after that, i'm back on the new key map stuff (it's pretty interesting from a geek standpoint).

[Shogun]

damn... thanks guys. great to hear people are finding it useful.

i have a conf call tonight around 6pm, after that, i'm back on the new key map stuff (it's pretty interesting from a geek standpoint).

If it helps, i'm currently slowing setting up my 3pcs to run 5 accounts. One on my main rig, 3 on the 2nd rig and 1 on the crappy old rig, altho I might end up with 2/2/1. So i'll be buying at least 1 copy, probably 2 in the end. Just waiting to get paid so I can sort out the 5th account, and waiting on that shift/alt/ctrl support. Going to use wireless KB to get from PC to PC, and Keyclone on the 2 PCs that need it.

I'd really like to see support for the 3 modifiers, and hoping that said support will also mean things like Ctrl+Shift+Number will work to make more macros and keybinds available.

And as long as it stays away from scripting/botting I'll be happy ;)

[keyclone]

the new keymap, once i get it done, will map whatever local key combination (ctrl+alt+x) to whatever string you want (mage.fireball.1). this would enable you to come up with your own hotkey strings (i'm actually calling them hotstrings in the source).

this is how it'd work; you'd make a mage keymap and a healer keymap (for instance)... and run all your wow accounts and add them to keyclone(s). then, right-click the particular wow instance and load a keymap (mage). once you hit ctrl+alt+x on that instance, it will translate to 'mage.fireball.1' and ship to the other clones... which in turn will either map it to the local key (doesn't have to be the same) or ignore it (in the case of a healer).

btw, i'm assuming people would put the class in the front of the key name, ie: mage, in order to distinquish between different hotstrings. my format is:

hotstring: <class>.<spell>.<level>

i'm hoping to have the first cut working tonight. and yes, along the way the ctrl/alt/shift issue to remote machines will hopefully be resolved.

[Mannyman]

Woot

[Shogun]

the new keymap, once i get it done, will map whatever local key combination (ctrl+alt+x) to whatever string you want (mage.fireball.1). this would enable you to come up with your own hotkey strings (i'm actually calling them hotstrings in the source).

this is how it'd work; you'd make a mage keymap and a healer keymap (for instance)... and run all your wow accounts and add them to keyclone(s). then, right-click the particular wow instance and load a keymap (mage). once you hit ctrl+alt+x on that instance, it will translate to 'mage.fireball.1' and ship to the other clones... which in turn will either map it to the local key (doesn't have to be the same) or ignore it (in the case of a healer).

btw, i'm assuming people would put the class in the front of the key name, ie: mage, in order to distinquish between different hotstrings. my format is:

hotstring: <class>.<spell>.<level>

i'm hoping to have the first cut working tonight. and yes, along the way the ctrl/alt/shift issue to remote machines will hopefully be resolved.

Think you lost me there ^^

I wass assuming the program just sent "key press 1" to all 3 clients etc. But from what you're saying it sounds like it does alot more, and sounds more interesting and more flexible? So you can make keybinds to spells without actualy having the spell on a bar?

I'm new to the software approach so bare with me :)

[simon021]

I tested the new updates with the keymaps last night and it's very nice. It makes boxing multiple classes much easier.

2 thumbs up for keyclone IMO. MUCH easier to get set up than AHK. Like the OP said, download it, spend 20 seconds setting it up, and away you go. Plus with the new version he's adding in a couple of extremely useful things with the keymapping and what not. Plus he's active so he's easy to get ahold of for questions. He spent a couple hours with me last night just chatting about the program itself. Lots of fun, looking forward to the new finished version.

And i mean hey, for 10 bucks you really can't go wrong.

[Mannyman]

Any predictions on a release date? :D

[madsteintist]

This kind of post is exactly what I wanted to see. I stayed away from the AHK for the same reason, not that I am ragging on it in any way. Thanks for posting about your experience with Keyclone. I look forward to using it tonight when I get home!

[aurelieshagwell]

Just addidng to the love. As somebody who years and years ago took computing at a-level and barely managed to make menus in turbo pascal and therefore wants no part of AHK, i absolutely love this prog. its entirely simple yet precisely what you want. It even autoselects the wow windows for you. All you need to do is... well.. nothing. Bar specify which keys you want forwarded to all windows and which to some and which you want on round robin (like sheep).

if you are not using this for multiboxing on 1 pc you really should be.

[keyclone]

hoping to get hotstrings working tonight. depends on whether or not i hit any snags. if i get an alpha version ready, i'll post a link here for keycloners to try.

and no, you'll still have to bind the spell to a key... unless firing the spell can be typed... like '/cast fireball'... if that works.. then i may look into that as well... but only after the first release of hotstrings. (if anyone can say yes or no on whether its possible, that would help)

[Shogun]

hoping to get hotstrings working tonight. depends on whether or not i hit any snags. if i get an alpha version ready, i'll post a link here for keycloners to try.

and no, you'll still have to bind the spell to a key... unless firing the spell can be typed... like '/cast fireball'... if that works.. then i may look into that as well... but only after the first release of hotstrings. (if anyone can say yes or no on whether its possible, that would help)

Binding the spell to a key is fine, I think the wording was just confusing :)

I'm looking forwards to trying it all out in a couple of weeks, will have the rigs setup this weekend, and I'll get a couple of copies of this the following week or so.

[wolviex]

looking forward to try it, AHK is confusing lol


where can i download/read more?

[Mannyman]

Now that I am comfy with the computer setup, I went ahead and bought a few copies:) Initial testing went nice and smooth.

I'd be very happy with an alpha version whenever possible. I can see myself running out of key bindings fast without modifiers.

Now I just have to figure out how to fill my 5-man party. Have a priest, warlock, and mage so far. 2 more warlocks? 2 more mages? Casters definitely seem easier to multibox. Can the pet reliably tank? More importantly, can I effectively 5-box heroics at 70 with this group? That's the goal after all.

Decisions, decisions.

[Shogun]

anyone got a link for download?

http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=595

Keyclone needs to add it to his sig ;)

[keyclone]

done ;)

[Shogun]

Can't wait to test it :)

Quick question, I have a nostromo n52 on one PC and a logitech G15 on the other one, I tend to bind the keys to things I'm unlikely to be pressing on a normal KB (like ctl+alt+numpad) will Keyclone pick up on those if their on that PC etc?

[Mannyman]

Having fun so far:) Rolled an undead team, mage and 4 locks.

One thing that's apparent to me now, which I might have overlooked before, is that I have to wait until the other 4 toons following me have caught up and are stationary before I start casting. Otherwise, I'll get the first cast in and they won't do anything until they've caught up.

I wonder if there is a "stop" command of sorts, to tell them not to move before casting.

Edit: I have Keyclone broadcast the "S" key, the one that moves you backward. I don't broadcast any other movement keys. So I hit the follow key for them to chase me, then hit S for them to stop moving, then I cast. Then hit the follow key again, rinse & repeat. I'm sure there is a better way than this though.

[Xzin]

Also keep in mind that patch 2.2 will introduce left AND right shift,alt,control modifier keys.

So left shift + a can be different than right shift + a. By default it will not be but this might be a nice addition when you get a chance.

[simon021]

Having fun so far:) Rolled an undead team, mage and 4 locks.

One thing that's apparent to me now, which I might have overlooked before, is that I have to wait until the other 4 toons following me have caught up and are stationary before I start casting. Otherwise, I'll get the first cast in and they won't do anything until they've caught up.

I wonder if there is a "stop" command of sorts, to tell them not to move before casting.

Edit: I have Keyclone broadcast the "S" key, the one that moves you backward. I don't broadcast any other movement keys. So I hit the follow key for them to chase me, then hit S for them to stop moving, then I cast. Then hit the follow key again, rinse & repeat. I'm sure there is a better way than this though.

lol thats a great idea, going to have to try that one out tonight

[Xzin]

Having fun so far:) Rolled an undead team, mage and 4 locks.

One thing that's apparent to me now, which I might have overlooked before, is that I have to wait until the other 4 toons following me have caught up and are stationary before I start casting. Otherwise, I'll get the first cast in and they won't do anything until they've caught up.

I wonder if there is a "stop" command of sorts, to tell them not to move before casting.

Edit: I have Keyclone broadcast the "S" key, the one that moves you backward. I don't broadcast any other movement keys. So I hit the follow key for them to chase me, then hit S for them to stop moving, then I cast. Then hit the follow key again, rinse & repeat. I'm sure there is a better way than this though.

You may have also overlooked healing :)

Also, insta cast dots do not require you to stop moving nor face the target.

[Mannyman]

I made the mage + lock team mainly to test Keyclone and work out the nuances. I made them on Magtheridon(ironically) and reached level 4 before calling it. Time to go back to my server where the high levels and gold is!

Good point on the insta-dots.

I still think at least one mage is good for the group. Intellect buff, frost nova, sheep, free water and goodies, quick transportation to cities.

So I think in the end it'll be priest, mage, and 3 locks. I'm still curious to see how 3 felguards/vw's can hold up for tanking. But controlling a pally/warrior/druid for tanking will be a pain in the ass with my setup, so an all squishy/ranged team will have to do for now.

Maybe the round robin feature will come in handy for tanking multiple mobs with multiple pets. Will have to wait and see.

Also if anyone is interested, I bound the same key for the mage's fireball and the warlock shadowbolts. If the locks are lagging behind a bit, I start off with the mage fireball, then tap the same key again to get the shadowbolts going after the warlocks stop moving. Then I broadcast the A & D keys so I can turn everyone to face my targets if necessary. This seems to work better than the S key all the time.

[Mannyman]

After more thought, I think I'll run 2 locks on one computer, and the priest/mage/3rd lock on the other. Nothing to do with performance. I just realize how farked I am if I(1st warlock) die. This way, I can just pull up the 2nd screen to control lock #2, and Keyclone should still be able to send out the commands to the other computer like nothing happened. Maybe I should spec the 1st 2 locks demonology for soul link when it becomes available.

[Xzin]

You can always do paid character transfer :)

[nitsujcm]

wow- i just posted my first little thing up here and it seemed to blow up!

Thanks to everyone here who has helped me get up and running and gave me the tools to try boxing out without droping lots of cash on computers and displays.

Maybe one day I will grow up to be like xzin, but its is a blast so far!