Software to bind keys to execute macros?

[Seeker]

Does anyone know what the best software is to bind F keys to execute a set of macros like executing SSH and running a batch script, for example?
Thanks!

[Schwarzer Kater]

I don't know about "best", but typical software for this kind of task is xbindkeys.
https://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/xbindkeys/
You can install it in Kubuntu directly from the "universe" repository.

[Seeker]

Thanks for the reply. I installed it, and I'm trying it out. It seems interesting.

[jlittle]

... execute a set of macros ...

I'm confused by what you mean by that, in a Kubuntu context. Do you just mean a script of commands?

Anyway, the KDE menu editor (right click the KDE menu, edit applications) serves to set up something that can be run and have a "shortcut key" to invoke it. I like doing things this way because it's been rather more persistent over the years than widgets or "custom shortcuts". If I want a widget (say, in a panel) I can drag it from the menu. And, I can put my "somethings" in one place, which helps to find them.

[Seeker]

Thanks for the reply.
I am in charge of managing a few servers running ubuntu. I run kubuntu on my machines, and never had any reason to join a forum as everything works fine.
I'd like to automate some of the batch scripts I use to update the servers, update the firewall, SSH into them...etc... Instead of typing or copy/paste, I thought it would be nice to just bind a function key to automate this process. Like F1 SSHs into server 1, F2, into server 2, F3 updates bacth command..etc...
Thanks.

[MaryHamilton]

xbindkeys

[oshunluvr]

If you do these task on a regular schedule and don't need to watch them, why not cronjob them?

[jlittle]

Staying with X11, I've used xdotool, and ydotool looks interesting, but I've never used it.

However, I suspect you'd be better with a bash script with some kind of menu, using a tool like kdialog, zenity, or my current favourite yad, though I should look into dialogbox.

[oshunluvr]

I do my manual updates and maintenance that way: I ssh into my server on other PCs I maintain and run a few bash scripts and update when I need to.

1. Setup SSH to use secure key access and disable password access.
2. Use non-standard ssh ports.
3. Set your ssh config to allow easy log in with the correct port and username, etc.
4. Use bash aliases to provide a one-word log in.

For example, I type "server" into my console and I'm instantly logged into my server via ssh.

[oshunluvr]

Staying with X11, I've used xdotool, and ydotool looks interesting, but I've never used it.

However, I suspect you'd be better with a bash script with some kind of menu, using a tool like kdialog, zenity, or my current favourite yad, though I should look into dialogbox.

I use notify-send so I get pop-up boxes.

[Seeker]

I do my manual updates and maintenance that way: I ssh into my server on other PCs I maintain and run a few bash scripts and update when I need to.

1. Setup SSH to use secure key access and disable password access.
2. Use non-standard ssh ports.
3. Set your ssh config to allow easy log in with the correct port and username, etc.
4. Use bash aliases to provide a one-word log in.

For example, I type "server" into my console and I'm instantly logged into my server via ssh.

That has really helped me, thank you!