Hit Me Gently!

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About

It was one of these days...I had the idea that it would be cool to have kind of a emergency-button to trigger a sound. For example, if a calling customer really pissed you off, you can hit it (gently) and it will play a sound maybe shouting "what the f*ck"!

I built that completely in hardware, but it was a bit annoying that the sound quality of the recording chip was bad, and recording a new sound took a bit too long (attaching cable to my Mac, playing the desired sound while pushing the recording button).

So I decided to create new, better, more flexible version!

Features

The App can trigger this actions:

  • Playing a sound file
  • Speak using AppleScript's speech synth
  • Launch an AppleScript, in which you can do nearly everything you can think of
  • Play an iTunes Playlist

Hardware

Before you start....You are doing this at your own risk! If you end up with a fried USB port or even a dead computer, don't blame me!

What you need

  • 1 really cheap, small mouse with at least three buttons (more might be better)
  • 1 Klöckner & Möller FAK Grobhandtaster
  • Some tools, like screwdrivers, pliers, soldering station etc.

Building

Software

  • System requirements
    • Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or higher
  • Download
  • Known Issues
    • If you experience that buttons 3 or higher won't work, not with this app, and not with Exposé and Dashboard, you're in good company. The Problem is common. I found a solution: Installing Logitech CC and deactivating it (deleting com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon.plist, removing Logitech Control Center.prefPane) did the trick for me.

Screenshots

HMGPreferences.png

Video