Bug 180543

Version:           2.0.1 (using 3.5.9 "release 49.1" , openSUSE 11.0)
Compiler:          Target: i586-suse-linux
OS:                Linux (i686) release 2.6.25.18-0.2-pae

After my switch from windows to linux I am missing just one thing: a comfortable tool to abbreviate longer inputs at _any_ place where an input is requested. To illustrate what I mean I would like to direct your attention to the windows program SHORTCUt which can be downloaded and bought from the page

   http://www.typer.de/

This program allows to configure abbreviations either in a graphical interface or by means of an abbreviations file. It is possible to choose for each abbreviation whether it should be automatically replaced by the full text or on command by a key combination which can be configured differently for each abbreviation.  This tool is very convinient e.g. to place one's own email address somewhere, to place recurring phrases like 'Dear Sir/Madam', but
for writing documents in LaTeX, too. Its usefullness stems mostly from the fact that the tool can be used _universally_ at any place.

 When using an abbreviations file the abbreviations should be arranged so that the shorter ones are on top, e.g.

  b = \boldface
  bd = \begin{document}
  bt  = \begin{table}
  bta = \begin{tabular}

as the input text is parsed upon the completion command backwards from the present cursor position until the previous space character to get the abbreviation. Then the abbreviations file is parsed ahead to find the line consistent with this abbreviation. 
 
Shortcut allows the insertion of the complete content of a file, too. It offers a macro language for more complex tasks. 

On the Linux side there is nothing comparable. There are clipboards and cliplets ... but these programs are very slow as they use scripts.
But shortcut is programmed in assembler language which makes the reaction time very short. 

Of course a one to one transfer of shortcut to kde would be very welcome. But as this would be quite a task a more modest beginning would be welcome, too. E.g. one could start without a graphical interface just offering the use of an abbreviations file, without macro facilities, without free change of hotkey etc.

It would be nice to get some information on whether the kde team considers embarking on such a project - unfortunately I can be of no help as my computer knowledge is too small.

A. Mehl