Here’s an example that copies text from a TextBox onto the clipboard and pastes text from the clipboard into a Label.

    <Grid>
        <Grid.RowDefinitions>
            <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
            <RowDefinition Height="*"/>
        </Grid.RowDefinitions>
        <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
            <ColumnDefinition/>
            <ColumnDefinition/>
        </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>

        <TextBox Name="txtFrom" Text="Twas the Night Before Christmas.." Margin="10"/>
        <Button Grid.Column="1" Content="Copy"
                HorizontalAlignment="Left" Padding="10,5" Margin="10"
                Click="btnCopy_Click"/>

        <Label Name="lblTo" Grid.Row="1" Content="Paste something here"
               Margin="10"/>
        <Button Grid.Row="1" Grid.Column="1" Content="Paste"
                VerticalAlignment="Top" HorizontalAlignment="Left"
                Padding="10,5" Margin="10"
                Click="btnPaste_Click"/>
    </Grid>

The Click handlers use the SetText and GetText methods of the Clipboard class to interact with the clipboard.  The SetText method copies data to the clipboard.  The GetText method pastes data from the clipboard.

        private void btnCopy_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
        {
            Clipboard.SetText(txtFrom.Text);
        }

        private void btnPaste_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
        {
            lblTo.Content = Clipboard.GetText();
        }

Example: on a page you present a list of URLs. Next to each URL there is a button. If the user clicks on the button, the corresponding URL is copied to his/her clipboard.

Solution
You can use clippy for this task. “Clippy is a very simple Flash widget that makes it possible to place arbitrary text onto the client’s clipboard.“

Here is an HTML template that you must paste in your HTML: clippy.html. Simply replace “{{ clippy_text }}” and “{{ bgcolor }}” with the values you want.

Update (20130103)
GitHub also used clippy but recently they switched to ZeroClipboard. Here is their announcement.

I ran across a good article at Macworld that helped me identify some top contenders quickly:  Essential Mac utilities: clipboard managers | Macworld.

From the list of clipboard managers, I tried CopyPaste Pro and PTHPasteboard Pro.  I eventually stuck with the latter.  It fit better into my workflow, had some advanced paste features, and allowed me to exclude some tools from copying (such as 1Password) so that I wasn’t putting sensitive information like passwords onto my clipboard.

PTHPasteboard Pro also allows you to create multiple clipboard areas called Pasteboards.  Below you can see that I have one called “Main” for random copies and another called “Snippets” for code snippets that I might use frequently.

You can configure your Pasteboards to appear from a pulldown menu, or when you move your mouse to one of the 4 sides of your desktop.  Below you can see an example of some snippets that are available for pasting.   Note that PTHPasteboard Pro gives you the option of pasting in the source format (font, color, etc.) or as text.

Custom paste filters

Lastly I wanted to point out the ability to use custom paste filters.  PTHPasteboard Pro provides filters (templates) for many types of languages (including Objective C) and allows you to customize them.

Here is an example of an Objective C method implementation template that I tweaked slightly.  It allows me to quickly create a getter and setter for an Objective C property:

- ($TYPE $POINTER)$NAME
{
 return _$NAME;
}

- (void)set$UNAME:($TYPE $POINTER)$NAME
{
 if (_$NAME != $NAME) {
 _$NAME = $NAME;
 }
}

Suppose I have the following property declaration:

@property (nonatomic, strong) UIManagedDocument *contactDatabase;

If I highlight “UIManagedDocument *contactDatabase” (with or without the semi-colon), and then execute the filter, I get the following pasted into my code:

- (UIManagedDocument *)contactDatabase
{
    return _contactDatabase;
}

- (void)setContactDatabase:(UIManagedDocument *)contactDatabase
{
    if (_contactDatabase != contactDatabase) {
        _contactDatabase = contactDatabase;
    }
}

A nice time saver!

Side note to Kickstarter backers: Thank you so much for your feedback and support. We couldn’t have done it without you. Since the success of our Kickstarter project, we have learned quite a bit and would like to share the resources we used and strategies developed along this fantastic journey.

Is this Kickstarter advice for me?

Since the other three co-founders are still in college and I am a recent graduate, we had to be quite creative in the implementation of our Kickstarter strategy. After many mistakes and a lot of research, we came up with some awesome guidelines that will help any project in any category. With our Kickstarter success and recent fulfillment, we thought it would be helpful to openly discuss the tactics we used.

You will benefit from this series of posts if:

• You have no money/ no time, but still want to launch a Kickstarter project.
• You are currently in over your head and a part of a launched Kickstarter project.
• You are knee deep in customer orders from a recently funded Kickstarter project.

Clipboard+ & Kickstarter

Below, Clipboard+‘s efforts are divided into three different sections: Before Launch, During Launch, and Post Launch. In this post, we will exclusively discuss how to prepare Before the Launch of your Kickstarter project.

Part 1: Before Launch (The 3 R’s)

• Research.

  Questions to ask: What is the scope of my project? How long will it take? What competing products have been successful/failed in the Kickstarter space? How much money do I need to complete this project? What content will be in my video? What will my project page look like? Who will support my idea? How will I reward my supporters? How will I get the internet’s eyes on my project? (*Adapted from 9 Essential Steps for a Killer Kickstarter Campaign by Mashable’s Stephanie Buck.) 

Here are screen shots of information you need to know, straight from the stats page on Kickstarter:

Kickstarter statistics (Projects & Dollars)

(Related: check out the comprehensive 2011 statistics report published by Kickstarter.)

Below are excerpts from an infographic published by Apps Blogger titled “The Untold Story Behind Kickstarter Success.”

The Untold Story of Kickstarter Stats

Chance of Success on Large Kickstarter Projects

Effect of Variables on Chance of Kickstarter Success

*Important Final Research Step:

Vet Your Idea. Stop talking about your new project! Step back and consider the possibility that it is a bad idea. Be critical. Step into a nay-sayers shoes and ask the hard questions. Also keep in mind, if your idea doesn’t create polarity, it also might not be a good idea. (It is a good thing if not everyone likes your idea.) If you can’t/ don’t now how to develop your own ideas, please refer to The Founder Institute’s Idea Development Guide.

• Read.

  This should be thought of as an extension of your research. It includes blogs that could be interested in your project, other projects’ pages and social copy, news sources about Kickstarter and any recently successful Kickstarter projects. Reading to benefit your project is something that should be enjoyed. Kickstarter is meant to help fund a passion project, if you are not enjoying the necessary reading it might be worth reconsidering launching your project all together.

Tools to help you read more, faster:

RSS Feed (ex: Google Reader ) – aggregate content send to Instapaper.

Instapaper – Organize & read content.

Google Alerts – Track specific keywords and stay on top of your areas of interest.

Evernote – Write notes about impactful content and save url for future use.

• Reach Out.

  Once you have read and researched, it is time to take your cool new idea and reach out to people that matter. Use the time you have spent reading and connect with the bloggers whose content you have genuinely enjoyed. At first, don’t even mention your project. Focus on making a real human connection and success will follow. If you want to make a genuine connection we highly suggest “the Impact Equation” by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. It is a great read that is well worth your time and money.

Use these steps when contacting a blogger/ news outlet:

1. Introduce yourself, your product, and the launch date.
2. What the news is about.
3. Why is it a big deal?
4. Website access or screenshot of what you are launching.
5. Your name, your telephone number & meaningful social network.
6. P.S. – something meaningful, memorable

(Sales tip: Always remember a “no” is just one step closer to a “yes.”)

Final Thoughts

One of the most common Kickstarter slip-ups is not properly planning ahead. Make sure you have a clear idea of your timeline going forward. Keep your date of delivery always on top of mind. Additionally, make use of your networks. We had some great support from friends like, Roger Osorio, but failed to fully tap into our networks until mid way through launch. Our biggest misstep was not connecting with bloggers early enough. This early connection to people (bloggers), who can get your project noticed, requires time invested months before launch. Make it your goal to stay connected to at least five bloggers. This will make your path going forward much easier.

We would love to hear from you! Please comment if you have any additional information about how to prepare for Kickstarter pre-launch.

Thanks for reading. We will be back next week with “Being a College Student and Achieving Kickstarter Success” (Part 2 – During Launch)

Related Posts

• “5 Kickstarter Champs Share the Secrets of their Success” – Mashable
• “How a Guy with a Mason Jar Raised $30,000 in 4 days on Kickstarter” - Business Insider
• “Social Media for the Everyman“ - Changing the Way You Work
• “4 Keys to a Winning Kickstarter Campaign” - Wired

 
Dear Mom,

I usually just Skype you when I’m feeling down. But Coach Rex said I’m not allowed to bring my iPad to the sidelines. He was afraid I would tweet something stupid, start playing backyard football (it’s so much easier than the real thing), or Google stuff like “easiest way to throw a touchdown pass” during the game. (I swear I’ve only Googled that as a joke.)

Anyway, I’m really hungry. I think that’s why I was playing so poorly. But I don’t think it’s the best idea to grab a hot dog right now. So I thought maybe I would forget about my hunger, and feel better about myself, if I focused on writing you this letter instead. (Is it weird that I’m envisioning you singing me a lullaby?)

It sure was hard to focus on that football game. Can you get a concussion without getting hit in the head? Damn, if I had my iPad, I would WebMD’ed that.

Oh, there’s an idea. If I can just find a way to give myself a concussion on the sideline here, then maybe the coaches will think that’s why I sucked so much. I know I threw an interception on the first play of the game, and that might be hard to chalk up to injury, but it’s be worth a shot, right?

My tummy’s rumbling again. I wonder if Coach Rex’s tummy rumbles. I hate him, Mom. Supporting me in public and then benching me like this. I liked Coach Rex so much better before his lap band surgery. He’s the one who let me have that hot dog. And back then, even when he was angry, he just seemed more jovial.

Anyway, I’ve come up with a couple possible reactions I could have to this benching, and I would love your opinion on the route I should take:

1. Turn the attention to Tebow. I could say that I felt bad that Tebow wasn’t getting a chance to play, and even though I had slowly tried to work him into the rotation, I realized I needed to do something drastic. And it wouldn’t surprise anyone if I told them I forgot or didn’t realize that Tebow was inactive for the game. The media gobbles up Tebow, so they might gobble this up too.

2. Repeat a good one-liner at the postgame press conference. You know, something memorable like “both teams played hard” or “they are who we thought they were.” Maybe then they’ll focus less on my atrocious on-field play and more on my clever off-field wordplay. And I might finally get in one of those awesome Coors Light ads.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know. Call me anytime tonight. I’ll probably just be watching reruns of Desperate Housewives. (I really miss Eva.)

Besos,
Mark

P.S.
Check out the flawless grammar in this letter! That’s how a B-average communication major at USC does it! And everyone thought my grades were due to that “tutor.”

P.P.S. My twitter profile says “Back to work as QB for the NY Jets.” Do I have to change it to “Backup work”?

…and productive. Because what’s an anniversary if not productive? Oh, but I haven’t told you where I’m going yet. I’ll have to surprise you later.

I also have been desperately needing a means of organizing and easily transporting drawing materials. So…

Tada!!!
And of course I began work on a new portrait of a beautiful woman in my life.
Have a wonderful evening!

Black History Month on http://www.justefun.com/black-history-month/

Aaaand this is what happens when my brothers and I are unsupervised for too long… on http://www.justefun.com/aaaand-this-is-what-happens-when-my-brothers-and-i-are-unsupervised-for-too-long/

I don’t think I know a guy who can’t relate on http://www.justefun.com/i-dont-think-i-know-a-guy-who-cant-relate/

Is it just me or does Benicio del Toro look like Puerto Rican Brad Pitt? on http://www.justefun.com/is-it-just-me-or-does-benicio-del-toro-look-like-puerto-rican-brad-pitt/

I though Imgur wouldn’t mind this repost – Michelle Jenneke on http://www.justefun.com/i-though-imgur-wouldnt-mind-this-repost-michelle-jenneke/

Marley the Chihuahua’s New Winter Boots! on http://www.justefun.com/marley-the-chihuahuas-new-winter-boots/

True friends (incredible shot from a friend of mine) on http://www.justefun.com/true-friends-incredible-shot-from-a-friend-of-mine/

Before alarm clocks there were knocker-upper’s. Mary Smith earned sixpence a week shooting dried peas at sleeping workers windows. Limehouse Fields. London. [500 x 674]. Undated. Photograph from Philip Davies’ Lost London: 1870 – 1945. on http://www.justefun.com/before-alarm-clocks-there-were-knocker-uppers-mary-smith-earned-sixpence-a-week-shooting-dried-peas-at-sleeping-workers-windows-limehouse-fields-london-500-x-674-undated-photograph-from-phili/

When I delete a failed post on http://www.justefun.com/when-i-delete-a-failed-post/

Look at what they spotted Mitt Romney doing on http://www.justefun.com/look-at-what-they-spotted-mitt-romney-doing/

Damn pigeon spam on http://www.justefun.com/damn-pigeon-spam/

I’ve always wondered on http://www.justefun.com/ive-always-wondered/

Too much Asian power in one picture! on http://www.justefun.com/too-much-asian-power-in-one-picture/

I told my wife "no cats". I guess I lost that argument. on http://www.justefun.com/i-told-my-wife-no-cats-i-guess-i-lost-that-argument/