Assigning functions to keys

The application Quicksilver has a feature called triggers that allows you to bind any of its actions (and there are tons of them in plugins) to any key.

 

I don't know, but QS doesn't take up that much resources while running, thus you can safely let it start at login.
I run Alfred, which is a bit similar to QuickSilver and better tailored for my needs and it doesn't take up any resources besides RAM (11.3 MB currently).

 

Download Alfred, it's free.

I think you can do it by setting a global hot key.

http://support.alfredapp.com/tutorials:global-hotkeys

Otherwise its just a two key press and type sleep in the window.

 

Why is closing the lid on a Mac in Lion not letting the Mac go to sleep?

And what about CMD+OPTION+EJECT?

 

Similar request

I have a similar request to the OP. I enter a lot of numbers into forms with my right hand with the number pad on the wired Apple keyboard. I would like to make one of the functions keys above the keyboard, F16-F19, a "tab" key. Does anyone know of a program that will allow me to do that? Is there a simple wy of reprogramming the key without an app?
(iMac, Lion 10.7.2)

 

I second the Cmd+Option+Eject shortcut for sleep, which I see you've tried and like.

For future reference, in addition to the aforementioned products, people looking for something similar might want to try KeyRemap4Macbook (despite the name, it works on all [Intel?] Macs). I used it to get "iTunes" (actually use it for Spotify now) play/pause and forward/next keys on my plain external keyboard.