Making maybe one of the Function keys control iTunes while in another program?

[johnbro23]

I'd rather not have to use Apple+Tab and cycle to iTunes every time I want to skip a song (I usually listen to my library in shuffle). If there was a way to assign one of the unused Function keys to perform iTunes "Next" and "Previous", that would be awesome.

btw, do I have to worry about the remote ever running out of battery?

 

[AdeFowler]

Try Synergy. It rocks

 

[WildCowboy]

How about something like ByteController to navigate?

You can also set hotkeys for iTunes, which sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.

Edit: Actually, I'm not sure if it works on Intel Macs...I see conflicting info on that.

 

[apfhex]

There's a whole slew of software designed just for what you want. I can't think of it all off the top of my head, but ones I've used include Synergy, Byte Controller, Quicksilver (not it's primary purpose but it works well), and Menuet. I'm using Menuet right now. It's a little on the crashy side but it's good. I have hotkeys for play/pause, next, previous, show song info (VIA Growl), and for giving song ratings 0-5 (option-F1 through option-F6).