Background key stroke monitoring

I am writing an timer application that is going to be running in the background while other programs are running (games for example). I want to be able to initiate a timer event and then stop the event using keystokes (since the app is running in the background).

I am also planning on creating the length of time during run time (ie see event A occur on screen, hit key sequence to start timer, see event B occur on screen, hit key sequence to stop timer, time span is now stored as length of time for timer event.)

Any help on either of these issues would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

what i think you have to do is use the keypress routine, then specify the keys. if you need an ascii guide, i have made one in an excel sheet. email me if you want that: [email protected]