Vlad,
My apologies for not responding to your inquiry sooner, but I dont quite understand your question. Are you saying you want to add a keyboard shortcut to launch a com object? Or are you asking how to place an icon on the start menu for an automation server that would list all the com exposed objects and they could be ran from there?
If the latter, I dont think so because a the com object(whether in-process or out-of-process) has to have an owning thread.
If the former, you can add a .VBS script to your desktop and define a keyboard shortcut to that. In that script it can create your com object and perform whatever tasks the com object needs. This is actually my perferred approach.
Over the last few months, I've discovered just how useful & powerful .VBS scripts are (not just for deploying email worms). For instance, we have a call logging application that allows us to track all support calls. However to get into the application, you must follow this process:
1. Enter the IP address of the web-server and press enter.
2. After the webserver is found, you have to enter your network username & password and press enter.
3. After network access is authenticated, the app starts and you have to enter your application username and password and press enter.
4. After you're logged into the app, you are prompted Yes or No to restore your previous session, so you always click yes.
I created a simple .VBS script that sits on my desktop and can be launched by pressing CTRL+ALT+H that automates all this login/authentication mess. So, the script performs all these tasks for me. All I do is press a button.
I've also began R&D on using Scripts to replace Launcher applications. One, this would allow the user's desktop shortcut to point to the actual EXE and not the launcher. Two, most launcher's simply deploy the exe. However, with a script, the developer could deploy the exe and any other files. As well as run register any dlls or automation servers. Jon Hawkins
The World Is Headed For Mutiny,
When All We Want Is Unity. - Creed