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Main Area and Open Discussion => General Software Discussion => Topic started by: Miles on August 23, 2005, 07:47 AM

Title: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on August 23, 2005, 07:47 AM
Just started investigating these. Any advice would be appreciated.

The two I'm considering at the moment are: Macro Express, and Workspace Macro Pro (Automation Edition).

Any thoughts on these? 

Any others I should look at?

Thanks

Miles
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: AbteriX on August 23, 2005, 07:57 AM
AutoHotKey www.AutoHotkey.com
PowerPro http://powerpro.webeddie.com/
MacroMaker http://members.ij.net/anthonymathews/MacroMaker.htm
AceMacro www.hiteksoftware.com
Makro Tool  and RunCMD http://hintenaus.at
WindowsScript http://home1.gte.net/res0mbu5/windows.htm


===================
Joke of the day:

What do you instantly know about a well-dressed man?
His wife is good at picking out clothes.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on August 23, 2005, 08:03 AM
Thanks, Stefan.

One thing that is important for me is speed of execution, so any suggestions on how to avoid 'pile ups' in windows would also be welcome  :)

Miles
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: AbteriX on August 23, 2005, 03:36 PM
Thanks, Stefan.

One thing that is important for me is speed of execution,
so any suggestions on how to avoid 'pile ups' in windows would also be welcome  :)

Miles
-Miles (August 23, 2005, 08:03 AM)

> speed of execution, so any suggestions on how to avoid 'pile ups'

Please speak slowly, iam german  :)
What do u mean ?
Speed up your windows ?
The only suggesful way is to re-install it on an weekly  basic :)

----
Joke:  If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: markan on August 23, 2005, 03:53 PM
You could add Robotask (http://www.robotask.com) to that list as well.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on August 23, 2005, 03:56 PM
Hehe..

Stefan,

At        the       moment      I        use       the        keystroke       recording         facility         in         my        Belkin        Speedpad  :)

It will play the macro with about 10 milliseconds between events. At this rate the commands 'pile up' in Windows  (a backlog develops, so things don't run in 'real time'). I would like to know if there is a 'bottleneck' caused by a keyboard setting in the registry, or something... 10 milliseconds isn't all that fast  :)

Miles
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on August 23, 2005, 04:10 PM
Thanks, markan.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on August 23, 2005, 04:29 PM
some people refer to different things when they talk about macro programs.

if you are looking for a program to let you assign commands to keyboard shortcuts you make, that is one class of programs (i like Macro Express for that).

if you are talking about a little scripting language to let you automate stuff and do things, then a program like AutoHotKey is what you want.

There is of course some overlap, the keyboard-centric apps have some scripting, and the scripting centric apps have some hotkey configuration, but figuring out which is your main interest will definitely help narrow down the field.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: AbteriX on August 23, 2005, 04:33 PM
Sorry, i don't know this.
And i didn't stop even the time how long a macro execution lasts.


> a 'bottleneck' caused by a keyboard setting in the registry

I think macro tools didn't to be interested in thoose settings
because that settings are for users. (could be i didn't know that for real)

I think it's depend how this macro tool are programmed
and how they could speed up there workflow.

And most macro tools have an setting for such delay.

You could ask Chris from www.autohotkey.com such questions better  :)
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: kfitting on August 23, 2005, 05:38 PM
While we're talking AutoHotKey, don't forget AutoIt (http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/).  ;)

Kevin
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on August 23, 2005, 06:02 PM
quite right, autoit is also fantastic, beautiful, and free.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on August 24, 2005, 01:44 AM
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm using keystroke macros to 'drive' kinematics in my MCAD program, but I'm looking for ways to make this work faster and also to have better control. At the moment I use the macro recording in my Belkin N52 Speedpad.

I'd also like to start playing with scripting languages.

So, to answer your question, Mouser - both, but not necessarily in the same program...

Thanks, all.

Miles

Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on August 24, 2005, 02:18 AM
the real serious advantage of using autohotkey here is that we have skrommel who is not only an incredible expert at the autohotkey scripting language but extremely generous in terms of being willing to help people write scripts.  definitely something to consider..
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on August 24, 2005, 02:38 AM
It's very useful to know that, thanks.

I had a quick look at the autohotkey and Autoit sites - they both look amazing.

I'll download and play once I've done a days work :)

Thanks

Miles
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: kfitting on August 24, 2005, 05:41 AM
Yeah AutoIt and AutoHotKey are two amazing utilities.  I tend to use AutoHotKey more for "shell tweaks" (hotkeys, always-running windows enhancements) and AutoIt for scripting.  AutoHotKey has a very simple and powerful text replacement/hotkey configuration that AutoIt just seems to make overly complex (relatively I mean).  But, I just cant get used to the AutoHotKey syntax!  I know it's supposed to make things easier, and maybe it is if you've never coded before, but it seems much more fluid (like, sometimes variables need to be enclosed by %, sometimes not, sometimes you need to use :=, other times just =).  I like the more rigid structure of AutoIt.  It's closer to the VBA I'm accustomed to. 

All that blabber having been said, as mouser said, they are both extremely powerful and I'm not sure one is "better" than the other.  Test drive them both for a while and see what you use each one for!!

Kevin
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on August 31, 2005, 04:23 AM
The answer to macro programs seems to be:

"PowerPro.  Now, how much time are you prepared to put into getting to grips with it?"

PowerPro, freeware macro program for Windows
http://powerpro.webeddie.com/index.html

Beginners user group / mailing list:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/powerpro-beginners/

Main mailing list:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/power-pro/

PC Rangers third-party PowerPro support
http://powerpro.pcrei.com
Contains archives of the user groups, the "Wink" based Flash demos, etc.


--
Robert Bull

Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: zridling on August 31, 2005, 07:17 AM
My vote goes to AutoHotkey (http://www.AutoHotkey.com/) all the way, whether for keyboard shortcuts, shortkeys, controlling parts of Windows, running commands inside of programs, or general macros. Macro Express is great, but seems to me you're paying $40 for its GUI. Nothing wrong with that if you need it. But AutoHotkey is so simple you'll be surprised at what it can do and how fast it does it all. And the beauty of it is that it's nothing more than a text file.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on August 31, 2005, 07:58 AM
Doesn't AutoHotKey keep its macros in the Registry?  I'd rather avoid that.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: AbteriX on August 31, 2005, 10:47 AM
Doesn't AutoHotKey keep its macros in the Registry?  I'd rather avoid that.
-rjbull (August 31, 2005, 07:58 AM)
no no. AHK works with scripts in a text file.
You put all your commands in an text.ahk file and start this if you have AHK installed (or even only unpackt)
You could also create an executable from this script with the AHK-Interpreter includet. Less overhead.
Than you could even sell this .exe for your own "bargain" (is this the right word???).


Please see
http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/Tutorial.htm
[Select]
Creating a script
Each script is a plain text file containing commands to be executed by the program (AutoHotkey.exe).
 A script may also contain hotkeys and hotstrings, or even consist entirely of them.
However, in the absence of hotkeys and hotstrings, a script will perform its commands
sequentially from top to bottom the moment it is launched.

To create a new script:

Open Windows Explorer and select a folder of your choice.
Pull down the File menu and choose New >> AutoHotkey Script (or Text Document).
Type a name for the file, ensuring that it ends in .ahk. For example: Test.ahk
Right-click the file and choose Edit Script.
On a new blank line, type the following:
#z::Run www.google.com
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on September 01, 2005, 04:35 AM
Doesn't AutoHotKey keep its macros in the Registry?  I'd rather avoid that.
-rjbull (August 31, 2005, 07:58 AM)
no no. AHK works with scripts in a text file.
-Stefan (August 31, 2005, 10:47 AM)

Thanks, Stefan.  Looks like I misremembered.  I used the search function at http://www.tinyapps.org to check.  It apparently makes one Registry key to associate AHK files with AutoKey.  That's not too bad...

OTOH, I'm a registered user of Macro Express and seem to be using PowerPro for now.  How many macor programs do I need?    :)

Very considerate of you to put up your "Stefan's House" notice - in English  :)
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: erosolmi on September 20, 2005, 04:21 AM
Hi to all.
We have recently introduced a new script engine called thinBasic.
It can be used both for shell scripting and web server side scripting.
Web server site scripting is under construction mainly in the area of serve session variables persistence.

For those interested, more information can be found at www.thinbasic.com (http://www.thinbasic.com)
An under construction help online can be seen here (http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=1&meid=32) under Documentation area.

For any help, suggestion, bug report you can use our forum.

Regards
Eros
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on September 20, 2005, 08:54 AM
hi eros -
thinBasic looks like a really fun project.  very nice looking website too!
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: erosolmi on September 20, 2005, 09:16 AM
Thanks.

We are just at the beginning. thinBasic is evolving continuosly every week.
Our effort is to keep the language very close to BASIC like syntax but at the same time adding many functionalities with "module" functionality.
Modules are special dlls loaded dynamically and automatically (if needed) at runtime by the script engine.
We will release very soon SDK interface in order to be able to develop personalized 3rd party thinBasic modules.

Hope this project will be of interest for other people who likes scripting.

Regards
Eros
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Miles on September 20, 2005, 09:18 AM
I love the development progressometers  :)

Miles
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Carol Haynes on September 20, 2005, 09:53 AM
Another (not cheap) alternative is MacroWorks Advanced Scripting Edition. This has full "Visual Basic for Applications" compatible scripting support.

See http://www.pitrinec.com for details
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Veign on September 20, 2005, 10:16 AM
Another choice is Macro Scheduler - also not free:
http://www.mjtnet.com/

Very powerful scripting language....

Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: Nighted on September 26, 2005, 03:32 PM
No one mentioned Hot Keyboard Pro!  :o This is shareware btw...

This is hands down, the best keyboard shortcut/macro app I've ever used and had the priviledge to own. Sure AutoHotKey is cool but it is more for the coder/power user and lacks the intuitiveness of presets that the average (majority) GUI dependant user has grown used to.

# avoid typing the same text again and again (phone, homepage link, address, greetings, singatures, ...) in the messages, documents, web forms
# stop wasting your time on mouse movements searching for an application in a cascade of menus and folders
# keep your desktop clean (photo of your dog looks better than 100 icons)
# control computer sounds instantly from any app (somebody's calling? mute music!)
# open favorite web pages with a single hotkey press
# manage sound tracks in the computer cd player or even WinAmp MP3 player
# build a sequence of actions and execute it with a shortcut
# record keystrokes and play them back a specified number of times
# keep the same hotkeys on different computers with import/export feature, or even synchronize macros over the network
# use Hot Keyboard on quite old computers and modern ones (Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP are supported)

(http://www.hot-keyboard.com/images/scrsht3.gif)
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on September 26, 2005, 03:36 PM
i used and like hot keyboard pro a lot - a very good app.
(though i have switched to Macro Express, i can't remember why now).
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on September 27, 2005, 09:42 AM
Yeah AutoIt and AutoHotKey are two amazing utilities.  I tend to use AutoHotKey more for "shell tweaks" (hotkeys, always-running windows enhancements) and AutoIt for scripting.  AutoHotKey has a very simple and
-kfitting (August 24, 2005, 05:41 AM)

What do you define as a "script?"  What I'm thinking of is that in PowerPro - *IF* I remember correctly - you can't mix mouse operations with keyboard commands without putting them in a script, albeit you can create operations directly that use only one or the other.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: johnk on October 12, 2005, 07:15 PM
As others have said, it does all depend what you want a macro program to do, but for the basic turbo-charged keyboard shortcut program I really like Activewords. Nicely designed program that's surprisingly powerful when you get to know it, and has a helpful community. $49. (http://www.activewords.com/ for details. I also use Macro Express.

In fact if I had to name the programs that keep me wedded to Windows, Activewords and Macro Express would be two of them. I'd be hard pressed to think of many others - maybe Roboform. All three do wonders for my productivity.


John
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: kfitting on October 12, 2005, 07:38 PM
My definition of script (come up with on my own so don't get too hung up over it!) is just a file that can be run over and over to do a certain task... sort of an algorithm.  Whether you use mouse commands, keyboard commands, or a combination, scripts take actions and do them again and again.  I've written many scripts for Exel VBA to do repititive tasks like comparing, gathering data from other sheets, or even just changing menus.  I've also written Excel scripts for sorting (Stupid 1,10,2,3,... sort order!).  At work, a coworker and I have written scripts that extract data from AutoCAD drawings or draw AutoCAD drawings (we use AutoCAD LT so we have to kluge it together, usually through Excel). 

Scripts do things you do so often you don't want to them again!

Kevin
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on October 12, 2005, 09:21 PM
johk (and any other Activewords users) - im really interested in hearing about where Activewords is better then Find+Run Robot.
If you have any thoughts on it, would love to hear about it on the Find+Run Robot section of the forum.

there isn't a perfect overlap in the programs, as there are probably things that ActiveWords does that Find+Run Robot doesn't want to try to do, but i know there is a lot of common ground and I'd like to hear about any areas that ActiveWords users think F+R could be improved.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on October 13, 2005, 04:24 AM
My definition of script (come up with on my own so don't get too hung up over it!) is just a file that can be run over and over to do a certain task... sort of an algorithm. 
-kfitting (October 12, 2005, 07:38 PM)

I wasn't thinking too clearly, again...  I suppose what I was wondering was how much work do you have to do from scratch, and how much does the program help you.  Viz., in PowerPro so many things are scripts because you have to know beforehand exactly what actions you want to perform, the right commands to enact them, and not leave anything out.  By contrast, Macro Express can "learn" by watching what you do.  I've found it still isn't perfect, especially when you start tweaking time delays between actions.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on October 13, 2005, 04:53 AM
Most of you probably know PTFB, Press the Freakin' Button, the excellent freeware tool for pressing dialog buttons.  The latest version is now shareware and has been much upgraded to become (yet another) macro program.  Does anyone have any experience with the new extended version?

Current link  http://www.tlhouse.co.uk/pc_software.shtml


N.B.  I shall be on holiday 15-30 Oct., far, far from a computer!  :D
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: kfitting on October 13, 2005, 05:40 AM
rjbull:  AutoIt is more of a language, but it does have a macro recorder.  I'm 80% sure AutoHotkey does as well.  AutoHotkey has a LOT more control for hotkeys, and in that application it doesnt take much reading to get the hang of.  Both of these macro languages are kind of like VBA in office: you can write everything yourself and do some very powerful stuff, or you can record a macro to quickly do repititve tasks. 

Kevin
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: rjbull on October 13, 2005, 11:06 AM
kfitting:  Thanks, that's clearer, though I have no experience of VB.  I'm not ig on hotkeys - prefer a menu, I think - so maybe AutoIt might be a better choice.

Did you know that there's a new version of AutoHotKey, hot off the press?
"The latest version is 1.0.40.00 (released October 11, 2005"
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: SneakAttack on October 14, 2005, 03:42 AM
AutoHotKey www.AutoHotkey.com
PowerPro http://powerpro.webeddie.com/
MacroMaker http://members.ij.net/anthonymathews/MacroMaker.htm
AceMacro www.hiteksoftware.com
Makro Tool  and RunCMD http://hintenaus.at
WindowsScript http://home1.gte.net/res0mbu5/windows.htm
-Stefan (August 23, 2005, 07:57 AM)

You forgot to mention WireKeys - http://www.wiredplane.com/wirekeys/
It has scriptiong engine (JScript, VB). You can control windows and applications from scripts using additional commands: For example you can send messages to windows with specific class (if you are a programmer :) it is a good way to avoid creating simple applications instead of simple macros) and many other things. Pre-created hotkey slots for thouthands actions (minimize window to tray, ontop, etc,etc), all with some unique features - for example, after minimizing window to tray you can still acces it`s *main* menu - it is reattached to tray icon. i never seen such function in other applications of that kind. hotkeys can include multimedia buttons and such nifty thigs as "double press". For example you can assign action to pressing Ctrl-C-C. I am using "Close active application" via "Press Esc 3 times" hotkey, so pressing Escape 3 times i am closing applications that do not support esc as closing button at all...

Some other features: Additional clipboard (each with its own hotkey for pasting/copying and history of use), history of clips for standard clipboard, keyboard/mouse recording (can be even recorded into JScript SendKey sequence). inline text calculator (type 2+2= in any window, select this text and press hotkey - and it will be replaced by arithmetical result! not only arithmetical of course - all Math operations are available). or you can select link or word "notepad" and press hotkey to start selected as it was typed in the command line. By the way, the most significant feature with macros - they can be used for simple text processing! in other word WireKeys can use selected text as input for macros and replace selection with macro execution result. The most simple example (for cpp developers) is adding comment separators /* */ to selected block of code... hotkeys can be scheduled to run at secified time, many features, in other words

This tool was made by developer and for developers.
P.S. sorry for bad enaglish - i am from Russia %)
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: mouser on October 14, 2005, 03:49 AM
just checking the nice wiredplane website - wirekeys also supports some nice plugins and has an sdk for writing them.

they also offer free registration if you help them translate and they have some freeware tools too.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: CGA on October 29, 2005, 03:56 PM
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Automat, http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/user/?CFID=525785&CFTOKEN=13472334 (http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/user/?CFID=525785&CFTOKEN=13472334). I've tried alot of macro programs but for me this is the only one that does what I want. The others are mainly lacking in the triggering department. Automate has an extensive amount of options for triggering and has a very nice interface. A little heavy on the resources and a bit expensive but very well worth it.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: brotherS on October 31, 2005, 05:31 AM
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Automat, http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/user/?CFID=525785&CFTOKEN=13472334 (http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/user/?CFID=525785&CFTOKEN=13472334). I've tried alot of macro programs but for me this is the only one that does what I want. The others are mainly lacking in the triggering department. Automate has an extensive amount of options for triggering and has a very nice interface. A little heavy on the resources and a bit expensive but very well worth it.
-CGA (October 29, 2005, 03:56 PM)
Why nobody mentioned it? Well, I think it's because the community is pretty small and because it's not freeware? :D (At least that's what it looks like)

Read https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=1167.0 ?
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: CGA on October 31, 2005, 02:40 PM
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Automat, http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/user/?CFID=525785&CFTOKEN=13472334 (http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/user/?CFID=525785&CFTOKEN=13472334). I've tried alot of macro programs but for me this is the only one that does what I want. The others are mainly lacking in the triggering department. Automate has an extensive amount of options for triggering and has a very nice interface. A little heavy on the resources and a bit expensive but very well worth it.
-CGA (October 29, 2005, 03:56 PM)
Why nobody mentioned it? Well, I think it's because the community is pretty small and because it's not freeware? :D (At least that's what it looks like)

Read https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=1167.0 ?
-brotherS (October 31, 2005, 05:31 AM)

Well the community might be small but it sure looks like most here know a thing or two about software ;) Neither of the programs that Miles mentioned as possible candidates in his post are freeware so... :huh:

Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: brotherS on November 01, 2005, 01:47 AM
Welcome, CGA!

That's true, but the bigger the community the bigger the chance you may get help when you run into problems or just want to explore new territory. That's true for every kind of software IMHO.
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: CGA on November 01, 2005, 02:12 AM
Agreed  :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: Macro programs - advice sought...
Post by: iphigenie on February 16, 2007, 09:25 AM
I am a registered user of wirekeys but mostly for all the features it adds when dealing with text (changing case, sorting lines, running text as command etc.), i haven't tried doing any complicated macros with it. I like how the license allows you to install it on your home and work computer and laptop - quite explicitely so.

It's the kind of program that makes you feel bad cause you realise don't use even 10% of its features...

I might have a look see what i can report

PS: the same developer has a few other tools. wirenotes (free) might look ugly but it is quite handy within a small network. It is a bit clunky but it does give sticky notes, calendaring and todo list, instant messenging (compatible with other network im or private) shared reminders (send a reminder to someone else, such as "take your medication at 2pm"). There are of course many tools that do something similar on the sticky notes and network messenging front. I gave my mum the free version of wirechanger and she just loves it. Again not the slickest admin interface but it does work and the ability to configure what images are used, by collection or by image (rather than just point to a folder) is quite good for a free tool. I haven't looked at the pay for one.