Tired of copying and pasting the same text over and over while you write? Inexpensive macro software makes it easy to create preprogrammed actions (keyboard shortcuts) that are triggered whenever a certain series of key strokes are typed. These shortcuts can range from something simple -- such as inserting your full name when you type CTRL+SHIFT+N -- to complex strings of specifications you don't want to type in each time you need them. Pasting in predefined text is useful, but these shortcuts can also be configured to do things such as open your email or control your sound system. For example, I prefer using macro software to keep frequently used pieces of HTML code handy whenever I'm working on Web sites.
To get started, all you need is a small piece of software for creating and managing keyboard shortcuts. For Windows computers, I recommend Active Keys from Softarium which is powerful and easy-to-use. You can download and install a trial version, and the registered version will only set you back about $20.
Tip: If you've created a number of detailed keyboard shortcuts using Active Keys, you may want them to be available on other computers you use. To do this, locate the "Shortcuts.aks" file on the computer where your custom keyboard shortcuts were created and copy it to a flash drive or other removable media. (On my system for example, "Shortcuts.aks" can be found in the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Admin\Application Data\Softarium.com\Active Keys). Next, install the Active Keys software on a second computer. Finally, copy your customized "Shortcuts.aks" file from the first computer to overwrite the default version on the second computer.
To get started, all you need is a small piece of software for creating and managing keyboard shortcuts. For Windows computers, I recommend Active Keys from Softarium which is powerful and easy-to-use. You can download and install a trial version, and the registered version will only set you back about $20.
Tip: If you've created a number of detailed keyboard shortcuts using Active Keys, you may want them to be available on other computers you use. To do this, locate the "Shortcuts.aks" file on the computer where your custom keyboard shortcuts were created and copy it to a flash drive or other removable media. (On my system for example, "Shortcuts.aks" can be found in the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Admin\Application Data\Softarium.com\Active Keys). Next, install the Active Keys software on a second computer. Finally, copy your customized "Shortcuts.aks" file from the first computer to overwrite the default version on the second computer.
