| Everyday each one of us makes thousands of | | | | generation macro recorders are sensitive to |
| keystrokes and mouse strokes, and repeating | | | | this. |
| the same key and mouse strokes every hour on | | | | |
| the hour. To save time and energy on doing | | | | So how does one choose a macro recorder? |
| these repeated tasks, Macro Recorders are | | | | |
| used. | | | | Some of the things to keep in mind are: |
| | | | |
| Before we go to Macro Recorders, the first | | | | 1. Accuracy of the recorder: The recorder |
| question is - What is a Macro? | | | | should be able to accurately replay the tasks |
| | | | keeping in consideration the changes in |
| A macro is a series of commands and | | | | location of files and desktop area changes. |
| instructions that allows you to perform | | | | |
| repeated tasks in response to a single | | | | 2. Ease of use: I guess this is self |
| command or keystroke. In other words, you can | | | | explanatory. The recorder should be as easy |
| hit one letter and have the macro execute a | | | | as 1-2-3. The recorder should be able to help |
| set of commands. | | | | you create tasks in minutes without spending |
| | | | time figuring out how to record the task. |
| A Macro Recorder is a software that records | | | | |
| these commands and allows you to play them | | | | 3. IE Plug-in: The recorder should have the |
| back at a later time. The main advantage of | | | | ability to wait till web page loads, before |
| using a macro recorder is that it allows you | | | | it carries out tasks like auto login, |
| not only to play back routine tasks but also | | | | generate reports, etc. |
| complex tasks. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Ability to run Macros faster: Sometimes |
| Most traditional macro recorders do not | | | | when the task recorded is big; the time taken |
| analyze or understand what the user recorded. | | | | to run the macro is also more. Some recorders |
| Which meant that if there was any change in | | | | have the ability to speed up the task. If you |
| the user's recorded environment i.e. say the | | | | have big tasks you want to run, keeping this |
| location of the file changed or the user's | | | | criterion in mind would help in choosing the |
| desktop area changed, the recorder will not | | | | right macro recorder. |
| playback the macro correctly. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Ability to run macros that are file |
| The new generation of macro recorders is | | | | specific or global: Sometimes, you might want |
| intelligent; which means that even if the | | | | to run a macro you created on file A to run |
| location of the file changes or the desktop | | | | with file B. It is important to check whether |
| area changes, the playback is flawless. Many | | | | the recorder you selected handles this |
| macro recorders also allow you to edit your | | | | criterion. |
| tasks and create them through their editors | | | | |
| rather than recording them directly. This | | | | 6. Other features to keep in mind are: |
| makes the software more flexible and more | | | | Ability to create .exe files (if you want to |
| complex tasks can be automated. A chain of | | | | run the same task on multiple machines |
| tasks can also be created and automated. | | | | without installing the recorder on all |
| | | | machines); security features available; |
| More advanced macro recorders have a feature | | | | ability to batch process and batch script. |
| where you can create executables (".exe"). | | | | |
| These .exe files are standalone and can be | | | | In conclusion, macro recorders are not only |
| conveniently and independently run from any | | | | for advanced computer users, but also for any |
| computer without installation of the said | | | | PC users in general. For those at home, using |
| macro recorder software. | | | | a PC as a pass time, a simple task like |
| | | | shutting down the PC at a pre-defined time |
| A serious consideration is the security | | | | can be automated, saving electricity bills. |
| aspect. Many macro recorders save the | | | | So whatever your profession and whatever your |
| recorded macro in a plain text format with no | | | | PC usage, there is a macro recorder out there |
| security provision, making it easily | | | | to meet your criteria. Just keep in mind your |
| accessible to anyone. What is required is | | | | requirement and the tips for choosing the |
| some sort of password protection. Many new | | | | right one. |