Macro Recorder - A Task Automation Tool For Everyone

Everyday each one of us makes thousands ofsort of password protection. Many new generation
keystrokes and mouse strokes, and repeating themacro recorders are sensitive to this.
same key and mouse strokes every hour on theSo how does one choose a macro recorder?
hour. To save time and energy on doing theseSome of the things to keep in mind are:
repeated tasks, Macro Recorders are used.1. Accuracy of the recorder: The recorder should be
Before we go to Macro Recorders, the first questionable to accurately replay the tasks keeping in
is - What is a Macro?consideration the changes in location of files and
A macro is a series of commands and instructionsdesktop area changes.
that allows you to perform repeated tasks in2. Ease of use: I guess this is self explanatory. The
response to a single command or keystroke. In otherrecorder should be as easy as 1-2-3. The recorder
words, you can hit one letter and have the macroshould be able to help you create tasks in minutes
execute a set of commands.without spending time figuring out how to record the
A Macro Recorder is a software that records thesetask.
commands and allows you to play them back at a3. IE Plug-in: The recorder should have the ability to
later time. The main advantage of using a macrowait till web page loads, before it carries out tasks
recorder is that it allows you not only to play backlike auto login, generate reports, etc.
routine tasks but also complex tasks.4. Ability to run Macros faster: Sometimes when the
Most traditional macro recorders do not analyze ortask recorded is big; the time taken to run the macro
understand what the user recorded. Which meantis also more. Some recorders have the ability to
that if there was any change in the user's recordedspeed up the task. If you have big tasks you want
environment i.e. say the location of the file changedto run, keeping this criterion in mind would help in
or the user's desktop area changed, the recorder willchoosing the right macro recorder.
not playback the macro correctly.5. Ability to run macros that are file specific or global:
The new generation of macro recorders is intelligent;Sometimes, you might want to run a macro you
which means that even if the location of the filecreated on file A to run with file B. It is important to
changes or the desktop area changes, the playbackcheck whether the recorder you selected handles
is flawless. Many macro recorders also allow you tothis criterion.
edit your tasks and create them through their editors6. Other features to keep in mind are: Ability to
rather than recording them directly. This makes thecreate .exe files (if you want to run the same task
software more flexible and more complex tasks canon multiple machines without installing the recorder on
be automated. A chain of tasks can also be createdall machines); security features available; ability to
and automated.batch process and batch script.
More advanced macro recorders have a featureIn conclusion, macro recorders are not only for
where you can create executables (".exe"). Theseadvanced computer users, but also for any PC users
.exe files are standalone and can be conveniently andin general. For those at home, using a PC as a pass
independently run from any computer withouttime, a simple task like shutting down the PC at a
installation of the said macro recorder software.pre-defined time can be automated, saving electricity
A serious consideration is the security aspect. Manybills. So whatever your profession and whatever your
macro recorders save the recorded macro in a plainPC usage, there is a macro recorder out there to
text format with no security provision, making itmeet your criteria. Just keep in mind your
easily accessible to anyone. What is required is somerequirement and the tips for choosing the right one.