Automating Desktop Tasks in XP

http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/04/12/automate_xp.html

AutoMate, from Network Automation--This tool features drag-and-drop macro creation by letting you drag a macro action onto a macro; this usually opens a dialog box providing you with additional options for configuring the action.

Macro Express, from Insight Software Solutions--This tool is quite easy to use, and once you've created a macro you can easily customize it. If you assign a hot key sequence to a macro, you can also limit the macro's operation to within specified programs. That way, if you accidentally press the hot key sequence from some other program, you won't get unexpected (and often unwanted) results.

EZ Macros, from American Systems--This utility uses a wizard to guide you through the steps of creating a macro and lets you display a menu of macros from within a macro. The wizard might make you think this tool is simplistic, but under the hood it's actually quite powerful.

Automation Anywhere, from Tethys Solutions--This program includes a wizard, conditional commands, email notifications, the creation of automation scripts, and many other power features in addition to basic keystroke/mouse move logging. I like the interface for this program and find it a powerful tool for automating tasks ranging from data entry to database copying.

Workspace Macro Pro, also from Tethys Solutions--This tool is a very easy-to-use macro recorder and includes a macro language, action filters, and a scheduler for advanced users. There is also a standard edition of this tool, called Workspace Macro, with fewer features for users who don't need the full capability of the professional version.

That's a quick overview of what I've tried in the field of desktop automation for my Windows XP workstation. Feel free to use the Talkback feature at the end of this article to mention other macro tools that have helped you be more productive, and let me know some of the tasks for which you find such tools useful.