App Request: Scripting/Macro App (mySkin macros)

[userwaldo]

I have mySkin and it has macro capabilities, which I find very useful. The problem is you can only assign them to a hard button.

I would like to see some sort of macro program or scripting program that would allow me to create simple DAs so that I can automate tasks.

For example, I would like to be able to setup a series interface clicks, such as selecting a menu, delay, then select edit, delay, then select all text, delay, then copy to clipboard.

This would be written in a macro program, and then once I have it perfect, I would hit compile, and it would produce a DA, that I could then run from my DA Launcher.

There are several reasons for this. One reason I want this, rather than the hard button approach is that I already have multiple programs linked to my hard buttons and adding more functions, especially ones that I wouldn't be using all of the time, might be confusing. Another reason is that I could automate such a tast, and use a timer program to launch that DA at a specific time to perform a task.

I know that there are programs for automating tasks, but I'm looking for something I could run manually or automate. I'm kind of basing the design request on the windows AutoHoyKey program, which allows you to automate text entry, GUI functions, etc. I don't need the same level of functionality on my Palm, and in fact I think that the macro language in mySkin already does what I want, I'm just looking at allowing me to create a DA from that script.

Anyway, I don't know if anyone else one else would find something like this useful, for if there already is such a program, I would be interested in trying it out.

[vovka1965]

I have mySkin and it has macro capabilities, which I find very useful. The problem is you can only assign them to a hard button.

I would like to see some sort of macro program or scripting program that would allow me to create simple DAs so that I can automate tasks.

For example, I would like to be able to setup a series interface clicks, such as selecting a menu, delay, then select edit, delay, then select all text, delay, then copy to clipboard.

This would be written in a macro program, and then once I have it perfect, I would hit compile, and it would produce a DA, that I could then run from my DA Launcher.

There are several reasons for this. One reason I want this, rather than the hard button approach is that I already have multiple programs linked to my hard buttons and adding more functions, especially ones that I wouldn't be using all of the time, might be confusing. Another reason is that I could automate such a tast, and use a timer program to launch that DA at a specific time to perform a task.

I know that there are programs for automating tasks, but I'm looking for something I could run manually or automate. I'm kind of basing the design request on the windows AutoHoyKey program, which allows you to automate text entry, GUI functions, etc. I don't need the same level of functionality on my Palm, and in fact I think that the macro language in mySkin already does what I want, I'm just looking at allowing me to create a DA from that script.

Anyway, I don't know if anyone else one else would find something like this useful, for if there already is such a program, I would be interested in trying it out.
A combination of MacroPlay and Apt should fill all your needs

[bh77a]

Actually, the perfect choice here is pToolSet. Check it out at paulcomputing.com. Just about the most flexible piece of software available on the Palm. It has scripting plus oh so many other features... it will replace a good number of apps on your Palm.

[I love my mom]

I have mySkin and it has macro capabilities, which I find very useful. The problem is you can only assign them to a hard button.

I would like to see some sort of macro program or scripting program that would allow me to create simple DAs so that I can automate tasks.

For example, I would like to be able to setup a series interface clicks, such as selecting a menu, delay, then select edit, delay, then select all text, delay, then copy to clipboard.

This would be written in a macro program, and then once I have it perfect, I would hit compile, and it would produce a DA, that I could then run from my DA Launcher.

There are several reasons for this. One reason I want this, rather than the hard button approach is that I already have multiple programs linked to my hard buttons and adding more functions, especially ones that I wouldn't be using all of the time, might be confusing. Another reason is that I could automate such a tast, and use a timer program to launch that DA at a specific time to perform a task.

I know that there are programs for automating tasks, but I'm looking for something I could run manually or automate. I'm kind of basing the design request on the windows AutoHoyKey program, which allows you to automate text entry, GUI functions, etc. I don't need the same level of functionality on my Palm, and in fact I think that the macro language in mySkin already does what I want, I'm just looking at allowing me to create a DA from that script.

Anyway, I don't know if anyone else one else would find something like this useful, for if there already is such a program, I would be interested in trying it out.

Ironic :) I'm planning such a release.

[bh77a]

Ironic :) I'm planning such a release.Interesting... how close are you to such a release?

[technical1]

Interesting Pt2

Apt 1.0 was released on May 2 & the author is close to releasing 1.1 w/more than just one or two fixes, but new features. The author is considering a special trigger to work along w/Pruss' Accessorizer, which could create on-the-fly DA's & btw, Accessorizer allows DAs it makes to be popped over your current app, & then return to it (tapping on home icon in DIA) & Apt is chock full of macro capabilities & much more.

Don't know how pTools &/or MacroPlay compare to Apt, but topically speaking, it does macros (& much more, i.e. per-app preferences, tap/stroke launching, popup menus, etc.) & even if the author doesn't include the accessorizer trigger, one could use the standalone Accessorizer together w/Apt & achieve the same (I started using MetaDA & Accessorizer, very empowering; not quite multitasking, but certainly w/Accessorizer, limited multi-window capabilities).

Things are getting exciting again in the Palm world; w/loads of new robust functionality coming out in all of these apps.

[thierry2064]

@Technical1,
The software that Ilmm plans to issue would be even more useful to Apt users. It would allow to create custom DAs which could be called from Apt, Accessorizer is not useful for this. It is true that Apt has already excellent macro capabilities, this would just improve if Ilmm releases his app.

[Pgr]

Which app is this that ILMM is promising? Are you talking about Event Launcher 3.0?

What exactly does it do? I'm always interested in this kind of stuff... :)

[Pent]

Apt let's you run a macro from all sorts of system events (app launching, form exiting, time, DIA came up, hard button pressed, etc etc etc) as well as assign them to keypresses, pen strokes, taps, grafitti etc etc I don't understand why you want to create a DA as an in-between stage.

Pent

[thierry2064]

I agree Apt is excellent at macros and triggers. But there is some limitation though, let's take an example : I have macros in Mykbd, that connect to my webmail, type login and password, and connect. I have 4 different mail boxes (work and home together). I would also like to connect to my bank account and other web sites.
Because of the limitation of number of action lines to 14 and number of typed characters to 4 (in Apt 1.0 at least), such a macro would take more than 14 lines in Apt (including 8 lines just to type the webmail address), so I cannot configure it.
If I could call my Mykbd macro from Apt (but I got no answer from Dr Pruss), or use a custom DA made with the application that Ilmm plans (this is what I understood he is planning), I could check all my webmails with an Apt configured button.
Of course if we had a macro/strings database in Apt, I would not need anything else...

[trgeoff]

Macros "written" in Macroplay sound similar to those in mykbd as far as their ease of creation (and Macroplay is also more flexible (in terms of sequence length) than Apt for macro creation). Because Macroplay macros can be assigned Command-bar shortcuts (one for each of 23 letters and the numerals), by using this feature in combination with Apt you could pull up a list of up to 14 macros with one HK press.

Ive already assigned all my main macroplay macros to HK1 using Apt, along with just pulling up the command bar itself. So it's a lot easier than having my various macros spread around the keyboard.

The weaknesses:

* The names of the macros in the list are just, as an example,

1. Cmd 5
2. Cmd q
3. Cmd k
etc

ie not very informative!

* Even though each macro takes up only 1 line of Apt real estate, if you have a lot of macros, this will still strain the Apt system, at least if you want to call up your macros from anywhere (as opposed to within a certain app). But Pent is addressing this issue now, and sounds like he will have a solution soon. But the creation of very long macros as you want to do, stills sounds like something easier done with a designated macro-recording app like Macroplay

cheers

geoff

[technical1]

geoff,

(this is me being humorous, pls don't flame)

Shame on you! Really, after spending & spending on Apt & other stuff recently, your well expressed explanation of MacroPlay & the strategies-of-use vis-a-vis Apt is making me want to go & buy MacroPlay... a guy can go broke, even w/small purchases, if there are enuf of them.....

But seriously, your comments here & on Apt wiki are much appreciated & I'll file MP idea away for proper consideration. (OT: I'm not sure, but I think your comments on wiki may have helped me understand tags, which goes to macros in general & MacroPlay, so it isn't all that 'OT' ).

[technical1]

@Technical1,
... create custom DAs which could be called from Apt

Thanks thierry, this sounds intriguing. How would Ilmm's app be visible to Apt? I thought that was why there was a prob. w/Accessorizer...

TIA,

[I love my mom]

The application I'm planning is called DABuilder, and goes a little deeper than just DA Macros. It lets you create your own DAs from scratch. You can even design the DAs with a drag and drop form designer.

I'm not giving release estimates, but keep an eye out.

[danceman]

wow, this is looking like great idea

[vovka1965]

The application I'm planning is called DABuilder, and goes a little deeper than just DA Macros. It lets you create your own DAs from scratch. You can even design the DAs with a drag and drop form designer.

I'm not giving release estimates, but keep an eye out.
This is freeware or shareware that you are planning?

[scottl]

The application I'm planning is called DABuilder ...<cut>... lets you create your own DAs from scratch.Wow! Very exciting. I can't wait to see what this and Apt will be able to do as a team.

[I love my mom]

This is freeware or shareware that you are planning?

Shareware. Planned price is $14.95. If Apt and DABuilder play well together, I may cut buyers of Apt a discount on DABuilder.

[Pent]

Shareware. Planned price is $14.95. If Apt and DABuilder play well together, I may cut buyers of Apt a discount on DABuilder.

DABuilder sounds like a really fun app for playing with!

Edit: hurry up and finish it already!

Let me know if there is any angle for the apps working together to improve the experience, passing launch arguments or whatever.

Pent

[scottl]

Awww... I feel I'm witnessing the start of a wonderful development relationship here! :)

BTW, the possible discount is a very generous idea Luke.

[JavaJiveJump]

Apt totally rocks! :D

[Pgr]

OT, what happened to your Pilot-DB project, Luke? Did you give up? :(

It always thought it was a very hard objective, starting from such a large pre-existing code base, and I was impressed that you were taking it on... but perhaps it was too much, wasn't it?

[I love my mom]

OT, what happened to your Pilot-DB project, Luke? Did you give up? :(

It always thought it was a very hard objective, starting from such a large pre-existing code base, and I was impressed that you were taking it on... but perhaps it was too much, wasn't it?

No no, I promised it to you guys so it will happen. But DABuilder started before Pilot-DB, as did Event Launcher 3.0. I have an obligation to finish what I've begun :)

I will start working on DB actively when one of those two projects is completed.

[enotar]

Is DABuilder project dead?

Thanks

[cyberdude]

Is DABuilder project dead?

Thanks
No. Luke did a complete rewrite and we are currently under beta. The app looks very promising. I suggest you email luke with ideas for DAs you would like to see (basic tasks that could be made into DAs that is, e.g., file copy/deletion). I have sent him a bunch of suggestions some of which have been implemented. The more people suggest a particular task, the more likely it gets put on the list.

[enotar]

Macros "written" in Macroplay sound similar to those in mykbd as far as their ease of creation (and Macroplay is also more flexible (in terms of sequence length) than Apt for macro creation). Because Macroplay macros can be assigned Command-bar shortcuts (one for each of 23 letters and the numerals), by using this feature in combination with Apt you could pull up a list of up to 14 macros with one HK press.

Ive already assigned all my main macroplay macros to HK1 using Apt, along with just pulling up the command bar itself. So it's a lot easier than having my various macros spread around the keyboard.

The weaknesses:

* The names of the macros in the list are just, as an example,

1. Cmd 5
2. Cmd q
3. Cmd k
etc

ie not very informative!

* Even though each macro takes up only 1 line of Apt real estate, if you have a lot of macros, this will still strain the Apt system, at least if you want to call up your macros from anywhere (as opposed to within a certain app). But Pent is addressing this issue now, and sounds like he will have a solution soon. But the creation of very long macros as you want to do, stills sounds like something easier done with a designated macro-recording app like Macroplay

cheers

geoff

The combination is amazingly powerful!
Great stuff;tkz