Easy On-the-Fly Task Automation in Windows
August 24th, 2007 (4:00pm) Samuel Dean 10 Comments
Computer use involves a lot of repetition, and I’ve found that some simple automation tools can save lots of time and hassle. In this post, I’ll discuss some of the easiest low-cost and free ways to automate workaday tasks on a Windows system.
One of my favorite ways to get the job done in Windows is a little application that you can download for free called StrokeIt. The program lets you associate mouse gestures with actions within applications. It’s like a very free-form variation on a macro recorder.
StrokeIt lets you define actions and gestures that you want to use on a per application basis. In other words, within, say, the AIM instant messenger, a gesture may mean one thing, and in your word processor, it may mean another. There are also preconfigured gestures and commands for many applications.
One of my favorite uses of StrokeIt comes when browsing the web. I’ve associated gestures with moving up and down pages, and back-and-forth between pages. It’s much handier than using scrollbars and arrow icons–very useful.
For automating regular tasks within Windows, I’m always surprised by how few people use the Scheduled Tasks module that Microsoft already supplies in Windows’ Control Panel. For example, if you operate a web site you can easily automate site testing and monitoring tasks, or you can automate backup routines. To use the Scheduled Tasks module just double click on Add Scheduled Tasks and follow the prompts in the dialog boxes.
Of course, recording macros is also a great way to automate many tasks. For Windows users, Workspace Macro is a very easy way to record several steps in a task and play them back on demand. It lets you quickly become quite sophisticated at creating your own little stable of handy .EXE files. You can get the program for under $25.
Do you have any tips on automating routine tasks?
10 Comments Post your own comment
Thomas says: August 25th, 2007 4:42am
Mouse gestures for the web are already available from – perhaps – the best browser Opera. And of course it is free of charge.
GigaOM GigaNET Weekend Edition « says: August 26th, 2007 2:10pm
[...] * WebWorkerDaily: Easy On-the-Fly Task Automation in Windows. Start with a little application that you can download for free called StrokeIt. Read more » Share This | Sphere | Topic: Shorts | [...]
DeepThoughts » Blog Archive » Windows Automation. says: August 26th, 2007 6:23pm
[...] the Web Worker Daily which inspired this post, There was of some windows automation software. [...]
Macroing Your Way to Efficiency : Joberu says: August 27th, 2007 1:25am
[...] to the broader world of windows, then there is an app for you. Webworker Daily has a great write up on just that. “Computer use involves a lot of repetition, and I’ve found that some simple [...]
abhijit says: August 27th, 2007 10:46am
There are a couple of other softwares which are among the first I put on any computer I start on.
Strokeit is of course the first.
The next is SlickRun. And finally, Launchy
And of course, Opera for browsing.
Tim says: August 27th, 2007 11:19am
WordPress complains about duplicate comments, but I can not see my comment?
Anyway, I wanted to recommend AutoHotKey and iMacros for Firefox, both very useful free apps.
Tim says: August 27th, 2007 11:23am
comments do not show up if they have links inside?
Nine Ways to Make Your Mouse Roar « Web Worker Daily says: September 13th, 2007 4:00pm
[...] recommend a completely free download you can get called StrokeIt. I wrote about this applet once before on this blog. It allows you to record mouse gestures (such as making the shape of an L) that you [...]
Nine Ways to Make Your Mouse Roar | Virtual Business News says: September 18th, 2007 4:23am
[...] recommend a completely free download you can get called StrokeIt. I wrote about this applet once before on this blog. It allows you to record mouse gestures (such as making the shape of an L) that you [...]
John says: October 2nd, 2007 12:56am
Today i was looking for downloading Strokelt .. din,t match a link , does anyone knows this project is ended ?, try some other applications before but dint need that mutch utilities as most others run .