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Previously, on Automate Your Life, we discussed the time-saving
value of AutoHotKeys. If you benefited from those time saving tips and even
started using some AHKs, good for you! (Tell us about it below.)
 Why not take it a step further? Instead of using the keys on
your keyboard, consider using a mouse that has macro functionality built into
it. This way you don't have to take your hand off the mouse to do certain
tasks. Again, if you can scratch out a repetitive movement from your daily work
it may not seem like much, but that time adds up. Plus it saves your sanity -
who likes doing mundane tasks over and over when you don't really have to?
Macro-enabled mice are especially useful for when you have many different
macros pre-loaded, ready to use at any time. How do you do that? I'm glad you
asked.
To make your AHKs start when Windows starts, you simply need
to save them in the Windows Startup folder. If you're running Windows 7, that
folder would be C:\Users\~YOURNAME~\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup. If you're running a different version of Windows, check this
site out to see where you should save those AHKs. Once you have your AHKs
saved in that folder they will start when Windows starts and respond to the
respective keys you've mapped them to. You'll never have to open them again -- they're
ready to go. Once you've reached this level of AHK prowess, it only makes sense
to get a macro-ready mouse!
The mouse I chose for myself is the Logitech
G600 (pictured above). It's advertised as a gaming mouse, focused on MMO (Massive
Multiplayer Online) games. However, the level of efficiency, accuracy, and
versatility it offers can certainly be taken advantage of in the workplace as
well. The software is very easy to use too. One cool feature of the mouse is
that it has on-board memory, allowing you to store your macros on the mouse.
This way you do not need to transfer any profiles to a different computer. The
macros you've programmed are ready to go with any computer you plug it into.
Setting up these profiles is very easily done
too. As you can see in the picture to the right, I have all the buttons of the mouse
set up for my purposes now. If any of my regular uses for macros change, I can
easily make the revisions through this program. You've got all those buttons
ready, and then if you hold the G-Shift button, they all change purpose into the
G-Shift set of key mappings. So you essentially have about 30 actions all in
one quick device. I'm not trying to plug for Logitech. You can get this kind of
mouse from a number
of
different
companies.
 It can get pretty involved, so don't get too crazy. We just
like to see efficiency and innovation in the workplace. For engineers macros
can be useful for CAD, Excel, and in use with other software and development
tools. Do you have any tools at work that automate certain processes? What
macros or other tools have you used to make your work run smoother, quicker, or more
efficient?
(Image credit: engadget.com, cyborggaming.com, tweaktown.com)
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Re: Automate Your Life: Use a Macro-Enabled Mouse!
