Macro Reviews Part I
May 10, 2006 8:31 pm Product ReviewsDecided to drop in a few quick reviews before i get into the meat of things. I am quite methodical in my assessment of these tools an how I use them. Basically whay I’m doing it using each one ot create tasks that I already need automation for. Which in my case is mostly in the pormotional side of thngs. Using linktator to get links, spidering and adding them, etc.
So this way, I’m doing useful tests which if they work will have me set up th eprocesses I need.
So…
Macro Express: This one I bought, not caus I wanted to, cos I had to. I had used up the 30 day free trial and I reemember it recorded my actions and I wanted to dig deeper so I had to buy it for $39.95. Well……it aint worth it. the only thing good about it is the recorder. Actually its not bad. The way these programs work is either by recording your mose and keyboard strokes, or by programming commands that will perform those strokes for you. After quick tests, it’s obvious that programming them is the far better option since macros are dumb and if you record yourself opening up a screen and clicking a menu, if you happen to move that screen or its position in the start menu, the macro will open something else up.
So the first test is what “macro menu” is there? Well Macro Express has A LOT. and that may seem impressive, but……they do not flow as well as some of the otheres.
Robotask: – sucks. It’s $99.95. Not worth it. macro Express is better. They are about the same functionality, but Macro express helps you set the mouse movements better than Robotask does. it doesnt give me an easy way to capture mouse co-ordinates. I gave up after the first two comands when I could immediately tell it doesnt have as much features as Automate Anywhere. i thought it would be between robotask and Automate6. i was wrong. Its gonna be between Automate 6 & Automation anywhere. hell…Robotaks has a 184 page manual!!! and it dont do all the shit AA can. Too bad, but hey thats the way it goes. One of my main tests is whether a product is fairly intuitive from the ghet go…ie WITHOUT having to refer to a huge manual. Robotask’s is HUUUUGE and has way more detail than I care for. I prefer a progam I can almost start using immediately.
The theres Workspace Macro Pro: AHA…now we’re talking some real macro power. The level of detail is beeter….even though….you have less “macro menu options” . The thing is its in the same price range as macro express, and its waaaay better than macro express or robotask, so in the $40 – $100 price range, Workspace macro is the one to take. Every menu in the macro has a level of detail to it that makes it seem like it has more options that the immediately obvious ones on the left hand menu. so of thesr three, Workspace Macro is by far the best…even more so that Robotask.
Next review will be between Automation Anywhere (workspace Macro’s “big brother”) and Automate 6.
By the way i found another couple lol:
Quick Macros, and
WinBatch
